Best heating option?

[snichols]

Hi all,

We are about to renovate. The house currently has an old oil heater which we want to replace. I imagine gas ducted heating would be expensive to install, so just thinking about other options.

I know those electric panels are super expensive to run, so don’t want to go down that path. I like the look of some of the gas fireplace units but they are very expensive. I’ve also had people say that a split-system is now cheaper to run, as the gas price keeps going up. Getting confused now! Any help most welcome.

[Kermit]

Where do you live? We're in Melbourne and installed a couple of Jetmaster units when we renovated about eight years ago. They are certainly not a cheap option to buy, and like any gas appliance, regular servicing is recommended. But they are relatively cheap to run, look fantastic and it’s a lovely heat. People have even mistaken them for a real fire, particularly as we installed one of the units in a crazypaved fireplace which looks great. They are the only heating we have in the house and we would do the same thing again. We particularly like having the main unit in the living area on a timer so it automatically comes in before we get up in the morning and again in the late afternoon before we get home. 

[snichols]

Thanks, I'm in Melbourne too.

We're also going to look at hydronic heating. It seems to take up a lot of wall space though. At least it's hot know so we've got plenty of time to look!

[JohnL2120]

I use reverse cycle and that works great. cools in summer too. In your case you could consider a direct replacement for your oil heater with a gas heater.

[Jason]

Thanks for joining the discussion @JohnL2120. I'm sure this topic will be increasingly popular as the colder weather arrives.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to Workshop. Thank you for joining the community. I hope you find the site to be informative, inspirational and enjoyable.

Jason

[Joker]

I know plenty of people like ducted but I don't like the dust they tend to blow around. I would also prefer something that you can stand in front of when you get cold. 

[JohnL2120]

Does anyone know anything about Hydronic heating?
Jason, Do Bunnings stock anything useful re Hydronic heating?
Cheers.

[Kermit]

 @JohnL2120

Hydronic is a lovely heat and very efficient. You can zone your house so you don't have to heat the whole house when its on. Most systems use gas boilers and are reasonably affordable to run. Unlike many other heating options there's no fans blowing air and dust around so they are great for asthma and allergy sufferers and make no noise. It's a great option if you have the wall space in your house (or are building new and can do in-slab) and can afford the significant installation cost. Probably the only other significant weakness is they don't provide "instant" heat and obviously can't cool your place as well like some reverse systems can. 

You would need to get a heating specialist in for a quote and to discuss suitability at your house. Bunnings don't offer any hydronic products. 

[akby18]

I am also interested in installing hydronic heating as part of a major renovation. Does anyone know if you can install in-slab hydronic heating and put timber floorboards on top? 

I'd prefer to do in-slab rather than panels, but much prefer the look and feel of timber floors over something like polished concrete or carpet. 

[Jason]

Thanks for joining in the discussion @akby18. I trust that our community members will have some thoughts for you about hydronic heating, as well as help and inspiration for other projects in the future. Feel free to post whenever you need advice. 

Jason