Radiant hydronic heating

Radiant hydronic heating is a form of central heating that employs hot water (or, in older buildings, steam) to deliver heat to rooms. A boiler heats water and circulates it through a system of pipes or tubing to registers, radiators or circuits of pipes that radiate the warmth to rooms. Hydronic heating offers quiet, constant heat and doesn't stir up allergens or dust. Because it warms people and objects rather than just air, it feels warm even if a door is opened or a room is somewhat drafty or slightly cooler than normal. On the downside, a radiant system cannot double-up for cooling or cleaning the air the way a forced-air system can.

A new generation of in-floor hydronic heating that employs corrosion-proof, hot-water tubing has enjoyed widespread popularity in recent years. With this type of system, heat is evenly distributed and floors are warm under foot. A variety of heating equipment may heat water: natural gas or propane water heater or boiler, electric boiler, wood boiler, heat pump, solar collector or even geothermal energy.

Tubing for a hydronic system may be installed in a conventional concrete slab or in a lightweight, gypsum-cement slab. Or it can be stapled to the undersides of subflooring.

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/ Hydronic radiators / / Steam boiler systems / / Thermostats /

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