Hydronic heating uses water to transfer heat from its source of production to the destination by the use of a conveying system. Usually, the source of heat is water that is conveyed by a pipe system and the heat released in environment at the appropriate place through a heat emitting panel. Modern technology enables hydronic heating to be precisely delivered at the desired points with configurations as per the need of people in the house.
Body and heat loss
You are likely to be uncomfortable in a room where the temperature is not maintained in a proper way. When the same heat level that the body generates leaves your body, it makes you feel cold and uncomfortable.
- A heating system should be able to make up for this heat loss by maintaining a temperature balance.
- A comfortable environment is obtained when the relative humidity, surface temperature, and air temperature is balanced with the loss of heat from the body.
All human bodies do not emit heat at the same rate due to general body constitution, the activity level of the body and age factor.
Individual requirements of heating
The same house may have different levels of heating requirements. A heating system must be able to address this particular issue.
- Hydronic radiant heat emitters on the floors or the ceiling could be effective in doing this. In comparison with the forced-air heating system, the hydronic heating system is easier to control because it is simple.
- For small rooms tailored for individual use, you could opt for individual hydronic emitters.
You may not have to compromise with the décor of the room while installing hydronic heating panels, as these modern panels come in sleek designs without compromising on the efficiency. A combined output of radiant and convection heat make these panels fuel efficient.
Use of heating panels
For floors and ceilings, the fine tube panels effectively heat up the environment without much loss in energy. The installation process is designed not to cause damage to the load bearing capacity of the concrete. Depending on which floor you wish to heat up effectively, you can install heating on the floor or the ceiling. For example, it is good to install panels on the ceiling of the first floor and floor of the second floor. The common form of hydronic floor paneling is the use of 1.5’’ gypsum or concrete thin slab poured over a wood deck. The thin slab has poor heat dispersion and so the water in panel requires less energy to heat up.
Some specifications required
Ceilings and wall can also be installed with radiant hydronic heating panels. A wall that is converted into a radiant panel cannot be distinguished from standard wall. The installation procedure takes care to have them paneled in a way that they are laid on the wall surface and covered up to give regular wall finish. If you plan to install this type of heating system you need to keep in mind the R-value of the wall that will have to be 50% higher than that of the exterior wall. It will help control the heat loss to the outside wall.
Versatility of the panels
While installing these hydronic panels on inner partition walls, make sure that the installation process takes care to install proper insulation behind the panel. The most effective radiant panels are the ones that are constructed 3-4 feet above the floor-level. This heating system can be used to heat bathroom floors, rooms, swimming pools and even the driveway. The same water that is heated for the hydronic system can be the channeled as the building’s hot water supply. A good hydronic system apart from providing comfort is also fuel sufficient and thus economical.
