Hydronic central heating means using hot water as a means to warm your home. Water is heated using a specific heat source (in our case, either a Air-to-Water Heat Pump, Ground Source Heat Pump or a Diesel Boiler). The hot water then flows through a series of pipework and heats the home via radiators or underfloor heating (pipework underneath the concrete slab).

Hydronic central heating has a number of key benefits, some of which include; 1. Control. With a wood fire, temperature will fluctuate depending on the fuel burned. With central heating, you can set specific temperatures, at specific times to ensure your heating is exactly how you want it. The heating can be controlled remotely and zones controlled independently which reduces running costs. 2. Radiant heat. Hydronic underfloor heating doesn't heat the air like a standard electric heater or air-to-air heat pump. Instead, the hot water heats a thermal mass e.g. the radiator panel or concrete slab. This means the heat is stored and released, making it much more efficient and comfortable. 3. Safe and healthy. With a air-to-air heat pump, air is circulated around the home with potential for dust, pollen etc. to also be transferred. With hydronic heating the heating is all contained within pipework, no fans required. It is a great option for people with allergies.

Radiators can be retrofitted within an existing home, but as the pipework is installed behind the walls, some interior lining (gib etc.) will need to be removed and remedial building work required post-installation. The pipework for hydronic underfloor heating is installed within the concrete slab at the time of the pour, making it impossible to retrofit.

This is the million dollar question! All central heating systems vary significantly in cost to run depending on the way in which they are used and the other heat loss factors within the home (e.g. insulation, glazing, positioning). Once we understand all components of your build and heating design then we can give you a better idea of the running cost.

We'll ask you the right questions to establish what system we think is right for you and make recommendations based on that. It will come down to a few factors - how you want your heating to 'feel' e.g. radiant or intense, how often you want the heating to run, heat loss factors within your home, how you want to control your system and your budget. Once we've had a chat, we can let you know what system we think will meet your expectations the best. We might also be able give you a few options for upgrades and future proofing.

This is dependant upon the design of your heating system. Below we have given a general idea of how systems compare in price. It's always best to get a proper quotation according to your heating design before being swayed one way or another. Radiator Central Heating With Diesel Boiler: Installation Cost: High Running Cost: Moderate With Gas Boiler: Installation Cost: Low Running Cost: High Underfloor Central Heating With Diesel Boiler: Installation Cost: High Running Cost: Moderate With Air-To-Water Heat Pump Installation Cost: Moderate Running Cost: Low With Groundsource Heat Pump Installation Cost: Very High Running Cost: Very Low With Gas Boiler: Installation Cost: Low Running Cost: Very High

The heat source (diesel boiler or air-to-water heat pump) requires a yearly service to ensure it is running at optimum efficiency and to uphold the product warranty. We recommend getting this service prior to winter when it will be used most frequently. We provide each of our clients with a heating manual which details your systems maintenance requirements and basic troubleshooting.

Being environmentally friendly is a key awareness for us, while offering a balance of products to our clients. An Air-To-Water heat pump is a environmentally friendly heat source, using minimal electricity to generate hot water without burning any fuel. Obviously, diesel is a fossil fuel, however we choose to use the Firebird boiler which has a specific burner to work at a very high efficiency compared to a standard burner, so we are aiming to provide a product that is as environmentally friendly as it can be.

Yes, it is possible to future proof for underfloor central heating. This is a great idea if you think central heating will be an option at some point but not immediately, or maybe you want to live in the home before deciding how far you need to go. Underfloor pipework can be laid in the slab but not connected to a heat source. We can also allow to future proof for additional thermostats by running electrical cable within the walls.