Articles by John Siegenthaler, P.E.

Too little flow causes too many complaints.

Over the last few years, hydraulic separators have been gaining popularity in the North American hydronics market. Eager to keep up with this new technology, an installer decides to install a hydraulic separator between a boiler and distribution system. 

What’s often impossible with forced air becomes straightforward with hydronics.

This hydronic system was created to connect two gas-fired, cast-iron boilers to a low-temperature distribution system that supplies 10,000 ft. of 5/8-in. PEX tubing embedded in the floor slab.

Designing hydronic systems around outdoor wood-fired furnaces.

An installer uses a four-way motorized mixing valve to interface between a conventional gas-fired cast-iron boiler and a low-temperature radiant panel system.

A modern approach to a traditional means of hydronic heating.

An installer decides to replace an old cast-iron boiler with a modern mod/con unit that has a 5:1 turndown ratio and integral outdoor reset control.

Why don’t North American indirect tanks have larger heat exchangers?

In an attempt to avoid purchasing what he considers “fancy valves,” an installer constructs the system shown with globe valves.