Advantages of Hydronic Heating Over Ducted Heating

Sep 15, 2021

When it comes to providing centralised heating to living spaces, homeowners can choose from an overwhelming number of options which include hydronic heating and ducted heating. The latter is a commonly used heating system that provides warmth to an entire house. It’s composed of a central heating unit that generates hot air. The hot air is then pushed through a series of ducts in the ceilings or under the floor. This system delivers heat to various parts of the house through vents.


Hydronic heating, on the other hand, relies on boilers to heat water. The heater water then runs through a network of pipes and radiators throughout the house to provide centralised heating to different rooms. This system can be powered using electricity, natural gas, or solid fuel.


Although both systems are capable of keeping your home warm and comfortable, there are various reasons why more and more people are beginning to rely on hydronic heating. Currently, it’s one of the most efficient heating systems that you can use for your house.


Below are some of the benefits of using hydronic heating.


Cost-Effective Solution

Hydronic heating is regarded as a cost-effective centralised heating solution. It has been estimated that it costs about 20% less to operate than a gas ducted heating system. The cost-efficiency of a hydronic heating system can be attributed to its overall design because it uses a series of insulated pipes, which helps in minimising heat loss.


Also, hydronic heating utilizes a system that’s completely sealed. This design helps in minimizing heat loss. In addition, as the heated water goes through the entire system, it will eventually return to the boiler. Since the water returning to this component is still hot, it will require less energy to reheat. 


Cleaner System

Hydronic heating works by running hot water through pipes installed in the walls or underneath the floor of a home. Warmth is then radiated through these coils in the floor and radiators in different parts of the house.


Unlike ducted systems, hydronic heating doesn’t push hot air out through vents, which can contribute to the spread of pollutants like dust, spores, viruses, bacteria and various allergens inside a home. This is one of the main reasons why health industry professionals and consultants prefer to use hydronic heating systems.


Safe Usage

Hydronic heating is one of the safest systems available today simply because the temperatures reached by the radiator and floor coils are moderate, which means there’s no risk of burning if you or a member of your family touches the radiator.


More importantly, the mechanism of a hydronic heating system is completely sealed off and has no exposed flames or electrical connections. 


Since it doesn’t push air out and contribute to the accumulation of dust, it’s less of a fire hazard compared to ducted heating.


Comfortable Heating

Since ducted heating spreads warmth by pushing air out, it tends to create cold spots in certain areas of the house due to uneven heat distribution. 


Through its network of pipes in the walls or under the floor, hydronic heating can provide a radiant source of heat without creating hot or cold spots. Instead, it provides you with a comfortably even level of warmth wherever you are in the house.


With additional radiators, you can also heat up different rooms in your home using hydronic heating. Also, since this system uses heated water and doesn’t push hot air out, it doesn’t generate dry air in your home.


Environmentally-Friendly Alternative

If you’re looking to significantly reduce your home’s carbon footprint, then hydronic heating is the best choice for you. This system can be a very environmentally clean option, especially if you decide to use natural gas or wood as your primary fuel source.


According to the Residential Baseline Study conducted in 2016, heating accounts for a huge percentage of a home’s energy consumption. Since hydronic heating is known to be cost and energy-efficient, using this system will allow you to save money on your energy bill while reducing your home’s greenhouse gas emissions. 

Sophel hydronic boiler
10 May, 2023
Looking to stay warm during the colder months? Discover the top 3 ways to heat your home effectively and efficiently.
WISELIVING Hydronic Heat Pumps vs. Competitors
12 Jan, 2023
In finding the best hydronic heat pumps for your home , there are now several options to choose from. While all of them are designed to be energy efficient and to supply heating, cooling, and hot water to your home, they are not at all created equally. In this post, we have put together a comparison table between WISELIVING hydronic heat pumps and the competition, looking at the factors that make the best heating or cooling system units. Heat pumps factors to consider Output Capacity: This is the ability of the heating or cooling system to heat or cool a specific space, expressed in kilowatts (kW). With a bigger space, one would need a higher output capacity. In choosing the hydronic heat pump that best suits your home, factors to consider include heat loss, property age, and types of room. Typically, a 100-square-metre house needs 8kW for in-slab or 12kW for radiator heating. As the space of the house increases, so does the required output capacity. Physical Unit Weight: The physical size of the unit can be in height, width, depth, and weight. Along with the output capacity, choosing the correct size of the heat pump will help in keeping your home efficient and sustainable. Energy Efficiency Ratings: The higher the Energy Rating is, the more energy efficient the appliance is. This means utilising a lesser amount of energy to perform the same functions compared with other brands or units, with similar size and capacity. With heat pumps that have a higher Energy Efficiency rating, you are not only reducing your carbon footprint but doing it for less as well. Average Running Decibels: This measures the sound power level of the unit. The lower the decibel is, the less noise the unit produces. The average sound rating of modern outdoor heat pump units is around 60 decibels, which is comparable to a normal conversation between people. On the other hand, WISELIVING’s heat pump has a noise output of only around 47 decibels. Refrigerant: The medium used by heat pumps to absorb, transport, and release heat from the heat source to the heat sink out to your home’s interior and exterior. WISELIVING’s Hydronic Heat Pump uses R32 refrigerant, while the High Temperature Heat Pump uses R290. Both substances are environmentally friendly and have significantly lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) ratings compared to other refrigerants. Manufacturer’s Warranty: A quality guarantee from the manufacturer within a specific duration, which ensures support in case there is something wrong with the unit. R32 Hydronic Heat Pump WISELIVING’s R32 hydronic heat pump uses the combined technology of a DC Inverter, EVI, and the R32 refrigerant, which is one of the most environmentally friendly refrigerants available today. The R32 hydronic heat pump comes in a premium matte black ABS material case that is UV and corrosion-resistant, ideal for the constantly changing weather of Australia.
high temp heat pump
27 Nov, 2022
At what outside temperature can a heat pump still function? This is a common question among households, as we continuously experience extreme-level temperatures.
sustainable system ideal for house rebuild project
17 Nov, 2022
Find out how a Victorian couple haven’t used any electricity from the grid to provide heating, cooking or hot water since moving in!
air to air vs air to water heatpumps
17 Nov, 2022
People often use the terms heat pumps and hydronic heat pumps interchangeably. But are they really the same? And what is more suited for you? Use this post as a quick guide to get a better understanding of these two heating systems!
living off-grid with wiseliving products
30 Oct, 2022
Learn more on how to live a low-impact, high value way of life. If you would like to know more about sustainable living, check out the information on this blog on how to live off-grid and reduce your home’s energy consumption.
Live Sustainably With A Solar PV System And These WISELIVING Products
31 Aug, 2022
Choose the solar-based off-grid lifestyle and see what Wiseliving products you can use in your home.
Pairing A Hot Water Pump With A Solar PV System
24 Aug, 2022
Reduce energy costs and optimise your savings with your daily hot water consumption by pairing a hot water pump with a solar PV system. Learn more.
Why You Need To Install A Solar Hot Water System In Your Home
19 Aug, 2022
Learn how to lower your residential energy consumption and take advantage of a solar hot water system in your home. See the benefits and read more.
Wiseliving High Temperature Heat Pump
19 May, 2022
Wiseliving High Temperature Heat Pump is made perfect to withstand Australia's harsh weather conditions. Reap its benefits by getting to know it better.
Show More
Share by: