While the art of maintaining a tractor can be recreational for some, Bruley was referring to the new way his shop is being heated. Last summer, Bruley installed a hydronic heating system for his new repair shop, replacing a dilapidated building that was on its last legs. “I figured I might as well get with the times,” Bruley said. Bruley isn’t alone. Radiant heating is becoming the standard for new building projects. But what is hydronic heating? Why is it rapidly replacing the more traditional forced-air option? First, let’s go over the basics. Hydronic radiant systems use in-floor tubing (called PEX pipes) through which heated water circulates. A hydronic system can be installed in concrete in a slab-on-grade construction, in a thin layer of concrete over a subfloor, underneath the subfloor between the joists in an existing home with a basement or crawl space, or within a subfloor. Without blasting air through the house, hydronic radiant systems can boast features like being quiet, being easier to zone, and no stirring up of dust or allergens. Hydronic systems can be paired with many types of heat sources, including gas and electric boilers, heat pumps, geothermal systems, and solar heating. Because radiant heat is stored in the structures being heated, it dissipates slowly, meaning it can keep homes comfortable during power failures or when large doors are opened. And with the right controls, accessories, and installation methods, hydronic radiant heating can help achieve energy efficiency goals while providing warmth and comfort to a home’s occupants in cold climates. “That’s the main reason we designed HUG Hydronics. We were hearing from leaders in construction that in-floor heating was one of the most requested features in any new build,” commented Hunt Utilities Group (HUG) President, developer of HUG Hydronics. “However, the act of setting up a traditional hydronic system would often take two days to complete and the craftsmen who could “Sometimes, when I’m down under a machine fixing it, I don’t want to leave,” joked local farmer Ed Bruley of Milaca, MN. HUG HYDRONICS BECOMING AN INDUSTRY DISRUPTOR www.hughydronics.com
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