Whether you’re building or doing extensive renovations, you’ll need to consider the type of heating system that you plan to install. If you live in a hot climate, for example, you may not need an overly sophisticated one but if the temperature in your area dips during the winter you’ll definitely need a whole house system that doesn’t cost a fortune to run. In these sorts of situations, a hydronic heating service could be the ideal solution – but how much do they cost to run?
What is hydronic heating?
Essentially, these systems utilise hot water in order to heat the home. They can be installed underneath the floor or as wall-mounted radiators. At the heart of the system is the boiler, which is responsible for heating the water and pumping it around the house. Many people prefer this type of heating because it offers a gentle, even level of warmth from floor to ceiling. It also doesn’t utilise fan forced air, which keeps the home cleaner and provides relief for allergy sufferers.
How much does it cost to run?
The running costs of Melbourne hydronic heating services can be very low compared to other systems. If you have a gas boiler, it recycles the water used to provide heat to the home. Because the water is still warm when it returns to the boiler, less gas is required to reheat it. This can actually help to make the running costs of a gas system about 20% to 30% lower than a conventional ducted gas one. A solar hydronic system will cost even less to run.
Tips for reducing running costs
There are actually several things you can do to reduce the running costs of a hydronic system even further, including:
▪ Opt for a high efficiency system that is specifically designed for the area that you need to heat.
▪ Lower the thermostat by just one degree; this can help you to save up to 10% on running costs.
▪ Opt for a zoned system, which allows you to heat only the areas of the house that you’re currently using.
▪ Have your system serviced annually to maintain its efficiency and ensure that it lasts as long as possible.
A high efficiency system will include things like insulated pipes (to reduce heat loss) and a well-insulated boiler (also to minimise heat loss). The warranty period for a boiler is usually only around 2 years (for parts and labour), as some small components may need replacing within a few years. The boiler may keep working, but you’ll find that the system likely isn’t as efficient. Radiators, coils and pipes should be under warranty for up to 25 years.
If you are trying to choose a heating system for your home and are looking for one that isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg to run, we hope that you will consider a hydronic heating service. As you can see, they are generally far cheaper to run than their ducted counterparts and are covered under warranty for a considerable amount of time, too. This ensures that you won’t have to fork out as much money on repairs and servicing.
Cambro Hydronic Heating provide all type of heating services including hydronic heating, slab heating, electric trench heating and underfloor heating in Melbourne.
Source: Why Hydronic Heating Floors Offers A Superior Alternative