Times have changed. Today, "residential" hydronic systems are often more sophisticated than those used in large commercial buildings. In addition to multiple methods of delivering space heating, such systems routinely provide domestic hot water, snow-melting, intermittent garage heating, and perhaps they even warm the pool in the backyard. What other method of heat delivery can lay claim to such capabilities?
This article examines the building blocks of a modern multi-load hydronic heating system. We'll look at ways to configure the heat source, pipe the system and even select control strategies that allow all the loads to peacefully coexist and deliver the comfort hydronic heating has long been famous for.