Why Hydronic (Water-Based) Central Heating is Healthier

Date: Aug 6, 2018 - 12:11 pm

More people are choosing a hydronic central heating system for a number of reasons. The benefits simply stack up: silent operation, flexibility, comfortable heating, low maintenance and cost effectiveness.

But perhaps the most compelling reason for choosing this space heating method is the fact that it makes your home healthier by improving indoor air quality. This is an important benefit for New Zealand homes, since respiratory illnesses such as asthma affect 1 in 6 Kiwis. In fact, respiratory diseases are costing Kiwis over $66 billion a year and are the third leading cause of death in NZ.

why_hydronic_central_heating_is_healthierWhat is hydronic heating?

As the name suggests, hydronic heating uses hot water to distribute heat throughout the home. The heat is generated in a gas boiler and then distributed through a pipe system. Using natural convection and radiation, the circulating water warms up the household by evenly distributing a comfortable and gentle heat. Instead of warming the air in your home (like fan-forced systems do), hydronic heaters warm objects to release radiant heat.

Once the system is set up, you can forget it and it will do its job without supervision. You can adjust the temperature and create zones to ensure comfortable, on-demand heating only for the rooms you use. This, and the fact that hydronic heaters are around 30% cheaper to run than ducted systems, makes the technology an economical heating alternative.

Since it uses less energy to generate the same amount of heat, it is generally the preferred central heating system by those in cooler climates.

So why is hydronic heating healthy?

  • It does not dry out the air

Many fan-forced ducted systems tend to suck moisture from the air or cause unpleasant draughts. Dry air may exacerbate some of the symptoms for asthma sufferers. With hydronic central heating, there are no hot spots or humidity produced, so the air doesn’t dry out.

  • It prevents mould growth

Unflued gas heaters and fan-forced ducted heaters produce water vapour, which create damp areas that may harbour moulds. Moulds are a well-known trigger for allergies and asthma attacks. But because hydronic heaters reduce moisture and humidity in the air, mould growth will become less likely.

  • It keeps allergens at bay

Since hydronic heating systems don’t use fans, vents or ducts, they don’t allow dust mites, pollens and other air-borne allergens to enter your home. Most of the components are hidden beneath the floors or behind walls, so they also don’t harbour dust particles.

  • It’s healthy for the environment, too!

Hydronic heating utilises water and natural gas, and uses 70 percent less energy than other modes of central heating. You also have the option to use solar power to heat the water, which improves energy efficiency. Additionally, the system allows you to create zones so you can heat specific rooms on demand rather than heating the entire home at once. All these help you keep your emissions low.

It can even be healthy for your wallet. Since there are few moving parts and the system is sealed, very little could go wrong and your hydronic heater will stay maintenance free for many years. If you use quality components and ensure proper installation, the system is pretty much set-and-forget.

For more information about hydronic central heating systems, talk to us on 0800 4 HEATING or 0800 443 284.