Increasing in popularity for installation in Australian residential and commercial settings alike, hydronic heating and cooling systems offer a wide range of benefits, including high thermal comfort levels with lower running costs; reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased sustainability against global warming through re-use of waste heat; lower noise levels than air conditioners, and the ability to install in new or existing homes with little disruption.

On average, 40% of the energy we use at home is for heating and cooling – and this doesn’t include heating hot water. Your choice of heating system will have a large impact on your home’s carbon footprint.

Hot water recirculating systemcost

Water is an excellent conductor of heat, which is why hydronic heating is so efficient. In a hydronic system, heat is transferred into the room via thermal radiation.

Most commonly associated with heating, hydronic systems can also provide efficient and effective cooling for your home. Hydronic products including underfloor, trench systems and wall mounted fan coils offer both powerful heating and cooling in one product. A great example is the Galletti ART-U.

Hydronic wall heating offers a host of benefits, which explains the surging popularity of their installation in homes, child care and aged care settings and health care environments in Australia, with specifically designed wall heating products for safety critical settings.

On-demand hot water recirculating pumps work with one key difference: your water isn’t constantly recirculating, and you save energy and money.

✓ No dedicated recirculation loop✓ Tank or Tankless water heater✓ Multiple dead-end lines✓ Includes pump, crossover valves, and Smart Thermostatic Control 32✓ Satisfies CA Title 24 Requirements

We’ve rounded up the basics, along with the most frequently asked questions about hydronic heating, to give you a thorough overview of this sustainable and energy efficient approach to climate control.

If you’re not sure which pump is right for your home or business, please read our article “Hot Water Recirculation Pump Recommendations: What’s Best for Your Situation” to help you ensure you’re installing the best pump to deliver hot water with the speed and volume you expect from your new or existing plumbing.

✓ Dedicated recirculation loop✓ Tankless water heater✓ Implements LEED for Homes v4 requirements✓ You have a hot water recirculating pump installed or plan on installing one✓ Satisfies CA Title 24 Requirements

Compared to other home heating and cooling systems on the market, hydronic heating wins points on the following over competitors.

While the initial installation cost for a hydronic system may be a higher investment than a ducted system, the ongoing running costs for hydronic are lower and a big reason it is chosen over ducted systems. In either case, it pays to have quality insulation throughout your home.

Another potential health risk with ducted heating systems is carbon monoxide poisoning. When ducted systems are not serviced regularly or are faulty or damaged in any way, there is the possibility of large volumes of carbon monoxide being produced and leaking into the home, which is not good news. The best thing to do is ensure you have it serviced regularly (as advised by the manufacturer).

Suitable for any home, there are wall heating options that can work for every room in the house, including your bathroom.

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On-demand systems only pull hot water when necessary; smart recirculation pumps typically run less than 30 minutes a day.

✓ Dedicated recirculation loop/open loop✓ Tank water heater✓ You have a hot water recirculating pump installed or plan on installing one✓ Satisfies CA Title 24 Requirements

Extra energy efficiency heating points are scored by using a condensing boiler, which extracts heat that would generally escape via water vapour. The heat is recycled to pre-heat the water before it makes its journey back to the boiler.

Hot water recirculatingpump

Dirty air ducts and vents can result in people getting headaches, respiratory issues, asthma or allergies worsening, general lethargy and skin rashes including eczema and sinus issues.

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Hydronic heating uses hot water to heat your home and is one of the most efficient and versatile forms of heating. Also referred to as radiant heating, a hydronic heating system circulates heated water through sealed pipes to underfloor heating systems, trench convectors, panel radiators, or heated towel rails.

✓ No dedicated recirculation loop✓ Tank or Tankless water heater✓ Multiple dead-end lines✓ For use with existing AquaMotion or similar high-flow thermostatic crossover valves✓ Satisfies CA Title 24 Requirements

Also known as radiators or radiator panels, products come in a wide range of sizes and configurations offering flexibility for installation locations. Gone are the days of a standard radiator, there are also many designer radiator options on the market that can act as a style feature for your home.

This question is a matter of ongoing debate for some, but realistically there are benefits to both home heating systems. While initially a bigger investment to purchase and install, ultimately hydronic heating comes out on top for health and safety, running costs and ongoing expenses.

Perfect for homes with floor to ceiling glass facades and limited wall space, trench heating is flush with the floor level and operates through a shallow trough that runs the perimeter of the space, covered with a grille. There are a range of design options available to suit the design of your home.

By engaging with trained professionals with specific experience and training in hydronic heating installation, you’re protecting your investment and will get the best performance from your system.

The entire system is powered by a boiler or a heat pump. Boilers heat water that is then piped through a closed loop system throughout the home. Different boilers will have different running and installation costs, depending on the fuel they require and their level of efficiency. The boiler you choose for your new system will depend on a number of factors, including whether your home has access to natural gas, the layout of your home, and your budget.

When you want hot water, simply turn the faucet on then off, wait a few seconds and the system sends the hot water to your faucet.

Ducted systems can filter the air to a degree, but ultimately because it is using fan forced air to warm your home, there will be airborne dust particles, pollens and other pollutants circulating. Dust also builds up inside air ducts and can be costly to properly clean, unlike with hydronic systems where you simply wipe over the unit with a damp cloth.

Hydronic heating and cooling has come a long way since then, with many product and installation options for residential and commercial climate control solutions.

The first known record of underfloor heating was in ancient Rome using a radiant heating system called ‘hypocaust’ – ahead of their time!

When water sits in a pipe, it begins to drop in temperature from heat loss, quickly matching the temperature of the pipes. Therefore, typical recirculation systems constantly run water through the pipes to keep them heated. When the water is recirculated through the system, it doesn’t get a chance to cool down, offering a constant flow of hot water. However, there are some drawbacks to this.

Yes, it can. The most common options for residential hydronic heating fuel sources are natural gas or electricity by way of an energy efficient boiler or air to water heat pump.

Constantly running hot water can also cause copper pipes to erode. This can lead to pinhole leaks in your pipes, which will then need replacement, as well as cause water damage to your home.

Wattshot water Recirculating System

Hot water recirculating systemwith dedicated return line

We’ve all had those moments when we let the water run for 30 seconds or sometimes even a few minutes before any hot water came out of the faucet. With a hot water recirculation system, this will no longer be an issue.

Our industry-leading smartphone application and controllers deliver hot water fast, throughout your home without the need to run wires, install buttons or motion sensors and without the need to run your hot water recirculation pump 24/7

Many cities provide rebates and incentives for installing a recirculating pump because they save water, however, your hot water recirculation system is working nonstop, ultimately driving up your energy bill, so it ends up being a costly luxury.

Not limited to the bathroom walls of fancy hotel suites, heated towel rails are now available to homeowners, with benefits existing beyond the luxury.

Basically saved my wallet! Gas bill went from over $100 to $32.00 in the first month. No more worrying about the pump running all the time and what damage maybe occurring to plumbing and fixtures, not to mention just wasting energy like crazy. Best investment I’ve made and hot water on demand. Love it!

With servicing of your hydronic system as per manufacturer’s guidelines, hydronic heating is one of the safest options for climate control for your home.

If you have a circulation pump installed, you don’t need to replace it – we have controllers to turn your system into a smart hot water recirculating pump. With a combination of smart timer technology, you’ll never have to worry about high water or energy bills from your hot water system again.

This is an amazing product that helps you save water and energy while providing the luxury of immediate hot water at your fingertips. The design is elegantly simple and genius. I would not consider a hot water recirculation loop system without the Leridian control system.

Many hydronic wall radiators can be custom painted to match existing decor or designs in your home or commercial space. Your best bet is to check the product specifications of the radiator panels you are considering to ensure ‘Colour Options’ are available prior to purchase.

✓ No dedicated recirculation loop✓ Tank or Tankless water heater✓ Use with Watts – Grundfos – Taco thermostatic systems✓ For better on demand performance use Smart Thermostatic Control Complete System

hot water recirculating systemwith built-in timer

With more than 40 years hydronic heating experience, Hunt Heating remain the most trusted experts in hydronic heating and cooling across Australia.

Similarly, in trench convectors, a special panel installed inside the trench is heated by the system’s hot water. As cold air from the room falls into the trench, it is heated by the panel and rises back into the room through the trench’s grilles. As with the other hydronic heat emitters, no hot air is blown out – it is simply the hot air rising from the heated panel.

Do you want to calculate the cost savings of using on-demand Smart Recirculation Control for your hot water system? →Download our spreadsheet to calculate your savings and environmental impact.

Hot water recirculating systemwithout dedicated return line

Generally speaking, most ducted heating is gas run, but also uses electricity for the fans. It also depends on the choice of heat source which can be gas powered or electricity powered.

Brilliant. Amazing. I installed this unit to replace a wireless remote control.  Sometimes it got the signal, sometimes not. Now there is no doubt. Simply turn on any hot water tap in the house and the pump starts.

Yes. There might be different installation techniques employed, particularly for underfloor heating, which can be installed on top of the existing floor, but ultimately all hydronic heating and cooling systems can be retrofitted with minimal fuss.

Since 1982, Hunt Heating has been providing Australian households with stylish, safe, and comfortable heating and cooling solutions. As exclusive stockists of premium hydronic heating products, we ensure that all homes can enjoy the benefits of low carbon, energy-efficient systems.

Dust mites, pollens, pet and people dander, fungal spores and other airborne pollutants can spur the growth of mould, which is a serious trigger for asthma sufferers. Approximately 2.7 million Australians have asthma across all age groups and there are just as many who experience seasonal allergies.

* designed and manufactured in the U.S.A with U.S. and foreign made components (most semiconductor manufacturing is done overseas)

Hot water recirculatingpump installation diagram

Absolutely. The biggest health benefit of hydronic heating is that it doesn’t rely on fans, vents or ducts to transport warmth throughout your home, unlike ducted heating and cooling systems, blow heaters and air conditioning units.

A great way to warm every area of your home, including your bathroom! Underfloor heating can be installed into new properties on the ground floor within the foundation slab, or to existing floors with a range of installation options to choose from. There are considerations to keep in mind before installing heated floors to ensure you make the best choices for your property.

There are many examples of hot water being used for heating throughout the ages. One of the earliest known recorded uses was way back at the end of the 14th century where a monastery in Greenland was using hot spring water to heat the buildings.

If you opt for underfloor heating or trench hydronic heating systems, the surface temperature is comfortable and controlled by thermostats. Like ducted heating, there are no electrical connections, which further reduces any safety concern.

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The on-demand controller is contained within the utility closet and activates hot water delivery from any plumbing fixture on-demand and/or with the use of Smart Timers. Owners control the settings of the Smart Recirculation Control units via a smartphone app to ensure your system only runs when you need it.

This product is simply genius. It revolutionizes the hot water on demand market. Circulating pumps have been sold for years bragging instant hot water and little water waist while waiting for hot water. When we bought this house that had one installed, I was very happy to save water and have instant hot water. That was until I did some research that revealed I am using massive energy by running the pump 24-7 and energy to keep that water hot in the line.  All that waist for the convivence having instant hot water a few times a day. Sure, it did save some water but a very high cost to me and the environment. So, I added a timer to my pump to turn it on morning and evenings when I was more likely to use hot water. Better, but still not that efficient.  I have searched for remote on demand systems that I could add to be more efficient, but they all had issues like hard to install, hard to remember if it was left on or off, WIFI or Bluetooth issues, need to use apps or find a good location(s) for control(s).  Then I ran across this product. Are you kidding me! No fumbling with buttons or apps – just turn the hot water on for a second to get the pump pumping. Brilliant!! Only pumps when you ask for it and need it.  This checks all of the environmental boxes. Absolutely saves water. Use the absolute minimum energy to deliver the hot water – ONLY when needed. The Smart control 32 should be required with every recirculating pump sold.

While the installation cost might be an outgoing you want to avoid, or if you consider yourself pretty handy on the tools, it is still highly advisable that you don’t embark on hydronic heating installation as a DIY weekend project.

Leridian Dynamics sells the 2006SN10 three speed pump that works great with our on demand controls. It is offered as an option when purchasing our controller.

Hunt Heating systems provide flexible climate control options at a lower cost, making us the smart choice for heating and cooling your home. We stay committed to product innovation so that you can enjoy the best heating and cooling solutions right here in Australia.

✓ Dedicated recirculation loop/open loop✓ Tankless water heater✓ You have a hot water recirculating pump installed or plan on installing one✓ Satisfies CA Title 24 Requirements

Hot water recirculating systemdiagram

On-demand recirculating systems can help you save money on your electric bill and water bill, and you also have the added benefit of not having to wait for hot water.

Our Smart Recirculation Control family of products gives you the benefits of instant hot water systems without the headaches and costs that come with them.

Thermal radiation is the transfer of heat through the air in the form of electromagnetic radiation waves. In hydronic heating, heat emitters such as wall-mounted radiators, underfloor coils and heated towel rails emit radiant heat to warm the room. Because radiant heat is absorbed by objects, it cannot be blown away or moved.

Our controllers can be used simply as an on-demand controller for your recirculation pump or, once configured using either an iPhone, iPad, or Android smart device; it can be configured via timers to keep the recirculation loop hot between specific times of day and on specific days of the week (up to 10 timers can be set).

Compared to other home heating system options, hydronic heating is hands down the best choice when it comes to caring for everyone’s home – mother earth.

Thermostats may also be used to direct certain temperatures to different heating zones within the home and may be programmed to switch on and off at certain times of the day. Hydronic heating is believed to be one of the most comfortable forms of heating because it heats objects in the room, rather than the air. This results in an even and consistent distribution of non-drying heat, with no cold spots or fluctuations in temperature.

Hydronic heating works by circulating heated water throughout the home via a sealed pipe network. The heat in the pipes then radiates into the room through wall-mounted radiators, convectors, or underfloor heating systems.

Unlike other heating systems that use fans or vents to blow warm air around the room, hydronic heating heats objects through radiation, which results in an even distribution of comfortable heat.

The water in hydronic heating systems is always well below boiling point and surface areas on radiators and towel rails will not burn or scald little hands.

Hydronic heating offers the lowest greenhouse gas emissions compared to other home heating system options, and lower energy bills to boot.