Hydronic systems — heating with hot water — are very versatile, yet they are used in only a small fraction of homes in the United States. 

Sometimes it isn’t easy to sell a hydronic heating concept to a homeowner — even if it’s the right option to save money, conserve energy and increase comfort.

If you’re a subscriber to PHC News — as you should be — and reading this right now — as you most certainly are — you’ve probably been involved with a radiant floor design, radiant floor installation or, at least, wish you had.  

If you do a quick search of the phrase “required reading,” you’re likely to see the names of classic books such as “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Catcher in the Rye” and “Fahrenheit 451.” 

We have so many options to consider these days when designing or installing hydronic systems. 

I got my Sheet Metal Worker’s Journeyman card from Local 73 in Chicago in 1987. 

I’d like to share them with you. I hope they help you as much as they helped me.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve sold most of the remaining HVAC parts and components I had. Sometimes, I wish I hadn’t, but there’s only so much you can store in a 410-square-foot shop.