Benefits of Hydronic (hot water) heating systems

Below we explain some of the advantages of Hot Water Heating. These features are difficult or impossible to implement using a forced air system.

Zone Control
Using different thermostats and pumps (or zone valves) to break up a home into separately controlled segments.

Benefits:

• Allows cost savings due to not having to heat the entire house at all times
• Allows different comfort levels throughout the home.

Storage of Heat
Hot water is easy to store in the boiler or in insulated storage tanks.

Benefits:

• Stores a large volume of hot water
• Keeps home at a more even temperature
• Allows heating to keep up with various demands.
• Evens out the load.

Domestic Hot Water
Provides Hot Water for bathing, washing dishes, etc.

Benefits:

• Saves money
• No separate hot water heater needed.
• Cheaper than electric hot water.
• Reduces reliance for external energy sources.

Extended System Life
Hot water boilers will out-last their hot air counterparts.

Benefit:

• Lower costs over the life of the system.

Higher Efficiency
More miles per gallon. Water is a more effective heat exchange medium than air.

Benefits:

• Lower fuel bills.

Other Potential Problems with Hor Air Systems

• Dust is circulated through the home.
• Possible leakage of toxic gases into home (heat exchanger failure).
• Large loss of heat in ducts installed through unheated areas.
• Larger Electric Usage (Furnaces have large fans)
• Compromise in Air Conditioning system--Air conditioning vents should be located high on a wall or in the ceiling for best results.
• Difficult retrofit into homes without current ductwork
• Hot water pipes are smaller and easier to hide.

Most people know that hydronic heat (that is, heating with water) provides the most comfortable living environment of any heating style. Warmth is provided without noisy fans, parched blowing air or dust. What people do not understand, however, is the flexibility of choice that exists for you to choose how the heat is delivered into the living space. Here are a few of the most popular options:

RADIATORS AND BASEBOARD HEAT ELEMENTS
These come in all shapes and sizes. Older homes may still have the ornate Victorian units--made from cast-iron. Sleek, low-profile baseboards are also available for a less obtrusive look and colorful "European Style" panels can give decorative as well as functional options. Whatever the type, the basic function remains the same: Hot water is heated by the boiler. The water is pumped through the living space where heat is radiated from the radiator surfaces, and then the cool water is returned to the boiler.For more detail, visit our Hot Water Baseboard Heating Bulletin.

RADIANT FLOOR
Many newer homes are heated by installing radiant heat into the floor. This can be done either by burying special plastic tubing into a concrete floor or by attaching tubing to the underside of a wooden floor. Warm water (at a lower temperature than is required by radiators) is circulated from the boiler, resulting in a very comfortable, gentle and silent heat. Another fringe benefit -No more cold feet! For more information, visit our Radiant Floor Heat Bulletin.

FORCED HOT AIR
For homes where a hot air system already exists, this system converts the heat from the boiler to hot air, which is then circulated through ductwork. This is accomplished via a coil similar to what is used in a car radiator. For many situations, this is the most economical option available. For more information, visit our Forced Air Bulletin.

The choice is yours. With an HS-Tarm you get flexibility in circulation as well as fuel. Whichever choice you make, old man winter will be held at bay.