Which term describes a heating system that uses liquid water or steam to convey heat through pipes?

Which term describes a heating system that uses liquid water or steam to convey heat through pipes?

• A. Forced-air system
• B. Electric radiant system
• C. Hydronic system
• D. Baseboard heating system

Answer: (C)

Hydronic heating describes a system that uses liquid water or steam circulated through pipes to transfer heat from a boiler to radiators, baseboard convectors, or radiant flooring. The boiler heats the water, a pump moves it through a closed loop, and as the water releases its heat, it returns to be reheated. This method provides even warmth with relatively low air movement, unlike systems that rely on blown air. The other options involve heating methods that don’t use water or steam in pipes: forced-air moves heated air through ducts, electric radiant uses electric resistance elements, and baseboard heating can be either hydronic or electric, but the description specifically pointing to water or steam in pipes identifies the hydronic approach.

Hydronic heating describes a system that uses liquid water or steam circulated through pipes to transfer heat from a boiler to radiators, baseboard convectors, or radiant flooring. The boiler heats the water, a pump moves it through a closed loop, and as the water releases its heat, it returns to be reheated. This method provides even warmth with relatively low air movement, unlike systems that rely on blown air. The other options involve heating methods that don’t use water or steam in pipes: forced-air moves heated air through ducts, electric radiant uses electric resistance elements, and baseboard heating can be either hydronic or electric, but the description specifically pointing to water or steam in pipes identifies the hydronic approach.