A Simple Question that I couldn't answer

RSM

Hello,

A colleague of mine the other day asked a very simple question that I couldn't answer. I was hoping someone in the forum could provide some perspective. The question was "What's the typical size of a residential hydronic heating system." I.e how many radiators are there, typical boiler size, pipe sizing. I know this is vague and there are many factors involved such as the size of the home, but I'm sure there's an average that most Contractors or Industry Professionals see in a given day or week. Thanks.

nicholas bonham-carter

How deep is a well?
Supply houses could perhaps answer how large the most popular size they sell would be.—NBC

Ironman

Or, how long is a piece of rope?

However, I have found that the AVERAGE 3 bedroom home that's about 1500 sq. ft. needs less than 50k btus.

Most heating systems are way over-sized.

delta T

By far the most common size of mod con for me to order is an 85,000 with 10:1 turn down if there is DHW, or a 55,000 with a 5:1 turndown without DHW. The low modulation is almost identical on each one, and the extra room on top with the 85,000allows for a faster DHW recovery.

However.....I have put everything from 55,000 to 300,000 in a residential setting (the 300,000 was a MASSIVE house with a central boiler supplying DHW and heating to the house and two outbuildings)

jumper

New houses need little heat in Canada. So tight that ERV required. So radiant can be electric. Hydronic nowadays is usually for bigger building than an individual home.

But existing HHW in older Canadian homes usually at least 200,000 BTU.

RSM

Thank you all for your insight!