THE ECONOMICS OF HYDRONIC HEATING
The first question for many home builders and remodelers: “Does Hydronic Heating cost more to install than other types of heating?”
First of all, Hydronic Heating is not necessarily more expensive to install. In fact, using baseboard or radiator heating can be one of the most economical installations possible. Some types of Hydronic Heating, such as the increasingly popular radiant heating, may cost more. But the advantages of heating with hot water far outweigh the cost considerations.
By installing Hydronic Heating, you are creating a home with exceptional heating comfort and efficiency. While it is true that some home buyers are simply looking for the lowest priced home they can find, most buyers want to be certain that they’re going to be comfortable in winter, and that their heating system is efficient.
Buyers are looking at new and existing homes that offer value and comfort. Value added in heating comfort could be one of your key deal-makers.
How does Hydronic Heating save energy dollars?
A major reason is that water retains heat. Water is one of nature’s most efficient conductors of heat. Once you heat water in the boiler, that water stays hot for a long time – long after the boiler stops firing. This heated water is circulated around the house and continues to heat the home. The homeowner pays once to heat up the water, but the water keeps on transferring heat for a long time.
Another reason is that Hydronic Heating has little effect on the air pressure in the heated space. The air pressure remains stable in the room, and the heat stays where it is needed.
Perhaps the most compelling reason for Hydronic Heating’s efficiency is its extraordinary ability to be easily and efficiently zoned. Just watch your prospective home buyers’ eyes light up when you tell them they can heat just this room or these few rooms where they spend most of their time. Rooms that are used less frequently can be heated to a lower temperature. Your buyers probably won’t say it out loud, but you can hear the dollar signs in energy cost savings registering in their heads. Better yet, with Hydronic Heating, zoning is easy and economical to install. Zoned heating is value added at its best and a powerful selling point.
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| The Hydronic Industry Alliance is a proud member of the National Council of the Housing Industry of the National Association of Home Builders, and featured in the NAHB IBS Show in the American Gas and Propane Industries Exhibit. | |
Versatile Design Cuts Costs
For home builders, a primary advantage of Hydronic Heating is that it is inherently multi-purpose. The same boiler used for home heating can also provide domestic hot water, pool and spa heating, sidewalk and driveway snow melting, and even towel rack warming. This eliminates the need to install entire separate systems for these additional uses, which translates into big savings in installation costs and time.
A Hydronic installation also enables the builder to use different types of Hydronic Heating delivery systems in separate areas of the home. It is not uncommon for a home to have radiant floor heating on the first floor and finned tube baseboard or panel radiators for heating the second or even the third floors. Again, the same boiler provides the hot water for all of this heating, no matter how the heat is delivered.
Easy Installation
Installing a Hydronic Heating system is surprisingly fast and easy. Hot water can be circulated throughout a house by using copper or small, flexible, PEX tubing (extremely durable tubing manufactured from polyethylene plastic). This tubing is easy to install, requires very little maintenance and it saves you time, money and headaches.
So, to return to our initial question: You should consider Hydronic Heating for several sound economic reasons. It is not necessarily more expensive to install. It adds tremendous value to the home you are building or remodeling. It saves you on installation time and it saves your customer on heating energy costs. Finally, it provides unsurpassed heating comfort and very happy customers.