Hydronic HVAC systems are specialized systems that are unique in their use of water pumped through pipes to move hot or cold air in and out of an interior space. This system is used for all different kinds of HVAC equipment such as pumps, chillers, AC units, boilers and heaters. They are different from VRFs, or variable refrigerant flow systems, because VRFs pump refrigerant through pipes in place of water. VRFs are often mistaken for hydronic infrastructures or stigmatized as a more energy efficient method, but in reality, hydronic systems are more cost effective, energy efficient and reliable than VRFs.
How do they work?
Hydronic systems work slightly differently depending on what kind of equipment is being used and what it is being used for. However, all equipment using a hydronic system has at least one commonality, water. Water is circulated throughout a home or building through a sealed pipe network. For heating, hot water is circulated through pipes and the heat radiates into the space. For cooling, cold water in the pipes absorbs heat, circulating and recycling it. VRFs are very similar, but they circulate refrigerant through pipes instead of water, releasing and absorbing heat.
How are they cost effective?
In comparison to VRFs, hydronic systems last five to 10 years longer. Hydronic systems last 20-25 years and VRFs only last 10-15 years. This is because of the use of refrigerant instead of water, making the hydronic system lower-maintenance. Combining the lower up-front cost of hydronic systems in addition to the long term savings of less maintenance or buying replacements, hydronic is a significantly better deal.
How are they energy efficient?
Hydronic systems, one can easily infer from the name, use water. This means they are extremely energy efficient. A 2013 study by Oklahoma State University found heat pumps are 44% more energy efficient than VRFs. They don’t require combustion, meaning no gas is used, and they can be easily hooked up to renewable sources of energy such as solar panels or geothermal energy.
Ground temperature is warmer than the air above it in the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) circulate water through the ground and the back into the internal pipes of a home or building to heat or cool a space using the Earth’s natural heating and cooling abilities.
Choosing a hydronic system
Hydronics can be used in radiant floor heating, baseboard heating, radiators, heat pumps, chillers, air conditioners, boilers and convectors. Northrich Co. sells all of these from the best suppliers they know you can trust. Their team of HVAC professionals can analyze and fabricate specifications to equip any home or commercial building with the most efficient and compatible hydronic heating and cooling equipment.
For more information contact Northrich company. 216-581-4750 or go to www.northrich.com