How Does Hydronic Heating and Cooling Work?

As gas prices continue to soar and G Store customers become increasingly interested in cost-effective, energy-efficient HVAC solutions, hydronic heating and cooling is taking the stage as a seriously competitive option.

More broadly, hydronic heating and cooling is quickly gaining popularity in Australia due its supreme energy efficiency, increased living comfort, and versatility for use throughout the seasons.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key areas of knowledge involved in understanding how these systems work, including:

• What hydronic heating and cooling is
• How hydronic heating and cooling systems work
• The key benefits of hydronic heating/cooling

With 15+ years of expertise, our award-winning HVAC team is passionate about helping you save precious time, energy and cash, creating a value-added home that serves you now, and into the future.

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What is hydronic heating and cooling?

From a simple standpoint, hydronic heating and cooling systems use water to regulate the temperature of a space. These systems are usually installed under floors or in walls, and use a network of pipes to circulate water through a building’s structure.

In hydronic heating systems, heat radiates from these pipes, warming the surrounding air and creating a comfortable temperature throughout the space.

Hydronic cooling works on the same principle, but with chilled water instead of hot water. The coolness radiates from the pipes and lowers the temperature of the surrounding air in your home.

According to a significant recent study by Sustainability Victoria, hydronic heating is vastly more efficient than gas heaters and split system air conditioners. The research found that hydronic heating can reduce energy consumption by up to 20% compared to gas heating, and up to 50% compared to electric heating.

Importantly, the study also found that hydronic cooling can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional air conditioning systems, offering a huge saving on your current monthly bills.

How hydronic heating and cooling works

Let’s look at this process in more detail. Simply navigate to section 1 (the hydronic heating process) or section 2 (the hydronic cooling process), depending on your current needs and interests.

1. The hydronic heating process

1. The first step in the hydronic heating process is to heat the water that will be circulated through the pipes. This can be done using a range of heating systems, including gas boilers, electric boilers, and heat pumps.
2. Once the water has been heated, it is circulated through a network of pipes that run through the floors or walls of the building. These pipes are typically made of copper or PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) and are designed to radiate heat into the surrounding air.
3. The heat radiates from the pipes and warms the surrounding air, creating a comfortable temperature throughout the space. This radiant heat is a more efficient and effective way of heating a space than traditional forced-air heating systems, which can create hot spots and uneven temperatures.
4. The temperature of the water in the pipes is regulated by a thermostat, which controls the flow of water through the heating system. The thermostat can be set to a desired temperature, and the system will automatically adjust the flow of water to maintain that temperature.

Note that hydronic heating systems can be installed in a range of spaces – from small rooms to entire buildings. The pipes can be installed in the floors, walls, or even the ceiling, depending on the design of your building, and your preferences when it comes to particular elements of functionality and temperature management.

2. The hydronic cooling process

The hydronic cooling process is similar to the heating process, but with chilled water instead of hot water.

1. The first step is to chill the water that will be circulated through the pipes.
2. Once the water has been chilled, it is circulated through a network of pipes that run through the floors or walls of the building. These pipes are designed to radiate coolness into the surrounding air, creating a comfortable temperature throughout the space.
3. The temperature of the water in the pipes is regulated by a thermostat, which controls the flow of water through the cooling system. The thermostat can be set to a desired temperature, and the system will automatically adjust the flow of water to maintain that temperature.

Like hydronic heating systems, hydronic cooling systems can be installed in a range of spaces, from small rooms to entire buildings.

Can you combine hydronic heating and cooling?

Absolutely!

As you might imagine, hydronic heating and cooling systems can be combined to create a single, integrated system. This is particularly useful in climates like Australia’s where both heating and cooling systems are required throughout the annual cycle of seasons.

This type of system is called a hydronic heat pump – or, a reverse cycle system.

In a hydronic heat pump system, the same network of pipes is used for both heating and cooling. The system can be configured to switch between heating and cooling modes depending on the temperature of the water circulating through the pipes.

The heat pump itself acts as a refrigeration cycle, extracting heat from the air or water in the heating mode and rejecting it to the outdoor environment. In the cooling mode, it extracts heat from the indoor air and rejects it to the outdoor environment, similar to a traditional air conditioning system.

One of the benefits of a hydronic heat pump is that it can be highly energy efficient, as it uses the same network of pipes for both heating and cooling. It can also be a more comfortable and effective way of regulating the temperature of a space, as it provides even, radiant heating and cooling.

In Australia, hydronic heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as a more energy-efficient and comfortable alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems.

Benefits of hydronic heating and cooling

While many of these have already been discussed, we’ve included below a handy reference list for you to cover-off the main benefits of hydronic heating/cooling systems:

• More energy efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems
• Provides even, radiant heating and cooling
• Comfortable and effective way of regulating the temperature of a space
• Can be installed in a range of spaces, from small rooms to entire buildings
• Can be configured to meet the specific needs of the occupants
• Offers quieter operation than traditional HVAC systems
• Improved air quality, as it does not rely on air ducts to transport air
• Can be operated using renewable energy sources, such as solar or geothermal
• Provides consistent temperature control with no hot or cold spots
• Low maintenance requirements and a long lifespan

Wrapping up

Wondering if hydronic heating and cooling is right for you?

Our award-winning HVAC team can offer you an entirely obligation-free consultation to check which systems could be right for your specific budget, needs and requirements.

Just give our friendly team a call today on 1300 137 567, or click through to our Learning Centre to read more about our wide variety of quality, energy-efficient products.

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