vesikiertoinen

Vesikiertoinen is a Finnish term meaning “water-circulating.” It describes systems, equipment, or processes in which water serves as the circulating medium to transfer heat or energy. In building services, vesikiertoinen typically refers to hydronic heating and cooling systems, where a pump circulates heated water from a boiler, heat pump, or solar collector through a closed network of pipes to radiators, convectors, or floor heating circuits, and back to the heat source.

Compared with air-based systems, vesikiertoinen systems rely on liquid transport to move energy, which can provide efficient temperature control and even distribution, especially in multi-room installations. In cooling applications, circulating water absorbs heat from spaces or equipment and releases it elsewhere. The approach is widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings and can be integrated with renewable heat sources.

Design and operation considerations include pump sizing, pipe routing and insulation, pressure management, and water quality to prevent corrosion, scaling, or leaks. In cold climates, antifreeze additives or glycol mixtures may be used to prevent freezing. Vesikiertoinen systems are valued for their flexibility, quiet operation, and compatibility with underfloor heating and other low-temperature emitters.

Etymology: vesikiertoinen comes from ves i (water) + kiertoinen (circulating).

See also: hydronic heating, hydronic cooling, closed-loop system, underfloor heating, radiator system.