Is Hydronic Heating Expensive?

When it comes to heating your home, there are now a huge range of options available. From fan-driven wall heaters through to heat pump-powered hydronic heating/cooling systems and more, the journey you choose to take with your heating can now be as multifaceted (or as simple) as you like.

Thinking of revamping your heating system, now that the cooler months have arrived? You wouldn’t be alone. And, in fact, it’s completely natural to feel some confusion as you peruse the wide range of options in front of you. With over 15 years of expertise in HVAC and solar, your friendly G Store team is here to help you make the call.

In this article, we’ll take a deep-dive into one of the most beautifully efficient, safe and reliable heating options available – hydronic heating – exploring:

• What hydronic heating is

• How it compares to other systems

• General information on pricing, plus

• The question of upfront cost vs. long-term savings

The aim? To help you feel reliably informed so you can secure the very-best solution for your specific interests and needs.

Ready? Let’s get stuck into it.

What is hydronic heating?

Hydronic heating systems work by circulating hot water through pipes installed in your home’s floors or walls. The heated water warms up the surfaces it comes into contact with, providing a comfortable and efficient way of heating your home. Thus, hydronic systems offer a vastly different “style” of heat than other systems – being a wonderfully comfortable “radiant” heat, it is easy on the skin and lungs and feels wonderful in a living space.

One of the other key benefits of hydronic heating is that the system can run off a variety of energy sources, including natural gas, LPG, electricity, and even solar power – the latter of which is obviously what we recommend! This versatility can make hydronic heating a more cost-effective option for many homeowners. When paired with a heat pump and solar PV system with battery storage, hydronic heating can begin saving (and evening making) you money in the long-term.

More on this below.

Is hydronic heating expensive?

When it comes to the upfront cost of installing a hydronic heating system, it is true that it can be more expensive than some other heating options. According to Home Improvement Pages, the average cost of a hydronic heating system installation in Australia can range from $6,000 to $11,000 depending on the size of your home and the complexity of the system. On the surface, this could be seen as significantly “more expensive” than the average cost of installing a gas heater, which can range from $1,000 to $5,000. Similarly, the average cost of installing an electric heater is typically between $500 and $2,500, which is also lower than the cost of a hydronic heating system.

However, it is important to consider the long-term savings that hydronic heating can provide.

Hydronic heating systems are known for their efficiency, and according to the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria, they can be up to 20% more efficient than traditional heating systems. This increased efficiency means that you will use less energy to heat your home, resulting in lower energy bills. In fact, a study by Sustainability Victoria found that hydronic heating systems can save homeowners up to 20% on their heating bills compared to ducted gas heating systems.

Furthermore, hydronic heating systems have a longer lifespan than traditional heating systems, meaning you will not have to replace them as frequently. According to the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating, hydronic heating systems can last up to 25 years, while traditional heating systems typically only last between 10 and 15 years. This extended lifespan can lead to significant long-term savings, as you will not have to spend money on replacing your heating system as often.

Another factor to consider when deciding if hydronic heating is expensive is the overall value it can add to your home. According to Domain, installing a hydronic heating system can increase the value of your home by up to 10%, making it a worthwhile investment for homeowners looking to add value to their property.

When considering the cost of hydronic heating, it is also important to think about the environmental impact of your heating system. Hydronic heating is a highly efficient and environmentally friendly way of heating your home, as it produces less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional heating systems.

Therefore, whether or not hydronic heating is expensive depends on your individual circumstances and what you consider to be a worthwhile investment. While the upfront cost of installing a hydronic heating system may be higher than some other heating options, the long-term savings, increased efficiency, extended lifespan, and added value to your home can make it a cost-effective choice. What’s more, the environmental benefits of hydronic heating should not be overlooked, as it can be a highly sustainable and eco-friendly way of heating your home. So, if you are considering installing a new heating system in your home, hydronic heating may be an option worth exploring further.

Which heating option is the cheapest, and which is the most expensive?

We’re going to preface this section with a simple statement.

When investing in new technology for your home, it helps to keep in mind the difference between upfront cost and long-term savings.

What do we mean by this? Well, when it comes to the upfront cost of installing a hydronic heating system, it is certainly true that it can be more expensive than some other heating options – as we’ve already explained.

But what is “cost”?

When purchasing new HVAC technology, we encourage you to consider not only the upfront cost, but also the longevity of the system, the quality of the technology, the relationship of that technology to electricity/gas bills, and also the maintenance costs of your chosen system.

What’s more, a higher upfront cost may well be worth it if, as in the case with a heat-pump facilitated hydronic system, you can also use it for heating

and

cooling throughout the year.

We take care to remind our valued customers that upfront “cost” is only one element of your decision. If you choose a “cheaper” option in the beginning, have you factored in the likely shorter lifespan of that product, higher average energy bills, larger maintenance/replacement costs, and the chance of poor-quality installations?

Therefore, it becomes incredibly important to consider the long-term savings that hydronic heating can provide.

Is hydronic heating efficient, then?

Oh, yes. It sure is.

As we’ve mentioned, hydronic heating systems are widely known for their supreme energy-efficiency, and according to the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria, they can be up to 20% more efficient than traditional heating systems. This increased efficiency means that you will use less energy to heat your home, resulting in lower energy bills. In fact, a study by Sustainability Victoria found that hydronic heating systems can save homeowners up to 20% on their heating bills compared to ducted gas heating systems – and that’s without the addition of solar and battery storage, which can save you (and even make you) even more money!

So – remember that point about upfront cost vs. long-term savings?

Put simply, the question of whether or not hydronic heating is “expensive” depends on your individual circumstances and what you consider to be a worthwhile investment.

Wrapping Up

While the upfront cost of installing a hydronic heating system may be higher than some other heating options, the long-term savings, increased efficiency, extended lifespan, and added value to your home can make it a cost-effective choice. Furthermore, the environmental benefits of hydronic heating should not be overlooked, as it can be a highly sustainable and eco-friendly way of heating your home.

So – if you’re considering installing a new heating system in your home, hydronic heating is a great option to explore.

We’d love to talk it through with you! Visit our Learning Centre now to discover more, or give our award-winning team a call today on 1300 137 567.

We can’t wait to speak with you.