An Hydronics Wave?

Fueled by new advances in hydronics technology and a growing awareness among homeowners about its comfort and flexibility, HVACR wholesaler distributors and dealers are finding new applications, new markets and new ways to sell hydronics.

To find the latest and the greatest in hydronics synergies, we went to Bob Kun, chair of HARDI's Hydronics Heating & Cooling Council and general manager of Pittsburgh, PA-based Comfort Supply Inc. Kun specializes in emerging technologies such as hydronic heating and radiant floor heating, and he's a Radiant Panel Association Certified Designer and Installer. So we asked him about some of the latest trends in hydronics.

“The hydronic side of the business addresses some of the concerns that homeowners have,” Kun says. “Especially if they've lived in a house where there were issues with noise and dust from their forced air system, and they want to build a new home; then they're strongly looking at hydronics, because it will solve a lot of the problems they've been putting up with.”

In a word, it's about comfort. Whether it's new construction or a renovation, homeowners will press their contractors on their heating and cooling options. They don't want to have hotspots or cold spots in their rooms. Hydronic systems address these issues, particularly with advances in high-efficiency boilers and zoned heating, and they provide the heat quietly and cleanly.

A growing solar thermal market

Solar thermal energy harnesses the sun's energy and collects it, turning it into hot water. It is much more efficient and cost effective than solar photovoltaics, which converts solar energy into electricity. Kun hopes that federal tax credits will help to boost solar thermal's standing among contractors and homeowners. “Using solar thermal for hot water is a reasonable payback,” he says. “Hot water is something that is used day in and day out.”

Solar thermal will work on cloudy days because it's picking up the UV rays on the solar collectors. “The upfront costs are in the hardware. The fuel is never a bill that you'll see coming in the mail,” he says.

In Europe, solar thermal has become well-established for producing hot water. Kun says you can find a couple of solar thermal panels on almost every residence. “They know it's the best way to make hot water.” As this market grows in the United States, Comfort Supply will be ready with the products and expertise for its customers and their customers. “We're dabbling in solar thermal,” Kun says. “Our company has always picked niche products that aren't run of the mill.”

New uses for radiant heat

Hate to shovel snow off your stairs in the winter? Then it's radiant heat to the rescue. Radiant heat is being installed on front steps and front walks for snow melting — for both new construction and renovations. Kun notes that radiant heating for small areas, like a stoop or a front walk, may be able to run off of a high-efficiency boiler plant. But if a homeowner wants to heat an entire driveway, that may require a separate boiler plan. Towel warmers also are gaining in popularity among consumers, with coils embedded in towel racks. Kun says these expanded uses for radiant heat are usually in larger homes where consumers are looking to stay through their retirement years.