Hydronic balancing

What is hydronic balancing and what's the status quo?

Hydronic balancing is a challenge that occurs in heating & cooling systems using liquid to transfer heat. It applies to underfloor heating, radiator heating, fan coils heating/cooling.

To learn more about the issue of hydronic balancing we recommend you to watch this video from Siemens that explains why balancing matters, how it's performed and common symptoms of unbalanced systems: https://youtu.be/0q7k6jilGbU?si=3Gn90YGDGvtfsPOU&t=47

Balancing can be achieved in multiple ways, e.g. with self-balancing radiator valves like Danfoss RAS-B2 or with PICVs offered by e.g. Siemens, Danfoss, Honeywell and others. All those solutions, however, require pipe work.

Balancing can also be achieved with extensive calculations and measurements of the building fabric and heating system pipe network using Method A or Method B. You can learn more about both methods here. Method B is used widely for more complex heating systems.

When is balancing required?

When any change is done to a building that changes the heat loss charecteristics or the heating network. E.g.:

• Changing windows

• Upgrading facade with isolation

• Changing the size of the radiators.

• Changing the heat source (boiler/heatpump) and most pipework modifications.

How does MClimate help achieve hydraulic balancing?

MClimate has two methods to achieve hydronic balancing:

1. The first one is a reinvention of the popular Method B.

   1. It makes it easier to collect the data for heat load calculation according to DIN 12831.

   2. It allows for complete set of documentation required for balancing proof as per the German regulations.

   3. Combined with our Smart Radiator Thermostat - Vicki LoRaWAN, it saves time compared to manual radiator thermostats.

   4. Is applicable in whole Europe.

   5. It requires extensive scanning and entering data about the building in a dedicated online website.

2. The second one is a TUV-certified method MClimate has developed.

   1. It complies with DIN EN 94679-4 (still a draft standard) - "Hydronic systems in heating, cooling and ventilation installations - Part 4: Temperature-based alternatives to hydronic balancing"

   2. It requires usage of the MClimate Enteprise (for free) during the hydronic balancing calibration.

   3. It takes 2-4 days to complete and then connection with the MClimate Enterprise can be stopped.

   4. It includes calculating the heat up coefficient of rooms. The heat up coefficient is a number that represents how fast or slow does a room heat up.

What is the workflow for both methods?

1. Method B - DIN 12831

   1. Project registration: You have to register the project with us. It means providing us with building address and floor plans.

   2. Building scan: You have to scan the entire building with a software we provide you with. It’s a LiDAR scanning app we have exclusive access to. It requires iPhone 14 or higher or iPad with LiDAR.

   3. Radiators verification: During the scanning you have to also double-check the type and size of the radiator. The app is recognizing them, but you have to make sure the values are correct.

   4. Valves verifications: You also have to select the correct brand and model of valve on each radiator thermostatic valve, as well as the pipe size and the current balancing setting.

   5. Report output: At the end, you get a report as if a heating system engineers have performed the survey. It’s in full compliance with the requirements for Method B balancing.

   6. Last step is to confirm with us that the installation is complete and we’ll send you a report which radiator must be set to what max valve openness.

Method B is currently considered more accurate, but it also requires more time investment into the project. As outlined, it requires extensive data collection and refinement.

When registering the project with us, we'll give you access to the mentioned software.

1. Temperature-based hydronic balancing - DIN 94679-4 (draft)

   1. Install the devices: You install the devices as usual.

   2. Connect to MClimate Enterprise: You need to connect the devices to our MClimate Enterprise software for free.

   3. Hydronic calibration: You need to run the Hydronic balancing calibration. It’s a procedure that takes 2-4 days and is best ran during the night and the boiler must be running.

   4. Track process to completion: You track the hydronic balancing calibration progress in the Enterprise and once that's completed, you could remove the connection to the Enterprise and another system (e.g. BMS) can take over.

I want to use MClimate Vicki to perform hydronic balancing, what are the next steps?

Until we've documented both methods thoroughly, please get in touch with us for more information.

Please reach out to [email protected] with the following information:

• Which method do you want to use

• Address and type of the building (residential, commercial, mixed-use, hotel, etc.)

• Approximate number of thermostats required for the project

• Timeline of your project

• In Germany: Are you applying for a grant or a subsidy and which one(s)?

Both methods are suitable for 2-pipe heating systems. Method B is usually not applicable to 1-pipe heating systems whereas DIN 94679 could improve the balancing of the system.