What is Hydronic Heating and Can It Work for You?

by | May 8, 2013 | Heating & Air Conditioning

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One of the main reasons that people are choosing hydronic heating in Ann Arbor, MI in order to keep their homes warm is that it is much more energy efficient than alternatives. The benefits offered by a hydronic heating system often outweigh any expenditures of investment, and homeowners actually save money, making it a method for heating that eventually pays for itself. There are many different kinds of hydronic systems, but they all operate according to a few basic principles related to heat transfer for home heating.

 

To understand how hydronic heating works, think in terms of heat transfer. There are three basic ways that heat can be transferred into your home: conduction, convection and radiation. Liquids conduct heat more efficiently and quickly than gases, which is one reason why convection works so well in heating a house. Convection occurs when fluids are circulated throughout a hose through piping or under the floorboards, and passes into the rooms through vents. Air, however, uses more energy to force heat into a room, which is why radiation is a more efficient and effective way to transfer heat. Hydronic heating uses convection and radiation to conduct heat into a space, which makes it more effective and less expensive to use than other methods for heating in Ann Arbor, MI.

In the first part of the heating process, a boiler system uses the principle of conduction to heat water, which is the main function of a boiler. Conduction can occur fairly quickly, which is easy to test by putting a pot full of water on a hot stove. The water is then pumped through a conduction system, often under the floorboards, that does not rely upon pushing airflow out into the room, but rather heats up the structures of the house itself, usually the floor. Once the floor is heated, it radiates the heat into the room.

People who use hydronic heating in Ann Arbor, MI usually report that they feel comfortable at lower temperatures than those who use other types of conventional heating systems. The end result is a comfortable home during the winter months at lower utility costs at the end of each month. Moreover, there are several different kinds of hydronic heating systems in Ann arbor, MI – such as boilers, tankless water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters – as well as a variety of ways for conduction and radiation, depending on need. Homeowners can consult with a heating company in order to find the type that best fits the structure and materials of their individual homes.

 

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