What Is Hydronic Heating?
Hydronic heating is a method in which tubing, or radiators are put to use so that the floor of your home can be heated. This is widely gaining popularity because it is a very energy efficient way that you can use. In fact, another name for hydronic heating is radiant heating. The mechanism put to use is that a heated liquid is circulated around your residence through plastic pipes. To aid the process, baseboard heating units may also be employed. For those who are wondering that why is the floor heated up, this is because your floor is where you step. This warms your feet and also radiates heat upwards to the ceiling and thus heats the place. Those who have carpeted floors, need not worry either. Latest technology has ensured that carpeted floors and hardwood flooring as well as vinyl flooring can be catered to in this regard.
The Basic Equipment for Hydronic Heating
#1. Boiler: This is definitely the most important part when we consider the basic equipment for hydronic heating. A boiler helps you to heat the liquid. As explained earlier, it is a heated liquid which runs around your place ensures that it is kept warm. Without this, the process of hydronic heating cannot even be started so getting done with it is out of the question.
#2. Liquid medium: This is what essentially runs through the pipes to heat your home. This is traditionally water. However, this does not mean that only water can be used. Since the temperature is very low, antifreeze liquids have also been used at several locations.
#3. Thermostat: The plumbing system is deeply related and intertwined with the thermostat. That is what helps the liquid to travel all around the house.
#4. Tubing: Usually, it has been seen all around the work that plastic tubes are used. This is because they are highly efficient, light weight, and easy to manage. However, this is not definite. Some cases have also been noted where copper piping has been used and that too works just fine.
#5. Heat exchanger: This refers to what will transfer the heat from the pipes to your home. It is usually a radiator, a baseboard heater or an element that is pre-built in the floor.
#6. Pump: Lastly, just like you have a pump at home to get you underground water each day, this too helps to circulate the heated liquid.
Benefits of Hydronic Heating
- Comfort: This is definitely the first benefits that come to mind when you think of what makes hydronic heating so desired. Comfort is what we are all looking for. The winters can be quite harsh. At such a time, you need something that keeps you warm. This helps to balance humidity, works silently without creating any loud noise like a generator and also ensures to stay just at the right pace.
- Health: The traditional heating systems are such that they push warm air throughout the home. This implies that there is a chance that you develop any allergy or face dust. But in case of hydronic heating, this is never a concern. This is because the floor is heated and nothing external enters your home.
- Efficiency: This refers to energy efficiency. You may have often heard of means to save energy. Thus, you must know that water is a better conductor of heat than air. This is why less energy is used in the transfer. Last but not the least, the air pressure in the home is not increased and that is why warm air can be retained indoors.
