Forced Air Furnace Vs Hydronic

These are properly known as hydro air systems which is a hydronic heating system combined with the power of forced air.

Forced air furnace vs hydronic.

Hydronic heat is sometimes touted as more comfortable than forced air heat. In the former air is drawn from the room by powerful fans. While a forced air system uses air to transfer heat from the furnace to the room hydronic heating uses water. Though you may see this term floating around the internet be advised that this is just another name for a steam or boiler heating system.

Baseboard heating vs forced air the difference. Ideally homes should be heated with mildly warm air even less than 130 degrees. Hydronic on most other comfort issues radiant heat is far superior. Warm air mixes into a room more evenly stratifies less and is much more comfortable.

Forced air a benefit to forced air is that it has the ability to quickly raise temperatures whereas hydronic heating can be slow with temperature changes due to the use of thermal mass. The main job of the baseboard heater is to prevent the entry of cold from the external environment while the forced air generates heat through the extensive ductwork system. Very hot air can cause problems in a forced air system. It is then passed through a heating chamber before being pumped back to the room.

In this system an oil or gas hot water boiler heats water which is then is transferred to a coil in an air handling unit. But since the typical hydronic system is significantly more expensive than the typical hot air system especially if cooling is included this is an apples to oranges comparison.