What is Hydronic Heating?

At Lone Star Plumbing and Heating we are hydronic heating experts when it comes to both installing and repairing these systems. Although we are experts we understand that the majority of Calgarians do not even know what hydronic heating is. We want to help homeowners better understand that there is an alternative to forced air when it comes to heating your home, and hydronic heating is a fantastic option.

So let’s start by answering the question what is hydronic heating? Put simply hydronic heating is a home heating system that uses tubing to run a hot liquid beneath the floor, along baseboard heaters or through radiators. Hydronic heating is often referred to as radiant heating and it is becoming more popular among families that want added comfort and control in their heating zones, save more money on their monthly heating bills and decrease their environmental impact.

Traditionally hydronic heating has been installed in homes via radiators or baseboard heaters, however now it is more commonly installed as a radiant flooring system. The hot water or alternative heated liquid of the hydronic heating system is circulated throughout the home through loops of plastic tubing. These tubes are installed within the concrete slab or throughout the floor joist system in the home. An energy efficient boiler heats the liquid for the hydronic heating system before pumping it into the tubing.

The Advantages of a Hydronic Heating System

Superior Comfort & Temperature Control

One major advantage of hydronic heating is the superior comfort and temperature control it offers. With hydronic heating systems the entire floor radiates heat up from the ground in a more even and consistent manner. Unlike forced air systems that blow warm air through a duct system leaving cold spots due to poor circulation and temperature spikes and dips as it turns on and off, hydronic systems produce a steady heat that radiates from the floor throughout the entire room.

Since hydronic heating systems allow you to create different zones for each room it is installed in, it allows you to control the temperature for each individual zone as opposed to the whole house. With forced air systems it is common to have one thermostat that controls the temperature for the whole home. With a hydronic system you can set different temperatures for each zone in your home. This allows for much greater control of the temperature in your house.

High Efficiency

A hydronic heating system consumes much less energy opposed to other home heating options such as a forced air system. Hydronic heating is more efficient than air heating for a number of different reasons. For starters water is a better conductor of heat than air is. This means the water used in a hydronic heating system takes much less energy to heat than the air in a forced air system. Another reason hydronic systems are more efficient is that forced air systems create pressure which pushes heat out through gaps in insulation. If your home has poor insulation it will suffer from heat loss. Hydronic heating systems do not raise the air pressure in your home, so the warmer air is more evenly distributed throughout your home.

A higher efficiency heating system in your home means two things. One is if you are using less energy you will save money on your heating bills. In fact hydronic heating systems have been shown to produce comfortable home heating at a 20 – 40% lower cost than traditional heating systems. The other important factor of a high efficiency heating system is a smaller environmental impact. Going green and having a smaller environmental impact is becoming more and more important. A hydronic heating system can help you do your part to protect the environment.

Positive Health Impacts

Many families are worried about the dust and allergens that can fill their home. They can make it hard to breathe at times, especially for those with strong allergies or asthma. Forced air heating systems push air around the home, which can stir up the allergens and dust and carry it throughout your home. This is why filters are a major part of a forced air heating systems. Hydronic heating systems avoid this issue entirely as it does not require any movement of air. As a result it provides a healthier environment for your family.

Let our Experts Help

Whether you are building a new home and want a hydronic system installed, or looking to upgrade your existing heating system the experts at Lone Star Plumbing and Heating can help. Depending on your home there are different installation strategies and costs, for the most accurate installation costs and timeline talk to one of our experts. If you have any questions or need information about hydronic heating please give us a call.