Focus on Energy: Hydronic Chic

Hydronic Chic by Alex Wilson While the American heating industry sits back deciding where to hold its annual conventions, the Europeans are sneaking up from behind. Recent years have seen an influx of high-quality European hydronic radiators and controls. Despite their high prices, these systems have great appeal. They outperform their American counterparts in comfort, sophistication, and style. Comfort. Increasingly, heating systems are being designed to deliver comfort rather than simply heat. This distinction may seem forced to some, but there’s a difference. Typical American hydronic radiators operate at around 180øF. They function by heating the air surrounding them. The heated air rises up to the ceiling, causing significant temperature stratification in the room-often as much as 10 to 15øF. A lot of people aren’t comfortable