A Picture-Frame Thermostat

The Venstar ColorTouch thermostat takes customization to a new level, making it easy to customize its touch screen display. Use the default nature and holiday themes or add personal photos. With the included SD card, load a single picture to serve as the background or a slideshow with up to 100 images for the screensaver. White, black, silver, and wood grain faceplates can further enhance the décor of any room. Find more thermostats and Venstar products on SupplyHouse.com.

Use a Tankless with an Indirect Water Heater

Indirect water heaters take advantage of an existing hydronic heating system to provide large amounts of domestic hot water very efficiently. An indirect tank serves as a priority zone on a heating system. When water in the tank drops below the setpoint temperature, fluid from the heating system flows through the tank. This fluid heats domestic water, but does not touch it or contaminate it. Energy from the heating system is transferred to domestic water through a coil in most cases, although some indirect water heaters feature a tank-inside-of-a-tank design.

Since boilers must run throughout the heating season anyway, they can heat domestic water without expending much additional energy during this period. A boiler must also operate over the summer months in order to power an indirect water heater, which can be less efficient. Using a tankless water heater when the boiler is not needed to heat the building may be worth considering, especially for those who live in areas that have relatively short heating seasons. Tankless heaters offer an ideal solution thanks to their small size and ability to produce more hot water in times of year during which supply water temperatures are higher. Find indirect water heaters, tankless water heaters, and more on SupplyHouse.com.

Underground Pipe Insulation

K-Flex Insul-Lock pipe insulation, available online at SupplyHouse.com, provides freeze protection and minimizes heat loss and heat gain in pipes. A pre-slit adhesive strip makes installation easy. Watch our installation video here. Insul-Lock comes in six-foot lengths for a variety of pipe sizes, with wall thicknesses ranging from 3/8” to 1”.

The insulation can be buried underground if you take proper precautions. To prevent water absorption, bury insulation that is above the water table in 3" to 5" of sand. Below the water table, encase the insulation in a conduit (concrete, PVC, etc.). This method is optimal for all installations. In order to guard against compression of the insulation, the manufacturer recommends using insulation a size thicker than would be needed for above-grade applications.

Watch: Baseboarders Installation

Baseboarders do-it-yourself baseboard heater covers work with most hydronic and many electric baseboard heaters. They provide a unique, modern look, while protecting against rust and preventing small children from burning their hands. The semi-gloss white powder coated surface can be spray-painted to match any design. SupplyHouse.com offers the full-line of Baseboarders products with fast and easy delivery. Best of all, Baseboarders covers are simple to install. Watch our new video to find out just how simple and is and pick up installation tips.

Underground Pipe Insulation

K-Flex Insul-Lock
pipe insulation, available online at PexSupply.com, provides freeze protection
and minimizes heat loss and heat gain in pipes. A pre-slit adhesive strip makes
installation easy. Watch our installation video here. Insul-Lock comes in
six-foot lengths for a variety of pipe sizes, with wall thicknesses ranging
from 3/8” to 1”.

The insulation can be
buried underground if you take proper precautions. To prevent
water absorption, bury insulation that is above the water table in 3" to 5" of sand. Below the water table, encase the insulation in a conduit (concrete, PVC, etc.). This method is optimal for all installations. In
order to guard against compression of the insulation, the manufacturer
recommends using insulation a size thicker than would be needed for above-grade
applications.

Use a Tankless with an Indirect Water Heater

Indirect water heaters take advantage of an existing hydronic heating system to provide
large amounts of domestic hot water very efficiently. An indirect tank serves
as a priority zone on a heating system. When water in the tank drops below
the setpoint temperature, fluid from the heating system flows through the tank.
This fluid heats domestic water, but does not touch it or contaminate it.
Energy from the heating system is transferred to domestic water through a coil
in most cases, although some indirect water heaters feature a
tank-inside-of-a-tank design.

Since boilers
must run throughout the heating season anyway, they can heat domestic water without
expending much additional energy during this period. A boiler must also operate over the summer
months in order to power an indirect water heater, which can be less efficient. Using a
tankless water heater when the boiler is not needed to heat the building may be
worth considering, especially for those who live in areas that have relatively
short heating seasons. Tankless heaters offer an ideal solution thanks to their
small size and ability to produce more hot water in times of year during which
supply water temperatures are higher. Find indirect water heaters, tankless
water heaters, and more on PexSupply.com.

Honeywell Adaptive Intelligent Recovery

Programmable thermostats can provide energy savings by automatically reducing temperature settings overnight and during unoccupied periods. They function most effectively in heating systems with rapid heat-up and cool-down times, such as forced-air systems. In-floor hydronic radiant heat systems present a particularly difficult challenge for programmable thermostats. Such systems take a long time to heat up, and can even overheat the space as temperatures continue to rise after the set point has been reached and the system turns off.

Honeywell’s Adaptive Intelligent Recovery thermostat feature can help solve these problems. VisionPRO 8000, FocusPRO 6000, PRO 4000, and BasicPRO 2000 programmable thermostats all have this feature, which determines the length of time it takes for systems to achieve set point temperatures. They start systems early enough for them to reach their settings by the scheduled time, without overshooting the temperature. Find these thermostats and other Honeywell products on SupplyHouse.com.

hePEX: Now NSF Approved

Oxygen barrier PEX tubing is generally used in closed-loop heating systems to prevent oxygen diffusion and corrosion of ferrous metal components. Most brands of oxygen barrier PEX are not code-approved for use with potable water.

Now, all Uponor hePEX oxygen barrier pipe meets the necessary NSF codes for domestic water systems. Use extra hePEX tubing from a heating job on your next plumbing project, or buy hePEX coils to meet all your needs. Current hePEX tubing carries cNSFus pw-rfh ASTM F876/877 and PEX 5006 ratings stamped on the tubing. Older hePEX was manufactured using the same formula and would be safe in potable systems. Visit SupplyHouse.com for more Uponor products and PEX tubing.

Nest Wifi Learning Thermostat

Heating and cooling account for approximately 50% of a home’s yearly energy usage. The Nest Programmable Learning Thermostat adds efficiency right at the control for these systems, combining the best features of traditional thermostats with new technology. Its round body makes it easy to adjust settings by turning the dial right or left, and a color screen automatically adjusts brightness levels based on the amount of light in the house.

Initially, the Nest thermostat operates like a standard, non-programmable thermostat. Occupants change the temperature as they normally would, perhaps turning the heat up when they wake up and turning it down when they leave for work. Within a week, the Nest thermostat learns these habits and creates a customized program schedule to maximize comfort and efficiency. As an added bonus, Nest thermostats can be controlled remotely –- online and through the Nest mobile app, which each provide energy usage reports.

The Nest thermostat is rated at 24 volts and includes a lithium-ion battery, meaning that no common wire is needed in most applications. Occupancy sensors, an “away” mode, auto-changeover, system match capability, and a five-year warranty further enhance operation. Find the Nest thermostat at SupplyHouse.com.

Burnham Alpine Boilers

Burnham’s Alpine Series of condensing gas boilers offers Energy Star-rated 96% efficiency. Featuring a high-grade stainless steel heat exchanger and an included PVC vent kit, Alpine models work with natural or LP gas. Most Alpine boilers can be wall-mounted or floor-mounted.

The built-in Sage 2.1 control provides a touchscreen display, outdoor reset control, warm weather shutdown, domestic water priority, multiple circulator connections, and the ability to link up to eight boilers. Diagnostic assistance and over a hundred help screens aid troubleshooting. Visit SupplyHouse.com today to browse our selection of Burnham boilers and watch our video on the Alpine.

Triangle Tube High Efficiency Boilers

Triangle Tube offers high efficiency gas boilers for a wide array of hydronic heating applications. The Prestige Series includes two models. Prestige Solo boilers feature Fire Tube self-cleaning stainless steel heat exchangers and compact bodies. The new Trimax control speeds up system setup and connects to multiple circulators, controls, and boilers.

Prestige Excellence models combine all these features with domestic hot water. A built-in indirect water heater eliminates the need for a separate water heater, which saves on space and simplifies venting and installation.

Challenger Combination boilers provide domestic water with dual-purpose heat exchangers. They are one of the most compact boilers on the market today.

All of the boilers use condensing technology and can reach efficiency levels in excess of 95%. Find these and more Triangle Tube products at SupplyHouse.com.

Lots of Options with the Multi/Pak

Slant/Fin Multi/Pak 80 baseboards only come with a single baseboard per package. The series derives its name from the fact that the covers work with multiple elements. Only the standard 3/4” H-3 element can be purchased as part of a complete assembly with cover. The high capacity 3/4” H-1, 1” H-4, 1-1/4” H-5X, and 1-1/4” steel H-6X elements are available individually to be installed with cover-only models.

With higher BTU output potential than standard baseboards, the Multi/Pak 80 is an ideal choice for rooms with limited wall space. The covers feature rust resistant nu-white galvanized steel and the H-6X element functions in either steam or hot water systems. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find more Slant/Fin baseboards and accessories.

Expansion Tank Mounting Positions

Expansion tanks can be installed in any direction. Whether oriented uprightly, horizontally, or even upside down, the expansion tank will function properly without any adverse effects. When putting an expansion in an abnormal position (specifically sideways or horizontally), make sure to support the tank. Without proper support, the expansion tank could break off its mounting pipe -- especially if the tank fails and fills with water. Find Amtrol expansion tanks at SupplyHouse.com.

Floor Sensor for Radiant Heat

Floor sensors are a great add-on for in-floor hydronic radiant heating systems. Installed directly in the slab or in a conduit, the sensors can be connected to compatible thermostats to establish high and low limits for the surface temperature, which take precedence over the room air setting. Use floor sensors to protect wood flooring, prevent rooms with dual heat sources from overheating, and to make the floor comfortable for small children or pets. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find Tekmar's 511 and 519 thermostats with floor sensor.

Radiant Heat PEX Stapler

PEX tubing must be secured prior to the concrete pour during in-slab radiant heat installations. The most popular way to do this is with zip ties. Spaced 24 to 32 inches apart with additional ties at each bend, zip ties are a cost-effective method.

A stapler can speed up the process and save valuable time for contractors. SupplyHouse.com carries PEX staplers and staples from Uponor, Malco, and Peter Mangone that connect PEX to foam board insulation beneath a concrete slab.

Taco's Enhanced Zoning Controls

Taco controls have always provided industry-leading quality, flexibility, and ease of installation. Their new ‘-4’ enhanced zone controls retain all the features of previous models, with improvements suggested by contractors in the field. The convenient indicator lights, formerly located on the side of the controls, are now on top. Priority zoning now comes standard, relays are factory-sealed to increase lifespan in any location, and wiring is simplified with added options. Find all of Taco’s switching relays and zone valve controls at SupplyHouse.com.

Webstone Valves at SupplyHouse

Webstone manufactures specialty valves and flanges for hydronic applications. Their Isolator ball valve flanges work with any standard flanged circulator pump and have options for drains and T-handles. Models with the new T-flow ball feature direct flow into the drain from either side of the ball. The Expansion Tank Pro Service Valve includes a drain and simplifies connections to expansion tanks, air eliminators, and make-up water supplies. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find these products and the complete selection of Webstone valves.

Heat Exchanger Sizing

Heat exchangers transfer heat between two mediums without allowing them to come into direct contact. Make sure to size heat exchangers correctly, whether you need one for a snow melt or swimming pool application or to isolate open and closed hydronic heating loops. FlatPlate offers a website for heat exchanger sizing. Sign up for free here, and go to SupplyHouse.com to purchase FlatPlate heat exchangers.

Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat

Don’t update your heating or cooling system without upgrading your thermostat. Internet-enabled thermostats are the future of the industry and Honeywell’s new Wi-Fi VisionPRO makes it easy to switch. This low-voltage thermostat is compatible with hydronic systems and furnaces up to 3 heat/2 cool. With the same programmability features and sensor capabilities as standard VisionPRO models, the Wi-Fi version also provides access to the thermostat through your home’s Wi-Fi network and remote control through Honeywell’s Total Connect Comfort website and app. Using Adaptive Intelligent Recovery technology, the thermostat conforms to your system to meet desired temperatures at optimal times. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find the Wi-Fi VisionPRO and more Honeywell thermostats.

Circulator Pump Shut-off Flanges

Most circulator pumps in hydronic heating systems connect to system piping via a flanged connection. The flanges needed to make these connections are not usually included with the circulator and are available in several different pipes sizes with either sweat or threaded connections. SupplyHouse.com carries pump flanges from all the leading circulator and flange manufacturers.

Shut-off flanges (also known as service or isolation flanges) can make the job of servicing or replacing a circulator much easier. These flanges isolate the pump from the rest of the system, ensuring that only water between the flanges will be lost and that the entire system will not have to be drained and refilled.

For more information on circulator pump replacement, watch our new video.