If you’ve ever shivered through a WA winter, you know how important good home heating is. But if you’ve ever opened a power bill after using ducted heating or reverse-cycle air conditioning, you also know how expensive it can be to stay warm.
The good news? Hydronic floor heating is one of the cheapest heating systems to run—often costing 50–75% less than other heating options.
But how is that possible? How can something that runs all day, keeping your home warm 24/7, actually cost less than heating systems that only turn on when needed?
Let’s break down the science behind floor heating, why it’s so energy efficient, and how it can help slash your energy bills—while keeping your home perfectly warm all winter.
Why Floor Heating Uses Less Energy Than Other Systems
Most heating systems work by blasting hot air into a room, either through ducted vents or reverse-cycle air conditioning. But heating air isn’t very efficient.
❌ Hot air rises, meaning most of the heat sits near the ceiling—where you don’t need it.
❌ Ducted systems lose heat through ductwork, wasting energy.
❌ Blown air creates temperature fluctuations, meaning the system turns on and off constantly.
🚨 The result? These systems use a lot more energy to keep a home warm than necessary.
How Floor Heating Works Differently (and More Efficiently)
Hydronic floor heating warms your home from the ground up. Instead of heating air, it gently warms the floor, which then radiates heat into the room evenly.
✅ Heat stays where you need it—at the floor level, not the ceiling.
✅ No wasted energy from ductwork or air leaks.
✅ A consistent temperature is maintained, so the system doesn’t have to keep turning on and off.
This means you get the same level of warmth while using much less energy—which translates into lower power bills every month.
How Much Can You Save with Floor Heating?
Let’s compare the running costs of different heating systems for an average WA home (200m²), running for 5 hours per day in winter.
| Heating System | Daily Running Cost | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducted Reverse-Cycle AC | $5 – $7 | $150 – $210 | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| Gas Ducted Heating | $6 – $8 | $180 – $240 | $2,000 – $2,900 |
| Electric Floor Heating | $10+ | $300+ | $3,500+ |
| Hydronic Floor Heating (Heat Pump) | $1 – $2 | $30 – $60 | $400 – $700 |
| Hydronic Floor Heating (Gas Boiler) | $3 – $5 | $90 – $150 | $1,000 – $1,800 |
💰 The Bottom Line: If you switch from reverse-cycle ducted heating to hydronic floor heating with a heat pump, you could cut your heating bills by up to 75%.
Why Is Hydronic Floor Heating So Efficient?
1. Water Transfers Heat More Effectively Than Air
Water is 4 times more efficient than air at transferring heat. This means hydronic heating can deliver the same level of warmth using much less energy.
2. Lower Operating Temperatures
- Hydronic floor heating runs at 35–45°C (compared to ducted systems, which heat air to 55–70°C).
- Lower temperature = less energy required.
3. No Heat Loss from Ductwork
- Ducted heating can lose up to 30% of its heat through duct leaks.
- Hydronic heating has no ducts, meaning 100% of the heat is delivered to your home.
4. Heat Stays in the Home Longer
- Air heating cools down quickly—once the system turns off, rooms get cold fast.
- Floor heating stores heat in the slab, meaning warmth stays even after the system turns off.
🚨 The result? Floor heating runs less often than ducted systems, using less energy to keep your home warm.
Maximizing Your Savings – How to Run Floor Heating for the Lowest Cost
Floor heating is already one of the cheapest heating options, but you can reduce your energy bills even further with a few simple strategies.
1. Use a Heat Pump Instead of Gas
A heat pump is 3–5 times more efficient than a gas boiler. If you’re choosing a heat source, a heat pump will give you the lowest running costs—especially in WA’s mild winters.
2. Combine Floor Heating with Solar Panels
If you have solar panels, you can run your heat pump for free during the day, storing heat in the slab to keep your home warm all night.
3. Use Zoning to Avoid Heating Unused Rooms
With zoned heating, you can:
✔ Keep bathrooms and living areas warm during the day.
✔ Turn down heating in bedrooms until evening.
✔ Avoid heating rooms you don’t use often.
4. Set the Right Temperature (and Leave It!)
Instead of turning heating on and off, set a consistent temperature of 21–23°C for living areas and 18–20°C for bedrooms. This prevents the system from working harder than necessary.
Is Floor Heating Worth It? The Long-Term Savings Speak for Themselves
Yes, hydronic floor heating costs more to install than a ducted system. But here’s the bigger picture:
| System | Installation Cost | 10-Year Running Cost | Total Cost Over 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydronic Floor Heating (Heat Pump) | $40,000 – $50,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 | $44,000 – $57,000 |
| Ducted Reverse-Cycle Heating | $20,000 – $25,000 | $18,000 – $25,000 | $38,000 – $50,000 |
| Gas Ducted Heating | $15,000 – $20,000 | $20,000 – $30,000 | $35,000 – $50,000 |
🚨 The mistake many people make? Looking only at installation cost—not the cost of heating over time.
✅ By year 10, hydronic heating with a heat pump will have paid for itself in savings.
✅ By year 20, homeowners with ducted heating will have spent thousands more.
If you’re building a new home or planning a long-term investment, hydronic floor heating is the clear winner for lower energy bills and better comfort.
Final Thoughts – The Smartest Way to Heat Your Home
Hydronic floor heating isn’t just about comfort—it’s about cost savings. While it costs more upfront, it saves you thousands over time, making it the best long-term investment for heating your home.
Why Homeowners Choose Floor Heating Over Ducted Systems:
✔ 50–75% lower running costs than ducted heating.
✔ Heat stays where you need it, not wasted at the ceiling.
✔ No air movement = no dust, no dryness, no noise.
✔ Works perfectly with solar panels for even bigger savings.
If you want a warm, energy-efficient home without huge power bills, floor heating is the way to go.
💬 Want to know how much you could save? Contact Euroheat Australia today for a custom heating design and cost estimate.
📞 Call now or request a quote online!
