While a lot of attention is paid to efficient boilers and
innovative radiators, the design of the piping system is often
what makes or breaks a hydronic heat system. A good piping
system can be the difference between a noisy, uncomfortable,
energy-wasteful system, and one that brings even comfort to
all the rooms in a house.
To design an efficient system, you must match the heat
source to the "heat emitters" — that is, radiators and convectors.
Some types of heat emitters are best suited for relatively
high-temperature heat sources. For example, the familiar
finned-tube baseboard convectors, used in many residential
and light-commercial buildings, work well with water temperatures
above 150°F, but