Heating choices are a common debate, and this includes hydronic and electric heating. Whether users are renting a small studio room or have just bought their first home, a consistent temperature is something user’ll be thinking about.
Users want to be cozy 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 the first time buying a heater or the user already has a general idea, this article will outline the extensive pros and cons of both systems so the user can make a decision.
What is Hydronic Heating?
Hydronic heating uses water to heat the home. A boiler heats water, which circulates through a network of pipes that run under the floor.
The heat from this water transforms the home to a comfortable, even temperature, and most hydronic systems in Australia are located in the slab, not directly below the floor finish.
What are the Pros of Hydronic Heating?
Let’s look at some of the reasons why hydronic heating might work for users!
Reduced Energy Bills
Designed only to use only necessary energy, hydronic heating energy efficiency can be higher
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 the home.
Designed only to use only necessary energy, hydronic heating energy efficiency can be higher with lower water temperatures.
- An electric system
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 the Aussie climate than an In-Slab heating system since it has a faster heat-up-and-cool-down time.
Clean, Safe, and Quiet Heating
Forced air central heating systems push around dust, dirt, and odors already present in the environment. Heaters are prone to dirt with their vents, grilles, louvers, filters, and overall more dust accumulation!
Likewise, how are hydronic heaters quieter than other systems? Users can expect no noise from expanding and contracting ductwork, fans spinning at high speeds, or air blown around the rooms. The noise the user hears is from the boiler, which is just like using hot water!
- Limited temperature range
All hydronic products are safe to the touch as the water commonly reaches 65C
Hydronic heating also warms the surface instead of the air itself, so users won’t need to stress about accidental burns. All hydronic products are safe to the touch as the water commonly reaches 65C, so it’s a good way to heat the property.
With this in mind, users might not reach the cooling in summer or warmth in winter that user’re looking for. These systems have a limited temperature range, so they’re not suitable for certain climates or weather conditions.
Consistent Performance
Hydronic heating warms objects in the room–not only the air–so users can feel warm even when the thermostat is set too low. Do users have large spaces user 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, users 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.
What are the Cons of Hydronic Heating?
Why might it not be the best idea to invest in hydronic heating options?
Frustrating heating and cooling controls
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.
Users need to allow for 1 to 2 days for this slab to heat, and the same amount of time for it to cool down! If the user is feeling too hot or cold, the user doesn’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 user’re unable to reduce or turn off the heat during the daytime.
- Electric underfloor heating system
Even in a new-build application, the price of the boiler for the hydronic system is pretty unreasonable
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 the user to set the schedule to have the heating exactly where the user wants it. Hydronic heating usually operates on natural gas, but it will cost more if users run it on LPG. Often, a separate air conditioner is needed to meet the home’s cooling demands.
Are users looking to add heating to the 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.
Complex Installation and Maintenance
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 would be 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.
- Extra circuitry
These systems also require regular boiler maintenance checks. If the user runs larger areas of electric heating, the user might need to add extra circuitry to operate the 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.
Higher Risk of Water Leaks
Users might be dealing with water dripping or pooling around the boiler or pipes, hot spots created by leaks
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! Users 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 the user decides 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.
What is Electric Heating?
Have users considered turning away from traditional gas heating? Electric heating or radiators convert 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 the space.
What are the Pros of Electric Heating?
Heating accounts for the biggest amount of energy used in Victorian homes, but why should users consider electric heating as an investment?
Saves user Money
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 users want to know more about how much the user and their 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!
Always Energy-Efficient
Victoria has set targets to halve emissions by 2030 in the hopes of reaching a net zero emissions
Ever considered powering the home using solar panels? According to Sustainability Victoria, switching the home from a mix of gas and electric appliances to al-electric will reduce energy costs, make the 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.
- Residential Electrification Grants program
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.
Comfortable and Simple to Install
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 an HVAC system can cause issues with the design of the furnace, which pushes air throughout the 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 the property from leaking or burst pipework.
- Thermostat or mobile app
Electric systems also don’t emit noise and have no limescale build-up, unlike gas systems, for example
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. Users can set the ideal temperature and schedule operation times when user’re not at home!
Once the user comes home from work, the user 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?
- Electric heating isn’t always environmentally friendly if a burning process creates the electricity. It can be more effective to directly use the burning energy as heat by burning locally.
- Space heating isn’t the best option if users have a large family home. It will heat a one-bedroom studio–temporarily–but it’s not going to be as effective as split systems or electric reverse cycle ducted heating in terms of stable room temperature and custom heating options.
- If the user has multiple electric radiators, the user will need to set up the heating schedule again for each one.
If users are considering replacing the 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 the user. For example, an electrician can rewire the electric radiators into fuse spurs if a user is planning on multiple electric radiators.
Which is More Energy Efficient: Hydronic vs. Electric?
Central heating can heat the entire house–with zoning capacity–so users can also heat the rooms
How much space does the user have to heat? Central heating can heat the entire house–with zoning capacity–so users can also heat the rooms they use. After all, getting the wrong-sized heating system won’t heat properly, and users will end up paying more.
But the real question is, which heating system should the user purchase? Ultimately, it’s up to the user and what the user is looking for. If users live in a duplex, unit, or 5-bedroom home, the needs are going to be different.
- Zoned Energy Rating label
If the user decides 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 the home, sift through Zoned Energy Rating labels, and calculate heat running costs! If users do decide on hydronic heating, Sustainability Victoria recommends setting the temperature between 18C and 20C every night, as every 1C higher adds around 10% to the heating bill.
Australian Climate Systems: Heating & Cooling Experts
Haven’t quite decided on the best heating option for the space? With over 25 years of experience as fully qualified, industry-trained technicians, Australian Climate Systems install, service, and maintain heating systems, so users can trust us to give user professional recommendations.
Whether users are interested in ducted reverse cycle heating and cooling, split systems, electric heating and cooling, or multi-head split systems, we support users with warranty repairs, sales, and installation and supply a range of brands, from Bonaire to Daikin and Mitsubishi.
