What is hydronic heating you ask? Well, it’s the use of water (hydro) or other liquid to transfer heat from a heat source to rooms. To do this, the water, often in the form of steam, is sent from a boiler through pipes to it’s destination. There it is run through radiators which allow the heat to transfer to the room.
Naturally, this type of heating via radiator is often referred to as radiant heating. While there are different types of radiant heating, in most home applications there will be hydronic systems driving them.
What are Some Benefits of Hydronic Heating?
The radiators in such a hydronic system can take many forms. Obviously the old steam radiators fit the bill. What about using the floorboards, walls, ceiling, or even the entire floor as a radiator though? This is often how modern hydronic heating systems handle it, as it helps to more evenly apply heat throughout the area.
This potential for even distribution of heat is one of the main benefits of hydronic heating systems. Forced air relies on the placement of vents and air circulation, and as such can create hot and cold spots in the room.
Another area where hydronic systems have an advantage over forced air is that they don’t dry out the air as much as a forced air system.
What are the Drawbacks of Hydronic Heating?
Hydronic heating is a rather intricate system that needs to be balanced correctly to function well. Also, there are many components to a hydronic system, some of which are difficult to install in retrofit applications.
Because of this, it’s important to carefully plan your hydronic heating system, as there can be a great many pitfalls that can arise in such a project. Not only does the heating system itself need to be designed well, but also the house itself can be a big factor in how well a hydronic heating system will function.
Another drawback to hydronic heating systems is that they don’t actively circulate air like a forced air system will. While this can be a benefit as far as energy efficiency, it can also lead to stuffiness if no air circulation is provided for by other means.