The most energy-efficient way to heat your home

What is hydronic underfloor heating?

Hydronic underfloor heating systems are rapidly becoming a more popular choice for home extensions, renovations, and brand new constructions. This system uses water to heat the pipes beneath the flooring and can be linked to practically any heat source from an existing boiler to newer more sustainable methods such as heat pumps or even solar thermal energy.

Who is hydronic underfloor heating right for?

Practically anyone! If your able to have pipes installed in your foundation then hydronic underfloor heating is the way to go. Installation is of course easier when starting from scratch with a new-build but can definitely be implemented in other existing structures. As always you should consult with a professional first, we recommend warmth.nz as there are always extra considerations to be factored in such as insulation methods and the direction and location of your household.

So if you’re looking to reduce your heat loss, lower your running costs, all the while providing your new home with a superior warming system then hydronic underfloor heating is likely the right decision for you. If you are planning on implementing systems into your daily life to live a more sustainable lifestyle solar panels can be installed to work alongside hydronic underfloor heating, heating the water within the pipes with naturally sourced energy.

How does it work?

A hydronic underfloor heating system simply heats water and moves it through sealed pipes laid within the flooring throughout your home or designated area. This same system can also be used to heat something as small as a towel rail to something as large as a swimming pool. Hydronic heating heats water at its source before distributing the warmed water throughout your house via the underfloor pipes. There is a multitude of ways to heat the water, however, the most energy and therefore cost-effective is via the use of solar energy. Solar Hydronics utilise solar panels to generate power which is stored in a thermal tank and then used by a heat pump to create hot water to distribute throughout your underfloor heating system.

The Superhome thumbs-up

The Superhome Movement is a non-profit organisation with a mission to provide Kiwis with healthier more energy-efficient homes. On the Superhome website, one of the key factors that they identify to create a healthy, energy-efficient home is solar-powered hydronic underfloor heating. Our Director at OSA, Andre Kemp-Upton,  is on the board of the Superhome movement and is a strong advocate for all kiwi’s having access to healthy, energy-efficient homes to increase their quality of life. If you’re interested in making a difference please get involved! Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much!