Heating choices are a common debate, and this includes hydronic and electric heating. Whether you’re renting a small studio room or have just bought your first home, a consistent temperature is something you’ll be thinking about.
You want to be cosy in winter and feel refreshed during the humid months, but it can be a chore to decide–there are so many heating and cooling options!
If it’s your first time buying a heater or you already have a general idea, this blog will outline the extensive pros and cons of both systems so you can make a decision.
Hydronic heating uses water to heat your home. A boiler heats water, which circulates through a network of pipes that run under the floor.
The heat from this water transforms your home to a comfortable, even temperature, and most hydronic systems in Australia are located in the slab, not directly below the floor finish.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why hydronic heating might work for you!
Water can often be more efficient than central heating compared to air. A hydronic heating system can cost less to run than an electric system of the same size, transferring up to 95% of the heat generated by the boiler to your home.
Designed only to use only necessary energy, hydronic heating energy efficiency can be higher with lower water temperatures. Water is a better conductor of heat than air, hydronic systems are fully sealed, and hydronic systems don’t direct heat through gaps in the wall.
That said, an electric system installed below the substrate is more suited to our Aussie climate than an In-Slab heating system since it has a faster heat-up-and-cool-down time.
Forced air central heating systems push around dust, dirt, and odours already present in your environment. Heaters are prone to dirt with their vents, grilles, louvres, filters, and overall more dust accumulation!
Likewise, how are hydronic heaters quieter than other systems? You can expect no noise from expanding and contracting ductwork, fans spinning at high speeds, or air blown around your rooms. The noise you hear is from the boiler, which is just like using hot water!
Hydronic heating also warms the surface instead of the air itself, so you won’t need to stress about accidental burns. All hydronic products are safe to the touch as the water commonly reaches 65 C, so it’s a good way to heat up your property.
With this in mind, you might not reach the cooling in summer or warmth in winter that you’re looking for. These systems have a limited temperature range, so they’re not suitable for certain climates or weather conditions.
Hydronic heating warms objects in the room–not only the air–so you can feel warm even when the thermostat is set too low.
Do you have large spaces you want to be heated and are located in an area where it is cold for longer periods, such as rural Victoria? Hydronic heating can be a more efficient option.
Keep in mind that in the renovation, if there is an existing slab, you are not going to be able to add a hydronic system. However, it will be possible to install electric heating directly below the substrate whilst adding minimal height build-up.
Why might it not be the best idea to invest in hydronic heating options?
A programmable thermostat can control a hydronic heating system. However, this in-slab system doesn’t allow much control over temperature compared to air-based central heating systems, such as ducted reverse cycle or gas ducted.
You need to allow for 1 to 2 days in order for this slab to heat up, and the same amount of time for it to cool down! If you’re feeling too hot or cold, you don’t have the flexibility to turn off the heating or turn on the heat with changes in the weather. Hydronic heating is not always usable if you’re unable to reduce or turn off the heat during the daytime.
As for an electric underfloor heating system, it takes around an hour for the Under Tile system to heat up and cool down, so this allows you to set the schedule to have the heating exactly where you want it. Hydronic heating usually operates on natural gas, but it will cost more if you run it on LPG. Often, a separate air conditioner is needed to meet the home’s cooling demands.
Are you looking to add heating to your bathrooms only? Even in a new-build application, the price of the boiler for the hydronic system is pretty unreasonable. An electric system is much more affordable.
Due to pipework and radiator panels, installing an electric heating system is much easier than a hydronic one. An electric system is completed by an electrician, whereas a hydronic system is more complex and requires a plumber. If something were to go wrong post-installation, it is harder to locate the issue with hydronic heating.
When it comes to an electric underfloor heating system, a technician can implement a high voltage down the cable to track where the damage may be. This can be traced down to a single tile that needs to be lifted and the heating cable repaired.
These systems also require regular boiler maintenance checks. If you run larger areas of electric heating, you might need to add extra circuitry to operate your hydronic system.
Hydronic heating should be checked once a month for calcium deposits or rust on the furnace, system water levels, leaks, or oil added to the pump motor.
If a hydronic heating system has a leaking pipe, water runs along the outside of the pipes, making it difficult to pinpoint leaks. A larger portion of the floor might be lifted to locate and repair it!
You might be dealing with water dripping or pooling around the boiler or pipes, hot spots created by leaks that aren’t visible to the naked eye (such as behind walls), a low-pressure gauge reading, or water flowing incorrectly.
Whether you decide on a hydraulic or electric heating and cooling system, it is recommended to add insulation below the heating. This stops downward heat loss as heat moves equally in all directions until it meets a thermal resistance layer.
Have you considered turning away from traditional gas heating? Electric heating or radiators converts electrical energy into heat and is widely used for Australian winters.
With this in mind, let’s delve into the pros and cons of this heating system for your space.
Heating accounts for the biggest amount of energy used in Victorian homes, but why should you consider electric heating as an investment?
It is estimated that converting an existing home with solar panels from gas to electricity can save around $1,250 a year on energy bills, and this is in addition to around $950 of savings per year from an existing 6.6kW solar system.
Ductwork for gas heating is expensive to install and always a hassle to modify. Although electric rates can be high, the way these heaters are used contributes to large energy savings.
If you want to know more about how much you and your family could save for the long term, have a look at these Victorian Government factsheets for new and existing homes wanting to commit to the switch!
Ever considered powering your home using solar panels? According to Sustainability Victoria, switching your home from a mix of gas and electric appliances to al-electric will reduce energy costs, make your home net-zero ready and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Electric heating is energy-efficient in comparison to gas or water heating alternatives.
For example, Victoria has set targets to halve emissions by 2030 in the hopes of reaching a net zero emissions economy by 2045. The gas sector contributes to approximately 17% of Victoria’s net greenhouse gas emissions.
From 1 January 2024, a planning permit for a new home or residential subdivision will only connect to electricity. The Victorian government is investing $10 million into a new Residential Electrification Grants program, which will be available to developers, home builders, and others for bulk rebates for solar hot water, solar panels, and heat pumps to new homebuyers upfront.
Learn more on the NCC2022 energy-efficiency provisions–including the 7-star minimum–on the Victorian Government Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action. Ideally, you want to choose an electric system with a high SEER rating for maximum energy efficiency.
Electric heaters and generally a lot safer in comparison to gas heating as they don’t burn fuel to generate heat. This eliminates the risks of carbon monoxide emissions and explosions.
Adding ducts to a HVAC system can cause issues with the design of the furnace, which pushes air throughout your home. Often forced air system vents are closed off in rooms that aren’t in use, which can put further strain on the furnace.
Pipes also aren’t water-filled, so there’s less of a risk of damage to your property from leaking or burst pipework. Electric systems also don’t emit noise and have no limescale build-up, unlike gas systems, for example.
Electric heating systems also run quietly, and most of the components are out of sight. They’re also a lot easier to operate with a thermostat or mobile app. You can set your ideal temperature and schedule operation times when you’re not at home! Once you’ve come home from work, you can experience a perfect environment after a long day.
A good example? A small wood space heater isn’t ideal as it requires a lot of work–collecting wood, drying it, and storing it–whereas electric heating can be turned on and off without smoke or cleaning.
What about the cons of electric heating?
If you’re considering replacing your gas central heating with electric, it’s a great idea to speak to a heating and cooling specialist to figure out what might work for you. For example, an electrician can rewire your electric radiators into fuse spurs if you’re planning on multiple electric radiators.
Learn more by reading gas vs electric heating and cooling to help you make an informed choice!
How much space do you have to heat? Central heating can heat your entire house–with zoning capacity–so you can also heat the rooms you use. After all, getting the wrong-sized heating system won’t heat properly, and you’ll end up paying more.
But the real question is, which heating system should you purchase? Ultimately, it’s up to you and what you’re looking for. If you live in a duplex, unit, or 5-bedroom home, your needs are going to be different.
If you decide on electric heating, reverse cycle air conditioners heat and cool a single room or open plan area. For example, split systems have an outdoor unit that extracts heat from the outside, transfers it to an indoor unit with a heat exchanger and fan, and blows the heated air around the room.
When buying new, provide the installer with measurements of your home, sift through Zoned Energy Rating labels and calculate heat running costs!
If you do decide on hydronic heating, Sustainability Victoria recommends setting the temperature between 18 C and 20 C every night, as every 1 C higher adds around 10% to your heating bill.
Haven’t quite decided on the best heating option for your space? With over 25 years of experience as fully qualified, industry-trained technicians, Australian Climate Systems install, service, and maintain heating systems, so you can trust us to give you professional recommendations.
Whether you’re interested in ducted reverse cycle heating and cooling, split systems, electric heating and cooling, or multi-head split systems, we support you with warranty repairs, sales and installation and supply a range of brands, from Bonaire to Daikin and Mitsubishi.
Contact us today and get a free quote on heating and cooling! Our sales consultants can meet you onsite, in your home, or in our showroom in Chirnside Park.