Nuheater

Hydronic heating is a technology that utilizes hot water or steam to transfer heat into a area. This varies from forced air heat in that heat is contained within a tube until it reaches the location to be heated. Because hydronic heat can be delivered to a precise spot, it can be more efficient than forced air heat.<br><br>Hydronic heating systems have been around for decades in the form of steam and hot water radiators. These radiators are popular in large buildings and campuses, because they allow many units to be served from one heat source. This method is also used in some cities to provide heat from a central furnace to entire districts.<br><br>Old-fashioned radiator systems rely on air convection to move heat into a room. The heat does not actually radiate out into the space. Instead, the difference in temperature makes convection currents, drawing cooler air into the radiator space to be warmed by the device.<br><br>Hydronic floor heating systems have become quite popular for new construction. Tubing is placed beneath the floor of a room, either into a poured floor slab made of concrete or a thin concrete mixture placed on top of the floor deck. This fluid can be water or some other substance, such as anti-freeze. Once the system is in place, the room is heated as warm air rises from the floor. <br><br>The water may be warmed by a boiler, as in traditional radiator systems, or heat may come from a solar collection system. This makes hydronic floor heating environmentally friendly and reduces utility bills. Because the water will flow naturally as the result of temperature differences, no pumping system is called for, so long as the tubing is right size for the application. <br><br>The tubes used to carry the fluid in an hydronic heating system transfer their warmth to the floor slab, which in turn heats the space. A thicker slab will absorb heat more slowly, and radiate it into the room over a longer period of time. For this reason, solar heating systems perform best with a thick slab. A heating system that uses a propane or electric water heater can alter temperature more easily than a solar heating system. In this case, the slab can be much less than the four inches recommended for systems that use solar heat. <br><br>Because solar based installations rely on thermosiphon, or movement by convection, to circulate the fluid, they may suffer from blockages caused by air pockets. When the main source of heat will be a solar collector, the system may also have a small pump to remove air from the system as necessary. Systems that use boilers to give heat are not subject to being blocked by air bubbles.<br><br>Hydronic heating is an ancient concept that works well with new technology. It is a flexible way to heat structures, and gives environmental and cost saving benefits. With different heat sources to select from, it’s a logical choice for new construction.

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