If you’re a commercial building owner or design engineer, you are tasked with choosing the best heating and cooling system to maximize occupant comfort. And no one wants complaining occupants.
We’ve made it easy for you. Here’s a list of ten reasons why you should choose a hydronic system:
10. Co-workers can hear each other talk. OK, so maybe this is a drawback in some cases but, in general, hydronic systems don’t have those whooshing noises you hear from other systems. Building occupants can pay attention to that conference call or that story about Henry from accounting falling apart on the back nine.
9. Better indoor humidity control. Hydronic systems help you maintain better humidity control overall. That’s important in the winter when air systems tend to dry the air, and in the summer when you want to ensure that those humidity levels are decreased to maximize comfort.
8. More cheddar. (“Cheddar,” in this case, is synonymous with money.) OK, maybe (and that’s a big maybe) a hydronic system could cost a little more up front. But what you save in energy costs down the line will more than makeup for a few silvers you have to fork over in the beginning.
7. Flexibility. We’re not talking about yoga here. With traditional systems, you have to install lots of big ductwork. With water-based systems? You’ll need a small pipe that uses far less space in your walls & ceilings.
6. Safer fluid. Water is…WATER. It makes sense to use it over a potentially toxic refrigerant.
5. Efficient. Water carries energy MUCH more effectively than air. It’s true.
4. It’s green. “Green” is the buzzword these days. Kermit may have said that it’s not easy being green, but we beg to differ. Energy use in hydronic systems can be significantly less than in other systems. Sometimes up to 60 to 70% less. That’s quite the impact on Mother Earth.
3. Reliability. Hydronic systems are much more reliable than air systems. They are meant to last much longer, hopefully for the life of the building! Hydronic equipment, when properly maintained, should last 25 years or more. An all-air system may last 10 to 20 years, if you’re lucky.
2. It’s water-based. About 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water. About 60% of the adult human body is water. Water is important. And useful. And offers a mean HVAC solution.
And the number one reason to choose a hydronic HVAC system is…
1. You get to work with cool manufacturers and their reps. It’s well known in the industry that hydronics people are just... more awesome. (OK, so maybe I made that up. But you should look into it.)
This is a tongue-in-cheek way to get the point across that hydronic systems should be on the table when you’re choosing your commercial HVAC systems. Occupant comfort is a priority!
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