Another winter has passed and it’s time to pack away the heaters and electric blankets. For next year’s winter, during this summer, let’s investigate living the green smart home way to keep our home warm and comfortable next winter. And, cool next summer. And the same for future winters and summers. Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling is a cost-effective way to manage our homes at a comfortable temperature all year round.
What is Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling?
Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling works by circulating warm or cold water through a network of pipes laid in the floor. The system is popular in eco friendly lifestyle homes. The heat or cold spreads gently throughout the house and eliminates the need for heaters in winter and air-conditioners in summer. It’s a closed system, thus the water is re-used.
The hot and cold water is ideally obtained from a heat pump which is able to produce water at the required temperature, hot and cold water simultaneously, during the year.
Why choose Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling?
Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling is a cost effective method for heating and cooling our homes. When we’re ready to adopt green and eco friendly living, and combine a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system with a heat pump and photovoltaic solar power, the cost savings are momentous.
This method allows for an even distribution of the required temperature, making it more effective than heaters and air-condition. As the warm or cold air rises from the floor it spreads the temperature throughout, keeping it comfortable.
Imagine waking up on chilly winter mornings, putting our bare feet directly onto a tiled floor. Without Hydronis Radiant heating we’d immediately remove our feet and slide them back under the covers. Instead, we’d get up right away and walk on the tiled floors feeling their warmth. People are surprised to discover that living green and eco friendly makes our lives simpler, comfortable and reducing monthly running costs.
What are the advantages of the Hydronics Radiant system?
When compared with conventional heating and cooling methods, the Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system offers a number of benefits to homeowners:
- Quiet and comfortable
As mentioned above, Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling distributes heating and cooling evenly throughout the space. We don’t have to limit ourselves to a warm area during the cold months. We work, play and relax in any room without first switching on a heater to warm up the area. Greener living is about comfort at reduced running costs.
Unlike heaters, the Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling doesn’t dry out the air. In certain parts of the country, winter is a dry season. The dry air takes a toll on our skin, hair and mucous membranes. Relying on a heater to keep warm only dries out the air more which impacts on us. Instead, Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling retains the moisture levels present in the air which means our health isn’t impacted.
Finally, a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system is clean and quiet. The pipes are laid under the floor and no need to pack away or drag out the appliances as the seasons change. The system doesn’t blow hot or cold air around so there’s no noise at all. We merely snuggle up on the couch in winter and listen to music or watch television without having to turn the sound up. Same in summer, no sound to contend with, just enjoy the comfort.
- Energy efficient and environmentally friendly
Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling saves us between 60% to 95% on our monthly electricity costs. Think about the electricy we use to heat or cool our homes. Living in this comfort while reducing this cost multiple times is what the ideal Hydronics system enables throughout the year.
When combining Hydronics with the heat pump and photovoltaic solar power, we live in comfort while saving 95% electricity.
At the same time while we’re saving resources, we’re reducing our carbon footprint. Eco friendly lifestyle homes are about using resources wisely and efficiently, and living in comfort – and it’s not a passing fad. It’s a win-win for home owners, the environment and the planet – we’re reducing the increasing costs and the strain on resources.
- Clean, safe and easy to maintain
Floors that are warm and dry inhibit the growth of mold and house mites. And think of how our heaters gather dust in the winter. As soon as we turn them on, they blow dust and other pathogens into the air we breathe. Studies have proven that eco friendly lifestyle homes are cleaner and healthier and have better air quality than traditional homes.
A Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system improves the air quality in our home and our health. When we suffer from allergies or asthma, Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling helps us manage our symptoms and cut down on visits to the doctor.
There’s no risk of tripping over a heater or fan either which makes a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system ideal for families with small children or elderly parents.
Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling systems have few moving and mechanical parts and require periodical and minor servicing or maintenance.
We adjust the temperature for individual zones easy via a smartphone app or computer.
- Flexible design
Because the Hydronics system is laid under the floor, there are no air ducts to consider when designing the home. The pipes are enclosed within a screed, thus out of sight. They cannot be tampered with and provide a secure heating and cooling solution.
The whole floor is used to radiate heat and cold water in the pipes and need to be heated or cooled to a temperature of between 21° to 23° depending on the season. Green and eco friendly living is as cost-effective as it resource-effective.
Whilst most eco friendly lifestyle houses include a Hydronic Radiant heating and cooling system as part of their design, this type of system cannot be economically retrofitted to existing houses. It would require that the floor be removed from the finishes all the way to the foundation slab (unless wooden structure and floor.) To accommodate the Hydronics system, the system takes up 15cm containing a vapour barrier, floor insulation, varioprofile water pipes, the screed and tiled floor finish – and a few other intricate modifications.
Instead, when in the market for a new home, look for an eco friendly lifestyle home that has the features and advantages of green and eco friendly living. While eco friendly lifestyle homes are more expensive, we reap the benefits from when we move in. and years down the road when the time comes to sell the property on.
A word about insulation
Whether keen to invest in an eco friendly lifestyle home with a Hydronic Radiant heating and cooling system, be aware of the importance of comprehensive insulation. Without floor-, ceiling-, exterior wall-, double glazing and water pipe insulation, a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system will not be as efficient.
Purpose built eco friendly lifestyle houses are designed to include insulation at every stage of the building project. It is worth asking the developer about the methods used to ensure that they are efficient and in keeping with green and eco friendly living principles. Wherever possible, insulation would be made from recycled or recyclable material. This is especially important for ceiling insulation; there are various products on the market that cater for this.
Most existing homes aren’t insulated. That’s why we need to do an audit of our home insulation before we retrofit a Hydronics system. Poor insulation adds to the viability of whether to retrofit Hydronics. Though not impossible, it’ll be pricey. And moving out of the residence and placing all furniture in storage during the retrofitting are further costs.
Here are some eco friendly lifestyle tips for insulating a home:
- Check for air leaks: Window and door frames are the most obvious areas where drafts slip through. Ensure all windows and doors close tightly and if they don’t, use weather strips and caulk to seal up any gaps. Just taking care of these small air leaks will make a difference to the temperature of our homes in winter and summer.
- Insulated floors: With a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system, the pipes are on top of the floor insulation and covered by an extra thick screed. A vapour barrier is below the insulation, keeping moist out. The insulation is part of enclosing the space, the screed is a good conductor of the radiant temperature to maximize the system’s efficiency all your round.
- Ceiling insulation: The insulation is essential to prevent heat from escaping during the winter and the cold during summer.
- Double-glazing: Investing in double-glazing adds to insulating the space
- Water pipes: Insulating the regular hot and cold water pipes throughout the home completes the insulation.
When combining a comprehensively insulated home with a Hydronics system, they complement each other and provide a comfortable home while significantly reducing power usage.
Dreaming of living in a home that doesn’t need heaters in winter or air-conditioners in summer? The answer is a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system. With such a home an even temperature is achieved all year round and we’re able to manage the temperature in individual rooms. Greener living makes a lot of sense. If in the market to buy a new home, or looking for ways to add real value to our home, consider investing in a Hydronics Radiant heating and cooling system. And start reaping rewards immediately; with big savings on the monthly energy bill and as a sound investment.
