All Your Hydronic Slab Heating Questions Answered!

Hot water heating has been around in some form or another since at least the 14^th century, with records existing of a monastery in Greenland using hot spring water to heat their buildings. In the centuries since, hydronic slab heating has been embraced in cold climates such as Scandinavia and Japan. The technology is only now gathering steam in Australia, finally being recognized as a clever alternative to space and ducted heating. However, if you’re considering building with or retrofitting hydronic slab heating, you might have a host of questions about this up-and-coming technology. Keep reading to have all your hydronic slab heating questions answered, and feel confident that you’re making the right investment in your home!

• What even is hydronic heating?

A hydronic heating system pumps water throughout your home for consistent, quiet heating. This system will usually involve an on-site boiler installed on the premises, which is usually powered by LPG or natural gas. Once heated, the water is distributed through pipes into slabs or radiators to warm the building.

• How much does it cost?

Hydronic heating is a bigger upfront investment, generally costing 2-3 times the amount of a ducted system to install. However, over time, a hydronic heating system will cost around 2/3^rd of what a ducted heating system costs to run, saving you money in the long run.

• Will it aggravate my allergies?

Hydronic heating is one of the best options for allergy or asthma sufferers, as it provides radiant heating instead of hot air. This means particles of dust, animal fur, and other allergens won’t be recycled through your air, allowing for easy breathing and cozy warmth.

• How well will it heat my home compared to other forms of heating?

Hydronic heating provides an all-encompassing coziness, as opposed to fireplaces or space heaters that require you to be right next to it to feel its effects. By consistently heating your entire home at the same temperature, you can enjoy radiating warmth no matter where you are in the home. At the same time, you will feel completely comfortable walking barefoot throughout your home because of the subtle way hydronic heating is designed to warm your home.

• Is hydronic heating safe?

Hydronic heating is far safer than other options like fireplaces and radiant heaters, as the panels do not heat up to extreme temperatures. If a child or pet makes contact with the panels, they will be completely safe, unlike other forms of heaters which are known to cause burns or easily spark fires if materials come into contact with them.

• Is installation only possible when building a new home, or can I install it in my current home?

It is always best to install hydronic heating when building a new home, if possible, as it allows for all the piping and groundwork to easily be installed before the flooring and house’s structure are laid. If you can’t quite afford the complete installation when building your home, consider only installing the pipework, and getting the boiler and radiator panels installed later. While being a little more complicated, it is also possible to retrofit hydronic slab heating into an existing home.

• What sort of flooring is suitable for hydronic heating?

There is a misconception that hydronic slab heating may only be suitable for certain types of flooring, due to the nature of its positioning. In reality, hydronic slab heating is suitable for various types of flooring, including timber, tiles, suspended floors and concrete.

• Why should I go for hydronic slab heating?

Hydronic slab heating is clean, quiet and draught-free, effectively heating your home to the perfect temperature while not presenting a burn risk to residents. Hydronic heating also does not generate many of the by-products associated with ducted heating, such as circulating dust and allergens throughout the home. Similarly, hydronic heating eliminates many of the problems caused by other forms of heating, such as dry eyes and throats.

Now that you know everything there is to know about hydronic heating, reach out to a reputable heating and cooling company to see if it is suitable for your home and start enjoying the benefits of this clever heating solution!