Hydronic Radiant Heat

When the snow is falling the last thing you want to think about is shoveling the driveway.  But no matter how nice the falling snow looks, and how much fun it can be, eventually the driveway, sidewalk, steps, and patio need to be cleared.  Today's hydronic heating systems can solve this problem with Radiant Snow Melting. 

Radiant Snow Melt systems circulates warm water / glycol solution through flexible tubes just under the surface.  Advanced systems monitor the moisture and temperature and automatically turn on to melt the snow as it falls.  These systems have been used for many years at ski resorts, hospitals and nursing homes where it is critical to keep surfaces clear to minimize falls.

Radiant Living Magazine recently examined a unique snow-melt application in Greenwich, CT. Click here for the entire article (Spring 2012).   Triangle Tube's Prestige 399 condensing boilers were used in this featured application.  The Prestige Condensing, Modulating Boilers will operate at peak efficiency in snow melt applications.  Snow melt systems operate at low temperatures which maximize the efficiency of condensing boilers. 

Triangle Tube Condensing Boilers provide for all of your heating needs,  The most common use is for space heating with traditional radiators, baseboard, or radiant floor installations.  Pairing a boiler with a Smart Indirect Water Heater provides efficient domestic hot water.  Snow Melt and Pool Heating are perfect for the condensing boilers as they operate at maximum efficiency.

The largest Challenger Condensing Boiler, the CC150s,has an input of 145 MBH, making it the highest output model in the Challenger lineup.  The Challenger CC150s is perfect for homes looking for a little extra heating capacity than the Challenger 125 or Prestige 110 can provide. 

With a compact, lightweight design, high heating capacity doesn't require a lot of space.  With a modern design that was styled to be installed in European kitchens, the Challenger 150 is quiet and attractive.  Standard twin pipe or optional concentric venting provides venting solutions for every need, and the Challenger 150s is designed to work with the Smart Indirect Water Heater to provide space heating and domestic hot waters.  The standard outdoor reset maximizes energy efficiency to achieve an AFUE of 93%.  The Challenger can work with traditional cast iron radiators or in slab or wood floor radiant heating.  The turndown ratio of nearly 4.5 to 1 minimizes boiler cycling, especially in the warmer months.

Try Triangle Tube's Challenger 150s boiler for maximum output with minimal space, cost, and energy bills.  Click here for literature on this boiler.  For more information contact Triangle Tube or your local Triangle Tube installer.

The unusually warm winter in North America has cut everyone's heating costs this year - but the biggest winners by far are homeowners heating with high efficiency condensing hydronic heating systems.  The two features of condensing boilers that contribute to these large savings are Modulation and Outdoor Reset.

Modulation is the process that increases or decreases the heat output, or firing rate, of the boiler.  Just like your kitchen stove, a modulating boiler can adjust its heat output but it doesn't need a person there to make the adjustment.  The boiler's control monitors the heat absorbed by the house by measuring the temperature of the boiler water as it leaves and as it returns to the boiler.  The larger the temperature difference, the more heat the boiler must add to the water, and the higher the firing rate that the control will create.

Non-modulating boilers operate at full fire all of the time.  This is inefficient for two reasons.  First, the boiler is least efficient at full fire, and most efficient at low fire.  So the longer the boiler can run at low fire, the more efficient it is.  Second, each time the boiler starts and stops it loses efficiency.  Modulating boilers run longer at lower temperatures, minimizing the starts and stops.

Outdoor reset is a simple yet extremely important part of a high efficiency system.  An outdoor sensor tells the boiler's control what the temperature is outside.  The boiler uses this information to adjust the temperature of the water that the boiler supplies to the radiant emitters.  This supply water does not need to be as hot during warm weather as it does during cold weather.  By supplying lower temperature water to the system, the boiler can maximize its efficiency.  Click here for outdoor reset basics.

Triangle Tube provides three models of condensing boilers.  The Prestige models feature a stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger with a full featured TriMax control and are available from 60 to 399 MBH.  The Prestige Excellence provides heat and up to 180 gallons per hour of hot water from its indirect water heater.  The Challenger models are available for both heating only (Solo), and combination heat and hot water (Combi) applications.  Challenger boilers are sized from 85 MBH to 150 MBH.   The Keystone models feature a stainless steel water tube heat exchanger and are available in sizes from 399 to 850 MBH for larger residences and light commercial applications. 

Contact Triangle Tube today for more information.

The new Challenger Solo Condensing Boiler joins the Challenger Combi Boiler in providing high efficiency hydronic heating in a compact package.  The Challenger Combi boiler provides both heat and domestic hot water, eliminating the need for a separate water heater.  The Challenger Solo boiler provides heat and can provide domestic hot water when paired with an indirect water heater.

The Challenger Solo boiler features a copper tube heat exchanger with an aluminum combustion block.  This unique design is durable and suitable for glycol applications because the system water or glycol flows only in the copper piping.  The aluminum block efficiently transfers the heat from the combustion air and it's light weight makes installation easy.

The Challenger Solo is available in 85, 105, and 125 MBH sizes.  These models are sized to meet the needs of today's homes.  By modulating its output to match the radiant heating needs, the Challenger Solos will operate longer at lower temperatures, which improves efficiency.  These sizes of the Challenger Solo have an AFUE of 95% and operate on either natural gas or propane. 

The Challenger Solos can provide domestic hot water when paired with a Smart Indirect Water Heater.  The Smart can be sized to fit the needs of the residence, providing the instant hot water response that is expected from traditional tank water heaters, with the efficiency of an instantaneous water heater.

Click here for information about the Challenger Solo Condensing Boiler or other Triangle Tube products.

There are four keys to successfully replacing your boiler.  By following these keys, you will ensure a fast trouble-free installation and much lower utility bills.  

1)  Selecting the right product - Craftsmen will tell you that building a fine piece of furniture starts with selecting the right wood.  The same is true in boiler replacement.  By selecting a reliable, highly efficient boiler, you will ensure that the project will be a success if the three other keys are followed.  Choosing a poorly designed product will ensure long term dissatisfaction, even if the other keys are correct.  Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger boilers are industry leaders in reliability and efficiency.  For more information on this, see the end of this post.

2)  Select the right contractor - Once again, a good contractor will make or break the project.  There is much more involved in replacing a boiler than simply removing the old boiler and inserting a new one.  The boiler must be sized and the piping layout reviewed to ensure that the heating system works in harmony.  A good contractor will have experience and proper training to know how to join all of the parts of the heating system into an efficient, effective, heating machine.  Click here to find certified Triangle Tube contractors in your area.

3)  Size the boiler properly - A lot has changed in your home since the last boiler was installed.  Perhaps you have new windows and/or doors.  Perhaps radiant floor heating was installed.  An addition may have been added, the attic has been insulated.  A proper heat loss analysis must be performed to select the proper boiler for the house.  An boiler that is too large will cause excessive cycling and drive up energy costs.  One that is too small will not keep the house warm on the coldest days.

4)  Use outdoor reset - One of the biggest efficiency gains in new boilers is the ability to use computer technology to adjust the hydronic system to the heating load.  As the weather gets warmer, less heat is required.  By lowering the system temperature, the house is able to be heated much more efficiently.  Please make sure this important feature is being used.  For more information on outdoor reset, click here.

Triangle Tube's Prestige and Challenger boilers are modern, highly efficient, natural gas or propane boilers that have excellent track records in reliability.  With AFUEs of 95% or higher, and low NOx emissions, these are responsible, green choices for both the environment and your budget.  When paired with a Smart Indirect Fired Water Heater, they form the right solution for your residential heat and hot water needs.  

It is safe to say that most people do not give much consideration to the type of heating system when they are considering a house purchase.  But people who have experienced the benefits of radiant floor heating are certain to have this on their list.  

Radiant floor heating's growth is one of the most positive trends in the HVAC industry in recent years.  These systems have the unique feature of being energy efficient, comfortable, invisible, and silent.  In nearly every aspect they are a clear winner. 

Radiant floor heating systems are a modern alternative to the traditional cast iron radiators or the more recent hot water baseboard systems.  In a radiant floor system water (or glycol in some cases) is heated by a boiler and circulated through tubing that is installed under the floor.  This water warms the flooring and the heat then radiates throughout the home. 

There are many benefits to this process.  First, it is extremely energy efficient as the warmest part of the room is the floor, which is the part of the room people use.  A hot air furnace heats the air which enters the room through registers on the floor, but then quickly rises to the ceiling, making it the warmest part of the room.  In comparison, a room heated by radiant flooring can be kept at a lower overall temperature yet feel warmer than a room heated by hot air.

Second, the system is invisible and silent.  The tubing is under the floor and out of the way.  There is no sound of air moving through ducts.  Third the system contributes to a healthy home by minimizing dust and keeping the room at a more comfortable humidity level.  Fourth, the system is multi-functional.  A well designed hydronic heating system can heat your home, hot water, swimming pool, and even melt the snow on your driveway or walkway.

Triangle Tube is an industry leading provider of hydronic heating equipment.  The Prestige boilers lead the market with a high efficiency, reliable heat exchanger and use either natural gas or propane.  The Smart indirect water heaters heat water twice as fast as a traditional gas fired water heater and feature a unique stainless steel tank-in-tank design backed by a limited lifetime warranty.  Maxi Flo pool and spa heat exchangers enable you to use your high efficiency boiler to extend your swimming season.

Consider upgrading your home with Radiant Floor Heating.  There's no need to move to install radiant floor heating.  A certified contractor can replace your hot air system with a radiant system in many cases without disturbing the existing flooring.  Contact Triangle Tube to find a certified contractor in your area today.

 

In-floor radiant heating systems have become very popular over the last decade.  This relatively new trend is not limited to new construction.  In fact, many existing heating systems can be rather easily replaced by a new radiant system.  In-floor heating can be installed in existing homes where there is access to the sub-floor from the floor below, usually the basement. 

There is no limit to the potential installations with some creativity and commitment.  Such is the case in this 18th century farmhouse renovation by F.W. Behler.  The team took on the task of installing in-floor radiant in a stone farmhouse with original wide plank wood floors and hand-hewn beams. 

The F.W. Behler team designed and installed a hydronic heating system that was energy efficient in all aspects.  The heart of the system is a Triangle Tube Prestige propane boiler, with an AFUE of 95%.  They combined this with Triangle Tube's SMART 40 indirect water heater, with less than $0.10 per day in standby heat loss.  Finally, they took advantage of the very low pressure drop of the Prestige boiler and installed extremely energy efficient ECM circulators.  This system design is expected to reduce the electric costs by nearly $5000 over the life of the system.

Please click this link to read the complete article.  www.greenmechanicalcontractor-digital.com/greenmechanicalcontractor/winter2010?fm=2#pg20

In today’s do-it-yourself society it can be tempting to overlook the value of experience.  We have all taken on jobs that could have been done in half the time by someone with experience.   This can be accepted when replacing your front garden since you gain the benefit of exercise, fresh air, and the satisfaction of a job well done.  However, when it comes to boiler replacement, an improperly installed boiler could not only be inefficient, it could be a safety hazard.  Therefore it is always best to work with an experienced contractor.

To get the most from your hydronic heating system, it is critical to have it properly designed.  Today’s heating systems utilize multiple zones which sometimes operate at different temperatures. For instance, radiant floor zones will operate at a lower temperature than baseboard or conventional radiators.  An experienced contractor can utilize hydronic controls to ensure each zone receives the heat required.  An indirect water heater will operate on its own high temperature zone. Properly designing and installing these systems will not only ensure the maximum system efficiency, but it will also prevent potential damage. 

Triangle Tube’s Prestige boiler is engineered to deliver efficient and reliable comfort. To achieve this, the Prestige uses features such as Outdoor Reset and Modulation.  An experienced contractor will understand how to program the boiler to use these features and delivered the expected performance. Triangle Tube’s Smart indirect fired water heaters will provide plentiful hot water when properly installed.

Triangle Tube provides certification training to hundreds of contractors each year. This training provides them with tools to evaluate your hydronic system and install Triangle Tube products quickly and efficiently.  Experience counts.  Contact Triangle Tube today to find a contractor in your area.

“It’s hot, but it’s a dry heat,” is something that we often hear about the weather in the Southwest. A dry heat in the summer may be considered a good thing, but in the winter, an increasing number of homeowners are opting for “wet” hydronic heat. Hydronic heating systems use water instead of air as the heat transfer medium.     

For decades, millions of homes have been heated by boilers, baseboards, and radiators by water circulated from a central boiler. The result is a silent, clean, and reliable heating system that is energy efficient and hygienic. Without the need to circulate air throughout the house, there are fewer drafts and less dust, while the humidity is maintained at a much more comfortable level. 

In addition to radiators and baseboards, radiant floor heating systems have become very popular in recent years. Radiant floor systems circulate hot water through tubes that are attached or embedded under the floor. Radiant floor heating delivers heat where it is most needed, at the coldest part of the room. Hidden underneath the floor, it is invisible and allows the maximum freedom in furniture placement.  Radiant floor heating can be used under carpeting, wood floors, tile, or even embedded in concrete slabs.

The heart of the hydronic heating system is the boiler. While traditional boilers were large objects consuming space in the basement, the modern high efficiency boiler is more compact and much more efficient. Modern boilers such as Triangle Tube’s Prestige high efficiency boiler use advanced control technology to maximize their efficiency. Advanced features such as outdoor reset and modulation enable the Prestige to best match its output to the heating needs. And the use of advanced materials allow the modern boilers to maximize the heat extracted from the fuel being used. The Prestige boiler uses a high grade stainless steel heat exchanger to extract heat by condensing the combustion gases, which was not possible in older cast iron boilers resulting in a 10% improvement in efficiency. 

Finally, hydronic heating systems can heat not only your home, but your domestic hot water, and even your pool as well. Indirect fired water heaters are recognized as the most energy efficient and reliable domestic water heating options available. Triangle Tube’s Smart indirect fired water heaters lead the group in efficiency with their unique stainless steel tank-in-tank design. And Triangle Tube’s Maxi Flo pool and spa heat exchangers allow you to extend your summer using the efficiency of the Prestige boiler.

Whether in new construction or renovation, today’s hydronic heating systems are leading the way in efficiency. Contact Triangle Tube today to discover the benefits of hydronic heating for yourself.