Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Hydronika mean?

A: The name Hydronika represents our commitment to hydronic heating and cooling systems - that use water as the transfer medium. These system are 30% more efficient that using air.

Q: Are Hydronic systems expensive?

A: Hydronic heating and cooling systems are more expensive to install and much less expensive to operate. With payback estimates in the 5 to 8 year range.

Q: How large a unit will I need to heat and cool a 6800 sq ft house?

A: In order to properly select a Hydronika unit, a number of Qs need to be answered  because a water based system (hydronic) is 40% more efficient than a forced air system.

a) In what part of the country is the house located?
b) Is this a new construction or a renovation/retrofit?
c) What side of the house receives the longest daylight hours (East or West)?
d) Are the occupants more likely to want it a little cooler in the summer and warmers in the winter or is general temperature of 70 - 72°F adequate?

These Qs form the rudimentary basis of the house dynamics. With this knowledge and a heat load calculation (often referred to as a “J” calculation) performed by a qualified engineer, the selection of a cost effective and energy conserving product selection can begin.

Q: What’s the difference between a 4 pipe and a 6 pipe Hydronika system?

A: 4 pipe systems have a hot fluid supply and return pipe set as well as a cold fluid supply and return pipe set. These independent circuits allow the Hydronika unit to produce hot and cold fluid simultaneously. This is particularly useful in shoulder months of the year when one portion of a building requires heating (cold side) and another requires cooling (sunny side). Or in the summer when the building is in the cooling mode yet there is a call for hot fluid to heat a pool, spa or potable hot water tank.
6 pipe systems operate just like 4 pipe systems except that an additional pair of pipes are trapping waste heat produced during the cooling cycle of the Hydronika unit and are diverting this warmed fluid to a reservoir such as a pool, spa, potable hot water tank or a geo thermal loop. The removal of waste heat improves the operating efficiency of the 6 pipe models and uses less overall energy than a 4 pipe system.

Q: We are restoring an old mansion and wondered if a Hydronika unit work with a 2 pipe radiator system?

A: Yes, as long as the radiators were hot water types and not steam.

Q: What types of fan coils can be used with a Hydronika unit?

A: All types. Fan coils come in wide variety meant to work with just about any heating and cooling design. Once a load calculation has been completed, an engineer will select fan coils that will satisfy the spaces (rooms) to be conditioned. Architects and interior designers then usually make a decision on diffusers (covers) that will best match the room décor.

Q: My building is currently using forced air and ducts to heat and cool. Can it be converted to a Hydronika system?

A: Yes. Many conversions utilize the existing air ducts to install the fluid piping needed to supply an air handler, fan coil, and radiant design per space (room). Similarly, the air ducts can be used as channels for thermostat wiring, power supply and condensate drainage tubing pathways.

Q: I've heard that multiple heating and cooling zones saves energy and is more comfortable.
Why is that?

A: If your building had ten distinct spaces or rooms an optimized heating and cooling system would have ten zones. Using ten thermostats each space would be provided with exactly the temperature expected by that occupant to maximize their comfort. When a space is not in use, the thermostat could be set to allow the temperature to fall (when heating) or rise (when cooling) thereby saving energy. Justin Randall, Product Specialist at Aprilaire equated optimized zoning to a light switch. He said: "You don't have only one light switch that turns on all the lights in your house; you have a light switch for each room and you turn them on and off as you need them"