Older schools were built for durability. Thick masonry walls, large classroom windows, and high-temperature perimeter convectors designed for a different era of energy use.
At École Saint-Cœur-de-Marie, the existing heating system reflected that history. The school has been operating a traditional high-temperature hot water loop with convector layout paired with an aging boiler plant. Functional, yes. Efficient by today’s standards? Not quite.
This renovation was about more than replacing equipment. It was about transforming how the building heats itself.
The original system operated at elevated water temperatures, typical of legacy school construction. While dependable, it limited efficiency and left little room for modern energy optimization strategies.
The new system shifts the building into a new generation of heating performance:
Condensing boiler plant
Low-temperature hydronic design
Improved seasonal efficiency
Reduced energy consumption
Future-ready compatibility with advanced heat sources
By lowering system temperatures and leveraging condensing technology, the school now benefits from higher combustion efficiency and significantly improved operational performance.
One of the key design goals was maintaining the architectural rhythm of the classroom perimeter.
Rather than breaking the line of radiation with short segments, we supplied continuous radiant convectors running wall to wall, complete with:
Dummy sections
Custom end pieces
Seamless transitions
The result is a clean, uninterrupted aesthetic that blends into the building envelope. This allowed the school to preserve the classic school character while delivering modern comfort.
This continuous design also ensures:
Even heat distribution
Reduced cold spots near glazing
Improved occupant comfort
Quiet, draft-free performance
Students and staff feel steady warmth along the perimeter without the temperature swings typical of high-temperature systems.
From the outside, the building remains familiar. Inside, however, the mechanical backbone has been completely modernized.
The shift from high-temperature convectors to a condensing boiler with continuous radiant perimeter heating delivers:
Higher efficiency
Lower operating costs
Improved comfort
A clean architectural finish
A future-ready hydronic platform
This project is a perfect example of how thoughtful terminal design can elevate both performance and appearance without compromising the character of an existing school.
École Saint-Coeur-de-Marie
Ripon, Quebec
School
F-type - Panel Radiators
2026
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST
+1 416 557 0074
sales@siwahvac.com
120 Adelaide St W, Suite 2500, Toronto, Canada