Energy Savings - A Benefit of Hydronic Heating Systems

In the previous post we covered the benefit of comfort from a properly designed hydronic system that can help control air and surface temperature at either the whole building or at different zones in the building.

In addition to the benefit of comfort, there are many other benefits available from a properly designed hydronic system and one of them is energy savings. 

Heat loss in structures has a lot to do with the type of heating system installed. As a result, buildings with a radiant heating system usually have lower heating energy use than similar buildings with forced air systems. 

Two factors that contribute to higher energy usage in buildings that do not use a radiant heating system have to do with air pressure and air temperature stratification.

Air pressure

Forced air systems create air pressure changes in each room and the lack of an efficient design system results in heat loss as the heated air goes out through cracks, holes, and other openings as it is pushed by the higher air pressure. Since hydronic systems do not affect room air pressure, they are able to have lower energy usage.

Air Temperature Stratification

Hydronic systems are able to maintain higher temperatures at the bottom of rooms while cooler air can be found at the top of rooms. In contrast, other heating systems result in warm air going to the top of the room and then being lost through the ceiling. 


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