Articles by John Siegenthaler, P.E.

We've talked about the implications of long radiant floor circuits in the past. They do cut down on hardware, such as manifold connections. They also speed the installation. But what about thermal performance? Can the use of a “high head” circulator correct for the potential thermal degradation due to an extra long circuit?

Last fall the PM columnists were all challenged to write about their “secret life” for their January columns. The idea was to write about something they do or enjoy that's a bit outside their normal monthly specialty.

If you attended the RPA RadFest East this past October, you may remember the piping schematic in Figure 1 as an example of what not to do.

You don't need dozens of control boxes and miles of thermostat or sensor cable to provide appropriate zoning.

It's time to stop 'overpumping' our hydronic systems.

Technology marches onward.

Networked controls will soon be the norm in hydronics.

Hydronic radiant heating installations frequently present opportunities for refinement.

Modern hydronic systems should be as 'hydraulically efficient' as they are thermally efficient.