hydronisch

Hydronisch, from the roots related to water, is an adjective used to describe systems and principles that rely on circulating liquids, usually water, to transfer heat or cold within a building or process. In English the term is hydronic. Hydronisch systems use a heat source such as a boiler, heat pump, or solar thermal collector to heat the fluid, which is pumped through a network of pipes to emitters such as radiators, baseboard heaters, or radiant flooring. For cooling applications, chilled water is circulated to achieve temperature reduction through similar surfaces.

A typical hydronisch system consists of a heat source, a distribution network of pipes with pumps, expansion tanks, and valves, heat emitters, and the working fluid, commonly water or a glycol-water mixture for freeze protection. Controls may include thermostats, zoning, outdoor reset strategies, and variable-speed pumps to match the building load. The system operates by transferring heat from the source to the circulating fluid and then to the occupied spaces through emitters, or, in cooling, by removing heat from spaces into the chilled water loop.

Hydronisch systems are valued for energy efficiency, comfortable and uniform heat distribution, and compatibility with high-efficiency boilers, heat pumps, and renewable heat sources. They support diverse applications, including radiant floor heating, radiant ceilings or walls, radiator circuits, and district heating connections. Challenges include the need for skilled design and installation, ongoing maintenance, and management of water quality to prevent corrosion or fouling; freeze protection is essential in cold climates.