John Siegenthaler, P.E.

John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a consulting engineer and principal of Appropriate Designs in Holland Patent, New York. In partnership with HeatSpring, he has developed several online courses that provide in-depth, design-level training in modern hydronics systems, air-to-water heat pumps and biomass boiler systems. Additional information and resources for hydronic system design are available on Siegenthaler’s website, www.hydronicpros.com.

Our industry needs more focus on distribution systems

It’s not all about the boiler.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

May 21, 2014

As an industry, we have to move beyond judging the quality of a hydronic system based solely on the heat source.

Devil in the details of hydronic heating

The Glitch and The Fix, May 2014

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

May 19, 2014

The three photos, provided by a friend of the industry, are all from the same hydronic heating installation.

How flow rate affects heat output

When “thinking mathematically,” most people think in proportions.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

April 22, 2014

German water.

Don't overcomplicate hydronic systems

April 2014 The Glitch and The Fix

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

April 17, 2014

An installer is asked to provide a relatively simple single-zone floor heating system supplied by a mod/con boiler. He’s heard that a hydraulic separator is a good component in such systems

Hydronic radiant ceiling cooling for smaller buildings.

Removing limitations on radiant heating systems.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

March 17, 2014

Well-designed and properly installed hydronic radiant heating systems have earned a deserved reputation for superior comfort. Even so, many people hesitate on using these systems because they can’t just push a button on their thermostat to change the system from heating to cooling.

Multiple heating zones for hydronic and radiant applications

March 2014 The Glitch & The Fix

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

March 12, 2014

The system was intended to supply one high-temperature heating zone, a couple of medium-temperature zones and two zones of floor heating for a garage and breezeway where antifreeze protection was needed.

Expansion tank pressurization

Improper air-side pressurization 'wastes' some of the internal volume.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

February 20, 2014

All closed-loop hydronic systems require an air space to absorb the increased volume of water as it warms during system operation. In most hydronic systems, this task is handled by an expansion tank. In most modern hydronic systems, it’s handled by a diaphragm-type expansion tank.

The geothermal heat pump is just like a boiler

The Glitch and The Fix, February 2014

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

February 13, 2014

A homeowner asks his local heating installer if a geothermal heat pump can be combined with radiant floor heating. The system he creates is meant to supply a dozen independently controlled zones of low-temperature floor heating.

Using wood-gasification boiler for space heating and repurposed thermal storage tank

January 2014 The Glitch and The Fix

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

January 30, 2014

A homeowner wants to use a wood-gasification boiler as his primary source of space heating. He also wants a propane-fueled boiler to automatically come on for backup should he decide not to tend the fire, or if he is away. The owner has read that a generously sized thermal storage tank is necessary to allow a gasification boiler to operate at consistent high efficiency.

Talking to my computer

My first experience teaching an online course.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

January 23, 2014

Last fall, I taught my first online course dealing with designing hydronic heating systems. The course was titled “Mastering Hydronic System Design.” It was a collaborative effort between HeatSpring Learning Institute, BNP Media’s CE Campus and myself.