Hydronic heating system and method for pest control

Abstract

A method for killing pests including bed bugs in an affected area comprises heating a fluid to a first temperature and supplying the fluid to each of a plurality of heat exchanger units. The method continues by positioning each of the plurality of heat exchanger units within an associated region of an affected area, each heat exchanger unit being operable to emit heated air by transferring heat from the fluid to ambient air within the affected area. The method concludes by positioning a plurality of air movers proximate to each of the plurality of heat exchanger units, the plurality of air movers being operable to circulate heated air emitted by the plurality of heat exchanger units and inhibit stratification of the heated air. In operation, a temperature difference between the fluid received by the plurality of heat exchanger units and the ambient air within the affected area results in the affected area being raised to a target temperature greater than 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for killing pests including bed bugs in an affected area, comprising:
 heating a water-glycol fluid mixture to a temperature greater than 170 degrees Fahrenheit;   receiving the heated water-glycol fluid mixture as a single supply fluid stream;   splitting the single supply fluid stream into a plurality of supply fluid streams;   receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of supply fluid streams at a corresponding one of a plurality of heat exchanger units, and emitting heated air from each heat exchanger unit by transferring heat from the water-glycol fluid mixture to ambient air within the affected area;   circulating the heated air to inhibit stratification of the heated air;   receiving the water-glycol fluid mixture as a plurality of return fluid streams from the plurality of heat exchanger units; and   merging the plurality of return fluid streams into a single return fluid stream;   wherein a temperature difference between the fluid received by the plurality of heat exchanger units and the ambient air within the affected area results in the affected area being raised to a target temperature greater than 122 degrees Fahrenheit   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of heat exchanger units comprises one heat exchanger unit for every 300 square feet within the affected area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of heat exchanger units comprises at least two heat exchanger units for every 300 square feet within the affected area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein circulating the heated air comprises circulating the heated air when the temperature of the ambient air within the affected area is equal to or below a target temperature, the method further comprising ceasing circulation of the heated air when the temperature of ambient air within the affected area is above the target temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein circulating the heated air comprises circulating the heated air toward the floor of the affected area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising separating a plurality of contaminated items within the affected area to facilitate heating each item to the target temperature. 
     
     
         7 . A method for killing pests including bed bugs in an affected area, comprising:
 heating a fluid to a first temperature;   supplying the fluid to each of a plurality of heat exchanger units;   positioning each of the plurality of heat exchanger units within an associated region of an affected area, each heat exchanger unit being operable to emit heated air by transferring heat from the fluid to ambient air within the affected area; and   positioning a plurality of air movers proximate to each of the plurality of heat exchanger units, the plurality of air movers being operable to circulate heated air emitted by the plurality of heat exchanger units and inhibit stratification of the heated air,   wherein a temperature difference between the fluid received by the plurality of heat exchanger units and the ambient air within the affected area results in the affected area being raised to a target temperature greater than 122 degrees Fahrenheit.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the fluid comprises water-glycol mixture; and   the first temperature is greater than 170 degrees Fahrenheit.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising positioning a supply manifold between a burner and the plurality of heat exchanger units, the supply manifold comprising:
 a first input port configured to receive the fluid via a supply line from the burner; and   a plurality of output ports, each output port being coupled to a selected one of a first plurality of hoses each associated with a respective one of the plurality of heat exchanger units, the plurality of output ports supplying the fluid to each of the plurality of heat exchanger units.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising positioning a return manifold between the burner and the plurality of heat exchanger units, the return manifold comprising:
 a plurality of input ports, each input port being coupled to a selected one of a second plurality of hoses each associated with a respective one of the plurality of heat exchanger units, the plurality of input ports receiving the fluid from each of the plurality of heat exchanger units; and   an output port configured to return the fluid received from the plurality of heat exchanger units to the burner for recirculation, the fluid returned to the burner via a return line.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein positioning each of the plurality of heat exchanger units within an associated region of an affected area comprises positioning at least six heat exchanger units within at least six associated regions, each associated region comprising approximately 300 square feet within the affected area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a ratio of the air movers to the heat exchanger units is at least one to one. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of heat exchanger units comprises a thermostat configured to cause an associated heat exchanger unit to:
 circulate the heated air when the temperature of the ambient air within the affected area is equal to or below the target temperature; and   cease circulation of the heated air when the temperature of ambient air within the affected area is above the target temperature.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of air movers are configured to circulate the heated air emitted by the plurality of heat exchanger units toward the floor of the affected area. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising coiling a portion of at least one of the first plurality of hoses to form a pile of coiled hose such that radiant heat from the portion of the at least one of the first plurality of hoses may be transferred to a hard to heat item within the affected area. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising separating a plurality of contaminated items within the affected area to facilitate heating each contaminated item to the target temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising individually handling and exposing a contaminated item to the heated air within the affected area to facilitate heating the contaminated item to the target temperature.