The photo in Figure 1 shows a non-pressurized outdoor wood-fired furnace connected to a floor heating subsystem via two PEX tubes. It includes a cast iron circulator, a thermostatic 3-way valve for mixing, a bypass linking supply and return tubes, and an "expansion zone" for another floor heating circuit. This setup is in a multi-million dollar home. Are there any potential issues with the installation?

A project needs medium- and low-temperature radiant floor panels. The installer proposes using a mod/con boiler with a 1-inch tempering valve for lower temperatures and plans to pipe the entire system with 1-inch tubing. What potential issues could arise from this design?

The two photos below were from the same project. Flow is upward through the vertical pipe in Figure 1. Without any more details being described, can you spot at least two problems in each photo?

The new EC Motor-Driven, high-efficiency, wet-rotor circulator pump for the residential and commercial HVAC market is designed to improve performance and save energy consumption.

Can you diagnose why this glitch is happening, and suggest alternate methods for constructing this portion of the system?

Many hydronic installers look for ways to differentiate their work, to craft a specific look — maybe even a “brand” — that resonates with customers. For Fernando Lobo, owner of Fairfield, Connecticut-based 1 Call Services, that unique look begins with the raw material list he builds when sizing a boiler replacement, or new boiler install.

Can you spot at least 5 causes for concern among these three photos? If so, what would you do to correct them?

Water-to-water heat pumps, supplied from geothermal earth loops, represent a growing sector of the hydronic heat source market. Most current-generation models can produce water temperatures up to about 125° F, perhaps a little higher if you’re willing to push the compressor operating envelope.

 All boilers that burn hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil or wood produce water vapor as a byproduct of combustion.

The Circulator Savings Calculator communicates potential savings across the industry.