definition
strict definition
hydronic floor heating
An underfloor heating system circulating boiler-heated water through closely spaced pipes in a closed loop.
Hydronic floor heating is a heating system using closely-spaced pipes embedded in the floor in a closed loop, with water fed from a boiler. The water may be mixed with an antifreeze such as propylene glycol.
This heating type is similar to electric coil floor heating; together they form variants of the more common term "radiant floor heating".
Water carries the heat through the floor pipes; antifreeze can be added but is optional. Electric floor coils instead generate heat electrically within the floor, without that water circuit.
Related definitions
-
coal heating
A building heating system that burns coal on the site and distributes the resulting heat, normally through air ducts. -
electric coils in floor
Heating is generated by passing electric current through heating coils embedded in the floors. -
electric convectors
Electric heaters that warm surrounding air and create circulation through the density difference between warm and cool air. -
fireplace
An open hearth where wood is burned to heat the adjoining interior space, distinct from an enclosed wood stove. -
forced air
Room-level or floor-level electric heating with fans beside heated coils, excluding fuel-fired ducted heating. -
gas heating (central)
Heating is generated for the whole building by burning natural gas on the site. -
gas heating (floor-by-floor)
Natural-gas heating with an individual burner serving a room, space, or floor rather than central ducted distribution. -
geothermal heating
Heating is generated by transferring natural heat underneath the building or nearby into the interior. -
heat pump
A heating system mechanically transferring heat from nearby air or water into a building, with geothermal heating listed separately. -
oil heating
A building heating system that burns oil products on the site, normally distributing the resulting heat through air ducts. -
pellet stove
An interior heating system using a stove which burns compact pellets of biomass or compressed wood. -
radiators
Heating devices that transfer heat from circulating water, steam, or another heated substance through a large metal surface. -
remote heat generation
Heat is supplied by an external heating plant, and delivered in the form of a heat conductor such as water. -
solar heating (active)
A building heating system supplied by electricity generated from solar radiation by photovoltaic panels on the site. -
wood oven
A building heating system burning wood in enclosed chambers, either centrally or in separate floors or units.