Pumping Away by Dan Holohan: How This Book Can Help You Master Hydronic Heating
Pumping Away by Dan Holohan: A Review
If you are a HVAC professional or a homeowner who wants to learn more about hydronic heating systems, you may have heard of a book called Pumping Away by Dan Holohan. This book is considered by many as a classic in the field of hydronic heating, and has been praised for its simplicity, clarity, and usefulness. But what is this book really about, and is it worth reading? In this article, we will review Pumping Away by Dan Holohan and tell you everything you need to know about it.
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The main concepts of the book
Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is a book that explains the basics of hydronic heating systems, which are systems that use water or other fluids to transfer heat from a boiler or other source to various parts of a building. Hydronic heating systems are popular because they are efficient, comfortable, and versatile. However, they can also be complex, confusing, and prone to problems if not designed, installed, or maintained properly.
The book covers three main topics that are essential for understanding and working with hydronic heating systems:
How to design a hydronic system
The book teaches you how to design a hydronic system that works well and meets the needs of your building. It covers topics such as:
How to size and select pumps, pipes, valves, fittings, radiators, and other components
How to balance the flow and pressure in the system
How to choose the best location for the pump and the expansion tank
How to avoid air and noise problems in the system
How to use primary-secondary piping, zone valves, circulators, and other methods to control the system
How to troubleshoot common problems
The book shows you how to troubleshoot common problems that may occur in hydronic heating systems, such as:
No heat or insufficient heat in some rooms or zones
Overheating or underheating in some rooms or zones
Noisy pipes or pumps
Leaking pipes or fittings
High or low water pressure in the system
Frozen pipes or components
How to save energy and money
The book gives you tips on how to save energy and money by optimizing your hydronic heating system. It covers topics such as:
How to adjust the temperature and flow settings of your boiler and pump
How to use outdoor reset controls, thermostats, timers, and other devices to regulate the system
How to insulate your pipes and radiators
How to clean and maintain your system regularly
How to upgrade your system with new technologies and features
The benefits of reading the book
There are many benefits of reading Pumping Away by Dan Holohan, such as:
It is easy to read and understand
The book is written in a conversational style, as if the author is talking to you personally. It uses simple language, clear diagrams, and humorous anecdotes to explain the concepts and principles of hydronic heating. It does not assume any prior knowledge or experience in the field, and it avoids technical jargon and complicated formulas. It is suitable for beginners and experts alike, and anyone who wants to learn more about hydronic heating.
It is full of practical tips and examples
The book is not just a theoretical guide, but a practical one. It is full of tips and examples that you can apply to your own system or project. It shows you how to solve real problems that you may encounter in your work or home. It also provides you with tables, charts, and formulas that you can use to calculate and compare different options and scenarios. It is a valuable resource that you can refer to anytime you need help or advice.
It is based on real-world experience and knowledge
The book is not just a product of research, but a product of experience. The author, Dan Holohan, is a renowned expert in the field of hydronic heating, with over 40 years of experience as a contractor, consultant, writer, and teacher. He has seen and done it all, and he shares his wisdom and insights with you in this book. He also draws from the experiences and questions of other professionals and homeowners who have contacted him over the years. He knows what works and what doesn't, and he tells you why.
The drawbacks of the book
While Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is a great book, it is not perfect. There are some drawbacks of reading the book, such as:
It is not very comprehensive or detailed
The book is meant to be an introduction and an overview of hydronic heating systems, not a comprehensive or detailed manual. It covers the most important and common topics, but it does not cover everything. It may not answer some of your specific questions or address some of your unique situations or scenarios. It may also not provide enough depth or detail for some of your needs or preferences. You may need to supplement the book with other sources of information or guidance.
It is not updated with the latest technologies and standards
The book was first published in 1997, and has been reprinted several times since then. However, it has not been revised or updated with the latest technologies and standards in the field of hydronic heating. Some of the information or recommendations in the book may be outdated or obsolete by now. Some of the new technologies or features that are available today may not be mentioned or explained in the book. You may need to do your own research or consult other experts to keep up with the changes and innovations in the field.
It may not cover some specific situations or scenarios
The book is based on the author's experience and knowledge, which may not match yours exactly. The book may not cover some specific situations or scenarios that you may encounter in your work or home. For example, the book may not cover some types of boilers, pumps, pipes, radiators, or other components that you may use or encounter. The book may also not cover some types of buildings, climates, codes, regulations, or other factors that may affect your system or project. You may need to adapt or modify the information or recommendations in the book to suit your own situation or scenario.
Conclusion
Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is a book that explains the basics of hydronic heating systems, which are systems that use water or other fluids to transfer heat from a boiler or other source to various parts of a building. The book covers three main topics: how to design a hydronic system, how to troubleshoot common problems, and how to save energy and money. The book has many benefits: it is easy to read and understand, it is full of practical tips and examples, and it is based on real-world experience and knowledge. The book also has some drawbacks: it is not very comprehensive or detailed, it is not updated with the latest technologies and standards, and it may not cover some specific situations or scenarios.
However, it may not be enough for some of your needs or preferences. You may need to supplement the book with other sources of information or guidance. You may also need to do your own research or consult other experts to keep up with the changes and innovations in the field. You may also need to adapt or modify the information or recommendations in the book to suit your own situation or scenario.
Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is a book that can help you learn, understand, and work with hydronic heating systems. It is a classic in the field, and a must-read for anyone who is interested in hydronic heating. It is not perfect, but it is still valuable and useful. We recommend you to read it and see for yourself.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Pumping Away by Dan Holohan and their answers:
Where can I buy Pumping Away by Dan Holohan?
You can buy Pumping Away by Dan Holohan from various online and offline retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, eBay, and others. You can also buy it directly from the author's website, HeatingHelp.com, where you can also find other books and resources by Dan Holohan.
How much does Pumping Away by Dan Holohan cost?
The price of Pumping Away by Dan Holohan may vary depending on the retailer, edition, format, and condition of the book. As of June 2023, the average price of Pumping Away by Dan Holohan on Amazon is $25.95 for a new paperback edition, and $15.99 for a used paperback edition.
Is Pumping Away by Dan Holohan available in other languages?
As far as we know, Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is only available in English. However, you may be able to find translations or summaries of the book in other languages on some websites or blogs.
Is Pumping Away by Dan Holohan suitable for beginners?
Yes, Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is suitable for beginners who want to learn the basics of hydronic heating systems. The book does not assume any prior knowledge or experience in the field, and it uses simple language and clear diagrams to explain the concepts and principles of hydronic heating. It is also suitable for experts who want to refresh their knowledge or learn new tips and tricks.
Is Pumping Away by Dan Holohan relevant for today's hydronic heating systems?
Yes and no. Pumping Away by Dan Holohan is relevant for today's hydronic heating systems in terms of the fundamentals and the best practices that apply to any hydronic heating system. However, it may not be relevant for today's hydronic heating systems in terms of the latest technologies and standards that have emerged or changed since the book was published. You may need to update yourself with the current trends and developments in the field.
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