When building or renovating a home, heating is often an afterthought. Many homeowners go with the cheapest option, only to regret it later when energy bills skyrocket or the system fails to heat the home properly.
That’s exactly what happened to the Miller family—until they decided to invest in a properly designed hydronic floor heating system.
In this case study, we’ll walk you through:
✔ The heating mistakes they almost made.
✔ How proper system design saved them thousands.
✔ What their home heating costs look like today.
By the end, you’ll see why choosing the right heating system from the start makes all the difference.
The Millers’ Problem: High Running Costs & Inconsistent Heating
When John and Sarah Miller (name changed for privacy reasons) started building their 300m² dream home in Perth, they assumed ducted reverse-cycle heating was their best option.
Their builder’s HVAC contractor quoted them $21,000 for a ducted system, promising it would be “efficient and powerful enough for the whole home.”
But then they started talking to friends who had similar systems, and they kept hearing the same complaints:
🚨 Massive power bills in winter – One friend was paying over $500 per month just to keep their home warm.
🚨 Uneven heating – Some rooms were too hot, while others stayed cold.
🚨 Noisy operation – The system turned on and off constantly, and the fan noise was annoying.
🚨 Dust and dry air – They didn’t like the idea of air being blown around the house all the time.
💡 At this point, John and Sarah decided to explore other options.
Why They Chose Hydronic Floor Heating Instead
The Millers reached out to Euroheat Australia to see if hydronic floor heating was a better alternative. After a consultation, they discovered that:
✅ Hydronic heating provides even warmth throughout the home, with no hot or cold spots.
✅ It costs far less to run than ducted systems—especially with a heat pump.
✅ There’s no noise, no dust, and no air blowing around.
✅ The system is future-proof and can work with solar power to cut costs even further.
🚀 They decided to go ahead with a hydronic system powered by a high-efficiency heat pump.
The Result: A Warmer, More Comfortable Home & Huge Savings
After their first winter with floor heating, the Millers were amazed at how comfortable their home felt—and even more impressed by how little it cost to run.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of what their energy costs could have been with ducted heating vs. what they actually pay with hydronic floor heating:
| Heating System | Monthly Running Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted Reverse-Cycle Heating | $500 – $600 | $6,000 – $7,200 |
| Hydronic Floor Heating (Heat Pump) | $100 – $150 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
💰 Annual savings: $3,500 – $5,000 per year
🚀 Over 10 years, that’s up to $50,000 saved on energy bills.
Why Their System Costs So Little to Run
The Millers’ heating system is so cost-effective because of three key factors:
1. High-Efficiency Heat Pump
Their heat pump is 400% efficient, meaning for every 1kW of electricity used, it produces 4kW of heating. This is why their energy use is so much lower compared to ducted systems.
2. Proper Insulation
We installed 50mm under-slab insulation to prevent heat loss into the ground, meaning more of the warmth stays inside their home.
3. Smart Zoning
Their system is divided into 3 heating zones:
✔ Living areas stay warm during the day.
✔ Bedrooms warm up in the evening.
✔ Bathrooms are pre-heated in the morning for comfort.
💡 This zoning ensures they only heat the rooms they’re using, cutting energy costs even further.
What the Millers Say About Their Heating System
“We were originally going to install ducted heating because we didn’t know any better. We’re so glad we looked into floor heating instead. Our home is always warm, but our bills are low. The difference in comfort is huge—no air blowing, no dust, just perfect warmth everywhere. I can’t believe more people don’t know about this!”
— Sarah Miller, Perth
Final Thoughts – Why Proper Heating Design Matters
Many homeowners assume all heating systems work the same—but this case study proves that a well-designed hydronic floor heating system can save you thousands every year.
💡 The biggest mistakes people make?
🚫 Choosing ducted heating without considering long-term costs.
🚫 Installing cheap floor heating with no insulation, leading to high running costs.
🚫 Not using zoning, so they heat rooms they don’t need to.
Thinking About Floor Heating for Your Home?
If you’re building or renovating, now is the best time to plan your heating system properly—so you can:
✔ Avoid high energy bills.
✔ Get consistent, even warmth in every room.
✔ Enjoy a quiet, efficient, and future-proof system.
📞 Want to know how much you could save? Contact Euroheat Australia today for a free consultation and custom heating design.
