Hydronic Zone Propane Heating System

[akadeadeye]

Can Someone explain to me what this is, versus 2 AC/Heat Pump units and why I should get one. We are about a week away from ordering a new Newmar. Some have suggested we should have this and some have suggested we will be fine with the two heat pump AC units, considering the cost difference.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Don

[rcoleman]

I am no expert here but Hydronic refers to water circulation system of some sort that would be similar to a baseboard hot water systems in a house. Zone implies the ability to control the amount of heat in specific area of the coach and it all runs on propane versus AC as does the heat pump systems. HEre is a kink to a site that has a lot more detail Hydronic System Page.

Historically hotwater baseboard heat in homes has been considered one of he most comfortable home heating systems with no fan noise.

[DonnaB]

Hi Don,

When we were ordering our coach I wasn't really sure I wanted the hydronic system. Mainly because I had a view of them being noisy & smelly. They can be both, but I can tell you after having this one, I would NEVER have another coach without one.

The heat pumps will only work down to just below freezing with less efficiency the colder it gets. We have the Aqua Hot small unit (Hydrohot). It is in effect a small diesel boiler that also has an electric element that heats up and then has multiple blowers in different zones. Ours has a thermostat controlled zone for the front, the bedroom area and the water bay. The wonderful thing is unlimited hot water. You can shower as long as you like and your partner can jump in and do likewise and you will never run out of hot water. That is assuming of course that you have no restrictions on water volume in & out.

They can be noisy (but quieter than the propane furnace we used to have) and smelly just like any other diesel exhaust. We use a genturi stack on ours when parked in close quarters to mitigate those issues. Do check to see if what they are offering is a diesel burner which will use from your fuel tank or I understand some are now propane which will determine which fuel source you will need to keep replenished.

We have been using where off the fuel tank for a month in the winter and you don't notice any used fuel volume. This is because it is quite efficient and you control when the diesel is in use. When in cold areas, we use ours for initial heat in the morning then fill in with the heat pumps or cube heaters if needed. We always run the diesel burner when taking showers as the electric element will only accomodate a short shower, but if we are plugged in, will use the electric element for other daily hot water activities.

I feel it gives you the best of all options in your heating hot water needs.

[Route 66]

I passed on the Hydronic option as I didn't plan to be in cold weather, but it would be great to have it in cooler weather.

The system is either propane or diesel powered depending which model of motorhome you buy.

[Norm4015]

I can see only one problem with a propane hydronic system and that is how much propane it uses in cold weather. I would much prefer a diesel fired system.

["007"]

rcoleman welcome to the Newmar forum and irv2.
Thanks for the link to heating systems.
Enjoy the forums and do post often.

[BigSkyBob]

Times two what DonnaB said. I wouldn't have another coach without the Aqua-Hot system. My engine has never been started cold and we have never run out of hot water.

[akadeadeye]

Thanks to all for the input, and especially to Donna for your detailed input. It is invaluable to us to be able to weigh what is important.

We live in the south, but plan on traveling in the north quite a bit, so I think we are leaning toward having the hydronic system.

Thank you very much for your replies.

Don

[John34]

Propanes only negative in my opinon is that you don't carry as much propane as you do diesel fuel. I have been getting propane cheaper than diesel fuel. However, it is available in the Ventana model not the diesel one. So,you can get something better than just the furnance with out buying more expensive pusher. My Ventana has it and its quieter than the regular squirel cage furnance with no diesel smell or extra maintenance. I use my heatpumps when I can then the furnance on nights that will be in the high 30's. I have been very happy with my propane hydronic furnance and wouldnt want to be with out if I had the choice. I dont know the BTU versus propane consumption to compare to diesel,but like I said it was all I could afford in a coach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015 I can see only one problem with a propane hydronic system and that is how much propane it uses in cold weather. I would much prefer a diesel fired system.