The demand for sustainability is growing, and the energy-intensive HVAC industry can’t ignore it. Contractors that install and maintain more efficient heating and cooling stand to gain a lot as customers become more eco-conscious. Hydronic heating systems are one of the best ways to meet that demand.
Hydronic heating is far from the only energy-efficient HVAC technology, and it often takes a back seat to other systems like heat pumps. However, it offers various benefits deserving of HVAC professionals’ attention.
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What Is a Hydronic Heating System?
Hydronic heating systems — also called radiant heating — use water to heat and cool buildings. A pump moves water past a heat source, then throughout the building, often under the floors or in the walls. Warmth dissipating from the hot water warms the materials and air around the coils.
HVAC contractors are already familiar with this approach to heating, whether they realize it or not. It’s the same concept behind the old radiators that still heat 80% of residential buildings in New York City. These early-20th-century cast-iron systems have since fallen out of popularity and are rare outside major northern cities, but their underlying principle still holds potential.
Modern, higher-tech hydronic heating solutions typically use a buildingwide system of coils instead of centralized radiators. New pumping technologies and water-heating options make them far more efficient and reliable than their older counterparts.
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How Efficient Are New Hydronic Heating Systems?
Businesses making energy-efficient upgrades enjoy 15% higher revenues and may be able to capitalize on government grant programs. This market becomes more valuable as sustainability is highlighted, so HVAC businesses must embrace efficiency. Hydronic heating is an ideal way to do so.
Hydronic Heating vs. Forced Air
Forced air systems are the most common heating solutions for American homes. They were the primary heat source in 59% of new constructions in 2020 and 71% in 2000. However, these systems are relatively inefficient, especially compared to hydronic alternatives.
Air is a relatively poor conductor of heat, so it takes considerable energy to warm a larger space with forced air. This quick dissipation also means the area next to a vent will be far warmer than the rest of the room, making it difficult to achieve even temperatures. Hydronic systems rely on water, which is a better heat conductor, and dispersed ducts, making them more efficient.
Hydronic systems’ efficiency means occupants can expect to pay 25% less on HVAC-related energy bills. Because these systems cover virtually the entire area of a floor or wall, they also provide more consistent temperatures.
Hydronic Heating vs. Other Radiant Systems
Forced air may be the most popular heating solution, but electric radiant systems have been gaining steam, too. These include heat pumps and electric radiant heating, which are similar to hydronic solutions but have some key differences.
Electric radiant heating distributes heat through a system of below-floor or in-the-wall wires or tubes, similar to how hydronic alternatives circulate water. As a result, they offer more consistent heating than forced air. However, because they rely on heat directly from electric currents, they use more energy than hydronic systems.
Heat pumps also offer radiant heat but provide it through refrigerants instead of water. These refrigerants may distribute heat more efficiently than the water in hydronic systems but can pose significant health risks if there’s a leak. Consequently, in some situations, hydronic heating may be the more eco-friendly solution.
New Hydronic Heating vs. Older Hydronic Systems
Older buildings, especially in the Northeast, may already have hydronic heat in the form of steam radiators. Even though these systems operate on the same principle, newer solutions are more energy-efficient.
Traditional radiators’ reliance on small, consolidated units makes them inefficient. Radiators are relatively small and must transfer heat through the air, creating inconsistent temperature levels. Heating an entire room means the radiator must get considerably hotter than the desired temperature, leading to significant energy waste.
This inconsistency typically leads to overcorrection, wasting energy and creating maintenance issues. Newer systems with small boilers, precise temperature sensors and dispersed infrastructure offer more even eating and fewer errors. As a result, buildings have reduced their heating-related fuel spending by as much as 50% by switching from conventional steam radiators to newer hydronic systems.
Other Advantages of Hydronic Heating
These comparisons highlight that hydronic heating systems are more energy-efficient than many alternatives. Hydronics’ benefits go far beyond efficiency, too.
Because hydronic systems are relatively compact and simple, they’re easier to install than duct-based heating. That makes them the ideal choice for retrofitting into older buildings, as homes built before 1950 predate AC and often lack the necessary ductwork for forced air.
Hydronic systems are also quieter than forced air and conventional radiators. Water moving through pipes doesn’t produce as much sound as air blowing through open vents at high speeds. Most hydronic infrastructure also rests below floorboards, further insulating the noise, which customers will find more convenient.
Fewer moving parts mean hydronic heating systems are less prone to maintenance issues than forced air. They also reduce the risk of airborne contaminants and offer consistent temperatures while enabling zone-based heating. All these factors improve occupant comfort and spending, so HVAC professionals that install this equipment have many advantages to market to customers.
Downsides of Hydronic Heating
Hydronic heating systems have some disadvantages, too. HVAC companies should familiarize themselves with these downsides to offer customers enough information to make the best decisions for their needs.
The water in a hydronic system can take time to heat up and travel throughout a building. Consequently, even though these solutions provide more efficient, consistent heating, they may be slower in reaching optimum temperatures. That may lead occupants to overcorrect the system, then have to turn it down, creating energy waste.
Hydronic systems also carry high upfront costs. Heating and cooling are already some of the highest energy expenses in any home, so that may make them unattractive to some homeowners. Similarly, repairing these systems can be expensive and disruptive, but their minimal maintenance needs make up for that.
Making the Most of Hydronic Heating Systems
HVAC businesses and their customers can account for these downsides and maximize hydronics’ benefits in a few different ways. Most importantly, they should recognize that not every home is ideal for hydronic heating.
The U.S. has some of the hottest and coldest areas globally, but hydronic systems are best suited for moderate climates. Areas with extreme winters may slow these solutions down too much or introduce freezing risks, making them less convenient.
Contractors should also consider a building’s flooring material when installing hydronic systems. Opt for conducive rather than insulating floors to ensure under-floor pipes can heat the room above more efficiently.
Multizone hydronic heating systems may also be a better investment than simpler, centralized ones. Multiple separate zones enable more efficient spot heating for improved performance and reduced energy consumption, especially if occupants spend most of their time in just a few rooms.
Consider Hydronic Heating Systems
Hydronic heating systems may not be as popular as forced air or heat pumps, but they have many advantages. HVAC companies seeking to capitalize on an efficiency-minded market should look further into these options.
Learning to install and maintain hydronic systems can help businesses meet the changing demands of today’s eco-conscious consumers. It ensures future success and expands the services companies can offer to diverse consumer bases.
