Hydronic Air Heating and Hot Water for Boats

A marine hydronic air heating and hot water system offers an ideal solution for boats where space is limited, combining warmth and unlimited hot water in one integrated system.

Why Hydronic Systems are Perfect for Boats:

These systems are especially beneficial for boats where:

Space is limited: Components can be separated and running coolant pipes takes less space than traditional air heater ducting.
Flexibility on making hot water is needed: Systems can heat from 240V (shore power), diesel furnace, solar or engine.
Hot water is needed: When no shore power, engine or generator is available.
Efficient air heating: is required in different zones.

Key Benefits of Hydronic Systems:

Fast hot water regeneration: Perfect for multiple showers.
Zoned Air Heating: Control air heating in different areas via thermostats and heating units.
Minimises generator use: Eliminates the need for a generator (or idling engine) to produce hot water.
Quiet and efficient: Much quieter and more efficient than generators.
Energy integration: Use engine, 240V, solar/wind, and diesel furnace to heat water.
Additional heating options: Add heated towel rails or radiator panels for silent heating.

Diesel Furnaces: Powering Your System Efficiently

Dieselheat offers premium Eberspacher or Wallas diesel furnaces for marine installations.
For most boats, a 5kW furnace is ideal, while larger boats may require a 12kW furnace.
Furnaces are compact, reliable, and equipped with marine-specific exhausts. Control is available via on/off switches, digital controllers, or Dieselheat hydronic thermostats.

Hot Water Systems for Boats

DH Hydronic Systems:

Coolant tank for instant hot water: Features a 9, 15, or 30L coolant tank to store heat energy, using an inbuilt plate heat exchanger to heat water.
On Demand: Instant hot water once the system is switched on and pre-heated (must be on to deliver hot water).
Compact and lightweight: Ideal for smaller boats and commercial use.
Runs on diesel only: Simple to install and maintain.
Compatible with air heating: Single or multiple zone air heating.

Learn more about the DH Hydronic Systems here.

Marine Calorifier Systems:

Store pre-heated water: Using 22L or 40L Surecal copper marine tanks.
Can heat water from various sources: Diesel furnace, 240V, 12V (optional), and the engine.
Ideal for medium to larger boats: Custom-designed systems suited for complex installations.
Compatible with air heating systems: Single or multiple zone air heating.

Discover more about our DH E-Solar Systems here.

Solar Electric Hot Water

Hydronic Air Heating: Quiet and Efficient Comfort

Hydronic air heating offers quiet, soft warmth, with temperature control through zoned air heating heads. Dieselheat has developed a specialised thermostat for marine and RV hydronic systems, featuring:
Backlit display: Illuminated buttons for easy night time use.
Fan speed control: Manages Dieselheat or Kalori air heating fan speeds.
Automatic temperature control: Ensures comfortable temperatures with minimal effort.
Coolant valve control: Shuts down coolant circulation when air heating not used (minimising unwanted heat)

A variety of Kalori fan heads and Dieselheat’s own ducted fan heads are available, ranging from 900W to 3.6kW, each suited for different areas of the boat.

Explore our full range of fan heads here and learn how to choose the right one for your boat here.

Hydronic Air Heating and Hot Water System Designs

Every hydronic system is unique, designed according to the specific layout of the boat, including the location of the furnace, hot water tank, header tank, and heating zones. Dieselheat provides expert guidance to design a system that meets your boat’s needs.

Key Design Considerations:
● Correct number of coolant loops.
● Adequate pump power for coolant circulation.
● Always-on circuits to ensure uninterrupted furnace operation.
● Proper header tank for thermal expansion and fill points.
● Coolant loop balancing valves.
● Automatic shutdown valves for efficient heat management.

High-Quality Parts and Accessories

Dieselheat systems use top-grade marine components:

316 marine-grade parts: Hose tails, tees, nipples, and more.
PEX insulated hydronic pipes: Custom fittings and insulated pipes.
316 header tanks: Custom-made for durability.
High-quality booster pumps: Ensures efficient system performance.

Installation of Hydronic Systems

Installing a hydronic system can be done by shipwrights or boat owners with basic skills in diesel heaters or hot water systems. It requires:

12V wiring: Meeting marine standards.
Diesel fuel connections: Proper setup for safety.
Component mounting: Drilling for pipes, ducts, and exhausts.
Exhaust fitting: Proper hull penetration for exhaust systems.

Though time-consuming, installation typically takes 1-2 days for smaller systems and up to a week for larger ones. Once installed, these systems are highly durable and become a permanent feature of the boat.

Dieselheat provides technical support and guidance via phone and video calls on any aspects of system installation.


Budget Considerations

Each system is custom-designed and quoted based on boat size and requirements:

Smaller boats (30-40 feet): Systems start around $5,000 + 1-3 days install.
Medium boats (40-60 feet): Systems range from $5,000 to $8,000 + 2 – 5 days install.
Larger boats (60-80 feet): Systems with a 12kW furnace and 3-5 air heads exceed $10,000 and can be up to a week to install.

Still unsure? We’re passionate about providing the best diesel solutions and would love to chat about which system would work best for you! Contact us for a chat about your next marine hydronic project.

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