Your home’s heating system is one of your biggest energy users in winter, and it has a major impact on your comfort. If you’re in the market for a heating upgrade, it’s well worth considering all the options available before you choose.
Hydro-air systems, while still relatively uncommon, are gaining popularity for their flexibility and reliability.
These systems combine two tried-and-true heating methods to give you the best of each.
How Hydro-Air Heating Works
Hydro-air heating systems essentially combine water-based heating with the quick distribution of forced air. The system uses a boiler powered by natural gas, oil, or propane. Water heats inside the boiler, then gets pumped through a tube to an air handler like one in a conventional furnace.
The air handler has a pump, hot water coil, blower fan, and, in most systems, an air conditioning coil. As hot water heats up the heating coil, the blower fan sends cold air from your home over the hot coil. The air picks up heat, and the blower fan moves the air out into your ductwork.
Hydro-air systems can also use tankless water heaters, but they’re less straightforward in design. Tankless water heaters require a minimum water flow to kick in, and they take time to heat up the water. That means you’ll need an extra storage tank to supply hot water when the tankless system doesn’t.
The Advantages of Heating with Hydro-Air
Hydro-air heating systems offer several benefits that might make them attractive to you — from customizable comfort to energy savings.
Flexibility and Zoning Options
You can mix and match heat emitters in a hydro-air system. Some homeowners use radiant flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, baseboard heaters and radiators in the living room, and forced air through the rest of the house. You can even add small luxuries like hydronic heated towel bars.
Zoning is easier as well with hydro-air. You can use a separate handler for each zone to precisely tailor each room’s temperature for your needs.
Efficiency and Reliability
Hydro-air systems are as efficient or more compared to conventional forced air furnaces. If you use an older forced-air furnace and water heater, you can replace both appliances with a single boiler. Aside from being more efficient and eco-friendly, it could also qualify you for energy efficiency rebates and lower monthly utility bills.
For maximum efficiency, choose a modulating boiler. These boilers vary their energy use based on the amount of hot water you need at the moment.
For added efficiency, use a modulating boiler that can adjust its output based on hot water demand. With only one hot water tap on, the system runs at a lower setting. Turn on the shower, dishwasher, or heating system, though, and the boiler will step up its output to meet your demand. Modulating boilers prioritize water for taps and appliances, so you won’t have to worry about getting a cold shower when the heating kicks in.
Read also: What is Chilled Water Air Conditioning?
What to Keep in Mind
Before you decide to install a hydro-air heater, there are a few important considerations and requirements to keep in mind.
Installing a hydro-air system is most cost-effective if you already have some type of boiler. Otherwise, a new forced air system will cost less than a new boiler plus a hydro-air air handler.
Installation Requirements
To run a hydro-air system, you’ll need these components already installed:
- A sufficiently large gas line to supply the boiler
- An electrical supply to power the boiler’s ignition and controls
- Proper venting to the outdoors
- A floor drain or condensate pump, for condensing boilers
Discuss your home’s readiness for hydro-air heating with a qualified HVAC professional. They can tell you more about what preliminary upgrades you may need, what would be required, and how much they would add to the total project cost.
Cost Considerations
If you’re building a new home, a hydro-air system with a conventional air conditioner can cost less than radiant flooring and ductless air conditioning together. For existing homes, however, the cost-effectiveness of installing a hydro-air system depends on what new infrastructure is needed.
Consider both upfront costs and long-term energy savings if you’re planning a hydro-air system. The upfront costs may seem steep, but you may be able to recoup them in time if the system would lower your power bill.
Home Size and Efficiency
Hydro-air systems are particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized homes, especially if they have efficient weatherization features like tight air-sealing and insulation. In large and drafty homes, they may not provide enough warmth to be as effective.
