Multiple Zone Hot Water Heating Systems
Multiple Zone Hot Water Heating Systems are found in homes with a lot of rooms, or any installation where different room temperatures may be desired.
Creating comfort zones for the individuals that inhabit the area is the main objective when installing hydronic or, hot water heating systems of this type.
The basic principle behind hot water heating, is a flow of hot water from a boiler, to the room it's servicing, through copper tubing or now polyethylene tubing, that is installed in a loop or zone configuration.
Each zone will have it's own feed pipe leaving the boiler and it's own return pipe back to the boiler. Along the way the heated water will pass through a finned tube element inside the baseboard units.
These units work on the principle of convection. Air is heated around the finned tubing by the hot water flowing through it. The air then rises out of the baseboard at the top due to the absolute physical property that states hot air rises, always.
Basically what occurs in this process shows that after the air inside the baseboard is heated, it rises up out of the unit and in the mean time cool air is being pulled in from under the baseboard. This air replaces the air that left. This process is continuous as long as the thermostat for the zone is calling.
The sequence of operation with this type of system is quite simple. Each zone has a thermostat that is used to automatically hold a set point that is preordained by the user. Thermostats will vary in their features and the capability to preset times for temperature adjustments to occur automatically when we're away.
These features are good if you are working all day. or if weekend getaways will keep you away for extended periods. The temps can be lowered to save additional fuel costs.
The thermostat calls it's respective zone when the temperature in the room or area goes below the pre set temp. Basically this just closes the contacts for that zone.
A call is sent to the relay and that in turn calls the boiler and the zones respective circulator pump, to begin the process of heating and circulating hot water through the baseboard for that zone.
Each zone will work independently of each other and a flo check valve is incorporated to stop zones from gravity circulating and over heating when another zone calls.
Multiple zone systems have several advantages over single zone heating systems. First of all the limitations of the single zone system will only allow the whole building to be controlled at the same temp. This is no good if you have two or more people with different climate control tastes.
Less work for equipment like pumps and relays when the work load is split up between a few different sub systems.
Breakdowns will be less frequent and the overall life span of the heating equipment can be extended. Also fixing any leaks will extend the lifespan even further as leaks can accelerate the decay of the metals your system is comprised of.
Fuel savings is substantial as not all unused areas have to be heated just because you need to use one room. Unused areas can be turned down low to keep the heating costs at a bare minimum. Your still enjoying the set temperature you like but not wasting heat in unused areas.
The best reason to install a multiple zone hot water heating systems is comfort. Nothings better then being able to control the temperature where ever you'd like it, in any room in the house.
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Comments
I love having zoned hot water heaters. When we were raising our four daughters, it was a life saver to have plenty of water available right where we needed it. We have downsized now, but when we had a larger home, I don't know what we would have done without multiple hot water heaters!
Oh, I just realized that this is a hot water heating system ... not hot water heaters. This sounds like a very interesting type of heating system! (I still stand by what I said about hot water heaters, too!)
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