With today’s advances in heating technology, an opportunity exists to improve on the many benefits offered by a Radiant Floor Heating system. By utilizing modern hydronic controls, Radiant Floor Heating systems can satisfy the seemingly contradictory desires for ultimate comfort and high efficiency.

OUTDOOR RESET CONTROLS The trouble-free operation of a radiant floor heating system is achieved through the integration of various hydronic control components. This "high tech" portion of the overall system includes electronic and mechanical devices that automatically adjust water temperature as the outdoor temperature changes. The ability to adjust heating water temperature, so that the heat input closely matches heat loss while keeping a constant flow rate, is known as outdoor reset control and offers numerous benefits to the homeowner and their heating equipment. 



IMPORTANCE OF OUTDOOR RESET CONTROLS A properly installed reset control system can closely track heat loss as it changes with an outdoor temperature sensor, rather than waiting for an indoor thermostat to turn systems on or off. This is especially important with slab on grade or thin mass systems that have long response times. Outdoor reset is similar to automotive cruise control that anticipates the hills and valleys to minimize both lag (too cool inside) and overshoot (too warm inside).

Extends Mechanical Life & Increases Energy Efficiency: With outdoor reset, zone valves and zone pumps can have longer on/off cycles or can remain continuously operating throughout the entire heating system - which extends the mechanical life and reduces the start-up energy consumption.Additionally, reset controls offer both the capability to limit maximum supply temperature - which is important for the protection of certain hardwood floors - and to limit minimum boiler return temperatures - which is critical for certain types of boilers. "Smart" reset controls also optimize boiler cycle times, so boilers fire (ignite) less often but remain functioning longer when they do fire. This increases boiler life and efficiency, because a boiler, like a car engine, is not efficient until several minutes after continuous operation.



Protects Heat Source: The last aspect of reset controls to discuss is protection of the heat source, especially, in a non-condensing, cast iron boiler that requires protection against condensation and thermal shock. Since radiant floor heating systems are low-temperature systems, they generally need supply water less than 135° F, and often return water much lower than this temperature. Proper mixing control is recommended to avoid condensation of the flue gases, and to avoid thermal shock – which can, over time, lead to cracking and failure of the boiler casting. Most reset control systems monitor the water temperature returning to the boiler, and will adjust the mixing device to keep this return temperature above the programmed minimum.