HE2: The Heating Edge baseboard system

metar28

I'm having a really hard time finding testimonials about the HE2: The Heating Edge

perimeter baseboard heating system. I am building a new home in Orange County,

NY and want to use a propane fired condensing gas boiler (trying to decide

between the Burnham Alpine and Triangular Tube Prestige…that’s a different

question!). I have a quote on what it would cost me extra in materials and

labor to use the HE2 baseboards. Before I make this substantial investment, I

just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing. Want to know how people feel

about using this product (good or bad). Is it worth it? Can’t find any customer

feedback on the Web and I’m waiting for the company to send me something. Spoke

to a sales rep today and he said it is used primarily in institutions but there

are residential applications. I find it hard to believe that with all the

interest in energy efficient technologies and condensing gas boilers that more

people haven’t jumped on the HE2 bandwagon. The sales guy said the company is

behind the times (marketing wise) and that many consumers aren’t even aware of

the product. From everything I’ve read, sure seems to be the way to go if you

are using a mod/con and want to maintain the high efficiency ratings. Using a

conventional system seems to defeat the purpose of a mod/con because of the

high temps required by the metal fabricated baseboards. Maybe I’m missing

something. Any real world experience out there with installing / using this system?

Tim McElwain

I do not install

but have seen it installed and found to be very effective. I am not sure of how pricy it is. It gives high BTU per lineal foot. Here is some info:



Heating Edge HE2 High Capacity Hybrid Element is a perimeter heating (baseboard) product that consists of a unique, patented "coil block" and mounting system. The concept behind the product is to deliver very high BTU/HR capacities (output) using minimal footage compared to conventional baseboard. It's also designed with a mounting system that does away with all brackets and hangers, making for much easier installations.





       

Features:





       

•          High capacity



•          Easy to install, rust resistant and easy to clean



•          Available in a variety of lengths from 2 ft. up to 8 ft.



•          Attractive perforated cover design



•          Designed to deliver quiet comfort with performance and style



•          New enhanced scrub board fin design for maximum airflow



•          Superior low temperature performance range



•          Simple two piece mounting system – no brackets or hangers



•          Two pipe supply





Where Heating Edge HE2 really shines is in low temperature applications. Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal and PVT Collectors and Condensing Boilers are all great ways to save energy and reduce fossil fuel usage. All three achieve their highest efficiencies when delivering low temperature water. The challenge faced when it comes to heating effectively with traditional baseboard is that supply water temperatures need to be at least 140° F in order to deliver enough BTU's to sufficiently heat a space at design temperature. Not so with Heating Edge. Due to HE2's unique two pipe design, it's able to deliver comparable BTU/H's using 100° F supply water*, all in an attractive package.



It is avaialble here in New England at:



Smiths Environmental Products

300 Pond Street

Randolph, MA

 

CMadatMe

Panel Rads

Heatloss, heatloss, heatloss. Without it can design or advise on anything. Not a flat whole house loss either. Would need a room room, zone by zone loss. One can't properly design and size a system without them.



Personally, I'd be looking at the comparison of using a condensing boiler with Panel rads compared to using basic baseboard or hi-temp baseboard before I'd even look at the added investment on this product. This gives you the choice to chooose which fits and works best in your application. You may not necessarily need the added expense of the HE. I would also be looking at the Viessmann Vitodens before making my decision on boiler choice. Boiler is at the price point of the others you mentioned.