Ask a professional engineer about the energy used by the heating systems they design. Their response is almost guaranteed to apply to the “fuel” energy (e.g., natural, gas, propane, oil, pellets, etc.) used by the system’s heat source(s).
I’ve written several “Heating with Renewable Energy ”columns covering the benefits of combining modern hydronics technology with modern air-to-water heat pumps.
All hydronic systems designed around renewable energy heat sources — as well as those designed around conventional boilers — have at least one controller that measures and responds to temperature. Common examples are temperature setpoint controllers, outdoor reset controllers, mixing controllers and differential temperature controllers. Complex systems that operate in multiple modes, or use multiple heat sources, often have several temperature-based controllers.
As global energy planning moves away from fossil fuels and toward electricity, an increasing number of hydronic heating systems are being supplied by heat pumps. Some use water-to-water heat pumps supplied by geothermal earth loops. Others use air-to-water heat pumps.
Harry Eklof & Associates has three locations, including a training facility located in Landover, Maryland. Distributors, contractors and engineers throughout the region can conveniently attend product demos, contractor certification classes and educational seminars. They also offer a full menu of virtual training opportunities.
The fourth edition of "Modern Hydronic Heating & Cooling, for Residential and Light Commercial Buildings" will be available through major booksellers on April 1.
With a considerable volume of contradictory information in circulation regarding the application of different technologies for HVAC systems, this article seeks to explain some of the technical aspects of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, and offer comparisons on the basis of cost and performance to more standard hydronic systems.
Last month, we discussed using a non-pressurized thermal storage tank, in combination with brazed plate heat exchangers in a system supplied by a cordwood gasification boiler.
The Hercules Cryo-Tek original antifreeze is designed for use in hydronic heating and cooling closed-loop systems, most solar heating systems, snow melts, radiant heating, and general plumbing systems.