As winter sets in, homeowners begin to think more and more about their heating needs and how they can be met for less money, and less energy.
Hydronic heating systems are becoming a more commonplace option for Australians looking to improve the efficiencies of their home heating needs. Let’s take a look at a few key differences which make hydronic the better choice over traditional heating systems.
What is Hydronic Heating?
Hydronic heating is a heating system that uses hot water rather than hot air to efficiently heat homes. A boiler or air-to-water heat pump heats water that is then circulated through piping. The heat from the water radiates out from the pipes or radiators to warm the home.
Once the water has moved through the circuit and cooled, it returns to the boiler to be reheated in a closed-loop system, providing maximum energy efficiency.
A flexible heating option, hydronic systems can be tailored to your needs and the design of your home. They can be installed as underfloor heating, underfloor trench heating, or as hydronic heating panels.
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How does Hydronic Heating Offer Better Efficiency?
Hydronic heating systems provide great efficiency benefits in a number of ways.
By using a superior conductor in water, rather than air, hydronic heating systems are able to maintain a consistent temperature with greater efficiency than traditional heating solutions.
Hydronic heating systems give room-by-room control, directing heat only to the rooms being used rather than wasting heat throughout the whole home. This system also enables thermostatic control, so when the desired temperature is reached, the heating turns off, only to restart when the temperature drops.
Hydronic heating utilizes more efficient condensing boilers, which extract heat that would typically be lost from the carbon dioxide and water vapor produced by traditional gas-fueled boilers as they burn natural gas. This means less heat is lost, and the collected heat is then used to pre-heat the water before it returns to the boiler.
By using a reverse cycle air-to-water heat pump, hydronic systems can also be used for cooling as well as heating, eliminating the need for a separate air conditioning system. This saves money and space in your home.
As well as providing significant improvements in efficiency over traditional heating solutions, there are plenty of additional benefits to having hydronic heating in your home.
Cost Effective
Heating systems can be costly to run on a regular basis, especially when it comes to heating a larger space. Fortunately, hydronic heating is not only more energy-efficient, but it’s also a more cost-effective way to heat your home.
Hydronic systems effectively heat rooms at lower thermostat settings and lose less heat through windows and doors than conventional heating systems.
With more control over the set temperature in each room, thanks to the room-by-room control hydronic heating provide, this type of heating system allows energy usage to be reduced and significant cost savings to be made. So, as well as ensuring you are able to maintain a comfortable heat at all times, less heat and energy is wasted.
These advantages lead to hydronic heating units being able to reduce heating bills by up to 35 percent when compared with gas ducted or centralized heating systems.
Hydronic heating systems also provide long-term cost savings, as they are low maintenance and require fewer part replacements than traditional systems.
Environmentally Friendly
Hydronic heating systems are an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional forced-air heating and air conditioners. They have a low impact on the environment by using less fuel, allowing homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint.
Hydronic heating panels can even work alongside solar energy as their power source, by being integrated with solar PV panels. This means your heating system can be run on renewable energy.
Healthier Home
Hydronic heating systems provide a healthier option for the home, especially for those who suffer from dust allergies or asthma.
As this system does not rely on a fan blowing out heat, there is no risk of dust mites, allergens, or bacteria being circulated around your home while it’s being heated.
Less Disruption to your Home
Many of the more conventional heating and cooling systems are not aesthetically appealing, and those using a fan often produce a small level of noise.
Hydronic heating panels can be customized to suit the style of your home, so they match the decor and blend seamlessly with your home.
Hydronic heating is also virtually silent, and because it does not involve hot air being circulated will not dry out the air in your home in winter.
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A Heating Solution Providing Maximum Efficiency
Hydronic systems have been used in European homes for many years, and are becoming an increasingly popular option in Australian homes.
With numerous advantages, there’s no denying hydronic heating and cooling systems are a highly efficient option for both homes, and commercial spaces.
If you’re still not quite sure how this type of heating and cooling system could work in your home, just reach out to professional hydronic heating suppliers and installers. These experts can assess your home and let you know the best way to integrate a hydronic heating and cooling system, so you can start reaping the benefits of this highly efficient solution straight away.
