Want to heat with wood pellets? The Wood Pellet Association of Canada has launched a new site to help adopters learn more about how to use pellets, where to find them and what the costs are.
Click on the logo to the right to take you to www.woodpelletheat.ca
Click on the logo to the right to take you to www.woodpelletheat.ca
Forced Air & Hydronic Heating Systems
HydronicHydronic heaters (or boilers) heat water which is then circulated through your home or building. The heat is released using radiators, forced air and in-floor heat. The water is then returned back to the boiler to be re-heated and distributed again. Hydronic heat is recognized as the most efficient and comfortable.
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Forced AirA forced air system uses ductwork running throughout a building to move cold air into the furnace where it is heated directly. Forced air furnaces are ubiquitous in Canada. It is simple and seamless to convert a forced air system to wood heat!
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What's The Difference?
The main difference between radiant and forced air heat is comfort. The picture below shows how the hydronic method (radiant) has much more consistent heat throughout the room compared to the forced air heating. In addition, a boiler based heating system requires much less electricity to operate. While heating with wood favours hydronic heat forced air wood heating systems are routinely installed.
Thermal Storage
Thermal energy storage is like a battery for a building’s heating system. Automated wood heating systems require thermal storage (buffer tank) due to the nature of burning wood. This is clear when you think about firewood. Once you get a wood fire going you can't easily shut it off. Thermal storage allows excess heat to be stored for use later in the day. While it is possible to turn off wood pellet or chip combustion by stoping fuel feed there will still be excess heat generated. While wood pellet and wood chip systems still require thermal storage, the thermal battery can be much smaller that required for a firewood system.
Often the thermal storage tank (buffer tank) is something that is unfamiliar to Canadian home owners. This tank is an integral part of a modern and efficient wood heating system and understanding it's role is worth it.
Often the thermal storage tank (buffer tank) is something that is unfamiliar to Canadian home owners. This tank is an integral part of a modern and efficient wood heating system and understanding it's role is worth it.
Further information
Caleffi is the leading Italian manufacturer of high-quality components for heating, plumbing, air conditioning, heat metering and renewable systems, for domestic and industrial plants. They provide a wide range of education of their hydronic products and how they work within the systems.
