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Home » Authors » John Siegenthaler, P.E.

Articles by John Siegenthaler, P.E.

Figure 1 Glitch drawing for March The Glitch & The Fix column.
The Glitch & The Fix: March 2025

OK - At a glance: three zone radiant floor heating system

John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
March 31, 2025

Can you spot several details that are either incorrect or missing? Can you propose an alternative design that would accomplish the same goals using less hardware?


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A heat pump is situated outside a modern home with wood siding. The unit is white with two fans and is positioned next to a window. Lush green grass covers the ground in front of the home.
Renewable Heating Design | John Siegenthaler

Versatility in direct-to-load systems, part one

Going direct.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
March 12, 2025

A recent design approach for air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps is "direct-to-load" piping. This method utilizes an inverter-driven scroll compressor, which operates across a wide range of speeds and can handle on/off cycling without the high inrush current typically seen in fixed-speed compressors.


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Isometric piles of scattered puzzle pieces, question marks and businessmen - stock illustration
Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Be prepared to advocate for hydronic-based heat pump systems

Different strokes.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
March 9, 2025

Most heat pumps in North America extract heat from outside air to warm interiors, which is why we call them "air-to-air" heat pumps. However, this term is incomplete, as heat pumps can also provide comfort without relying on forced air delivery.



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Figure 1 glitch drawing for February 2025
The Glitch & The Fix: February 2025

A heat pump heat migration problem

John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
February 28, 2025

A heating contractor is installing two air-to-water heat pumps as the primary heat source in a large home's hydronic system, keeping the existing boiler as backup. However, problems like heat migration into off zones and corrosion of the vent connector suggest design flaws that need to be addressed.



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Air conditioning compressor outside on the floor, surrounded by concrete walls.
Renewable Heating Design | John Siegenthaler

When one heat pump isn’t enough — part two

Simultaneous heating and cooling with multiple heat pumps.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
February 12, 2025

Last month's column discussed piping for air-to-water heat pumps. A 2-pipe system allows staging but not simultaneous heating and cooling, while a 4-pipe system with motorized valves enables both modes of operation.


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An air-to-water heat pump installed by Mike Bellinger and David Dousharm of CNY Pipeworx, LLC.
Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Heat pumps open possibilities for DWH and hydronic-based cooling

Expanding a concept — part two.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
February 4, 2025

Last month, we started with an air-to-water heat pump for space heating and added an auxiliary heat source and chilled water cooling. This month, we’re adding domestic water heating, similar to last month’s setup.


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Insulated Pipes for Industrial HVAC Installation.
Renewable Heating Design | John Siegenthaler

When one heat pump isn’t enough

Part one.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
January 7, 2025

Air-to-water heat pumps, especially for larger systems, can be used in stages for efficient temperature control and flexibility, utilizing variable-speed compressors and specific piping setups to manage heating and cooling loads.


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Hydrant Fuel Pump Station
Renewable Heating Design | John Siegenthaler

An expensive lesson in hydronic fundamentals

What was, what is, and what could have been.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
December 5, 2024

A review of a flawed hydronic heating system uncovers critical errors, such as improper circulator placement and restrictive mixing valves, leading to uneven warmth and corrosion issues. This underscores the need for proper design and installation in hydronic systems.


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Laying blue pipes for floor heating at the construction site.
Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Cutting-edge hydronics technology delivers superior efficiency and comfort

Chill chaser.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
December 4, 2024

Hydronically-heated concrete floor slabs offer comfort but can be slow to warm up. A proposed solution uses a heat pump and variable-speed circulators to provide rapid heating through air handlers, ensuring quick warmth during cool days while maintaining energy efficiency.


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energy usage monitoring dashboard interface
Renewable Heating Design | John Siegenthaler

Versatile hydronic systems leverage time-of-use energy rates

When the price is right...
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
November 11, 2024

As government electrification target dates loom in the near future, and power transmission systems get pushed closer to their limits, utility companies continue implementing ways to manage peak demand.



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