Planning The Installation Of Hydronic Heating Radiators In Your Home

For those of you unfamiliar with the system, hydronic heating radiators can be installed in both residential and commercial buildings, and utilise hot water supplied by a boiler to warm the space. Whilst this system is most popularly laid beneath the floor, in situations where this is not possible radiators that operate along the same principles are instead installed.

Many people choose hydronic heating because it can help them to save hundreds of dollars each year simply because the warmth remains in the room long after the system has been turned off. If you are planning an installation of your own, it is important that you have considered all of the relevant points to ensure that your home or business will receive luxurious heat.

• Determine the area to be heated
  The good news is that these radiators can be placed anywhere in your home, from the bedrooms all the way through to the bathrooms. You need to decide which rooms you would like to heat in this manner and which you will forget for the time being. Whilst you will surely want all of the living areas covered, for example, you may not be so concerned with the laundry or store room.
  
• Different heating solutions
  Whilst you may have already decided that hydronic heating radiators is the way to go, it is important to understand that there are other alternatives available. These include baseboard, under floor and kick heaters. It is often best to speak with a professional to determine whether one of these options would be better suited to your building or your heating requirements.
  
• Determine the heating load
  Before the installation goes ahead, it is important to determine how much load the system will be able to handle. For this, you will need the help of a trained plumber or hydronics specialist – they will be able to analyse the current load of your boiler and determine whether it will be sufficient or whether it should be replaced. They can also advise you on how many radiators you need.
  
• One or more zones?
  Did you know that you can plan your system with more than one zone, meaning that you can turn separate areas of the home off when not in use? Each zone that you create will have its own control switch, allowing you to set and control the temperature in a handful of rooms at a time. These zones can all be tied into a single system, meaning that they are all fed from one source.

It may also be possible to have hydronics installed in the outside areas of your home, such as in the garage or even on a patio. This will depend entirely on the heating solution that you have chosen, however, so it is best to speak with a professional prior to including these sorts of zones in your plan. Be prepared to be told it’s not possible.

Whilst you should certainly seek the assistance of a professional when planning the installation of hydronic heating radiators, it is important that you also have some understanding of what you are doing. This will ensure that your plumber doesn’t recommend something that you don’t actually need, as well as ensure that you know exactly what you’re getting.