Castle Heating & Air Conditioning

Radiant Floor Heat

For several decades, using water to heat and cool buildings has been the preferred method of climate control. Older boiler systems relied on cast iron radiators that limited a homeowner’s options for furniture placement. In latter years, baseboard style radiators were popular because of their low cost and proximity to the floor. They no longer interfered with picture windows or furniture.

Now technology has taken another big step in meeting the needs of consumers. In recent years, manufacturers have developed several different types of plastic tubing. This tubing is specifically designed and approved to accommodate the temperatures and pressures of hydronic heating systems. This new technology has made hydronic heating truly affordable with increased savings on fuel bills and an evenly comfortable heated building.

Castle Heating and Air Conditioning is rapidly expanding in the hydronics division. As you know, there is a fast growing trend towards using in-floor radiant hydronic heat. Thanks to programs like "This Old House" more homeowners are aware of the comfort and flexibility of using water as a heating source. A direct benefit to the builder or homeowner is increased profitability and savings. We can install high efficiency boilers that will vent horizontally and eliminate the need for a flue chase entirely. The boiler can also very easily be zoned to allow several different comfort zones in the same home. Snow melting is available for side walks and driveways as is the capability of using the boiler for domestic water heating. That will eliminate the need for a separate electric or fuel burning water heater and provide more hot water for soaking tubs or multiple bathrooms. We are also able to provide a hydronic heating system by using a standard water heater that will also supply the domestic hot water for the building.

Hydronic air handlers are forced-air hot water furnaces. They have a built-in circulating pump that draws water from a boiler or water heater, and circulates it through an aluminum-finned radiator. Air is blown through the radiator into the duct system. Now we can add air conditioning to a boiler system with ease, and use the air system for whole house ventilation. Also, we can vary the heat output with an air handler by simply raising or lowering the water temperature in the boiler or water heater.