HS-TARM boilers give you better hot air heat than hot air furnaces do

Can you believe this headline? You sure can! Here's why:

Typical hot air furnaces work like this.

The thermostat calls for heat and activates the burner. The burner runs until heat builds up in the plenum to approximately 150 degrees. At this point, the fan control powers the fan to push the heat out through the ducts to heat the house. The fan will run until the plenum is cooled off. Towards the end of this cycle, the air coming out of the registers may start to feel cool. With this typical hot air sequence, you feel the up and down temperatures and the cooler air at the end of the cycle.

How does the HS-TARM boiler heat air and why is it better?

The HS-TARM boiler is maintained at 180 degrees whether on wood, oil, gas or coal. A heating coil is installed in the ductwork, which has a fan either in an airhandler or in an existing hot air furnace. This heating coil is sized to match the heat load of the house and the airflow capacity of the fan.

Here is how it works: When the thermostat calls for heat, the circulator is activated to pump 180-degree water through the coil. At the same time the fan is activated. Immediately you have heat at the registers. When the thermostat is satisfied, the fan and circulator shut off. There is no cool air pushed out of the register at the end of this cycle. To the contrary, because the coil is full of 180-degree water, this heat is more like the heat you get from a wood stove - in that it is more constant and not on and off like typical hot air systems.

A further refinement, which several people have used, is to partially open the flow check valve between the boiler and the fan coil. The heat from the boiler flows by gravity to the coil and keeps it heated. Because of the heat in the coil, a gentle gravity flow of air in the ducts also begins. Operating this way requires some manual adjustments to achieve minimum heat levels. The thermostat takes care of heavier demand when it activates the circulator and fan. This method of operating gives more home comfort while using less electricity.

One other benefit of using an HS-Tarm boiler with your hot air system is to put the right level of heat wherever you want it. If you have an area of your house that isn't getting enough heat from the hot air system, just add another zone and thermostat and run a hot water heat loop from the boiler to that area. Maybe you want to build an addition but the ductwork isn't adequate. Just add another zone of hot water heat. Have the best of hot air and hot water heating systems. Many people have told us they were never as comfortable with a hot air system as they have been since the addition of a hot water heating coil. If you want a hot air system that gives the option of central air conditioning also, but you want the unexcelled efficiency and quality of an HS-Tarm boiler, this system may be the answer for you. And don't forget you also get your domestic hot water from the boiler. Think about it. More comfort with your hot air system and the benefits of hot water heat and domestic hot water.