Getting a Pulse on the High-Efficiency Hydronics Market

We can learn a great deal from market research and consumer trend studies, but here are a couple of certainties when it comes to homeowners and HVAC: They want to spend as little money as possible for their energy costs, they want efficiency and they want their systems to work seamlessly. That's easy. It gets a little more complicated when homeowners try to figure out the right mix of high-efficiency equipment that fits their budgets and the way they live their lives.

So what are some of the trends in high-efficiency HVAC hydronic products and systems? We asked three manufacturers to give us their take on this growing market.

Uponor heats up the radiant market

One of the biggest trends in HVACR is using renewable energy, such as geothermal and solar, to efficiently heat a home. This is particularly true as energy costs continue to climb and a mix of federal and local tax incentives and rebates on renewable systems make them more affordable to a greater number of consumers. Radiant heating can play a big part in enabling a geothermal or solar system to run more efficiently and maximize energy savings.

“For example, high-efficiency geothermal heat pumps operate more efficiently at lower water temperatures,” says Mark Hudoba, Uponor's senior product manager for heating and cooling. Because radiant floor heating systems require lower water temperatures than radiators or forced-air systems, the radiant floor heating system enables the heat pump to operate more efficiently.

Integrating radiant heating with these renewable systems is becoming increasingly popular as a new wave of radiant controls makes it very easy for homeowners to create a comfortable and even temperature exactly where they want it. These controls also increase system efficiency by integrating the heating, cooling, ventilation and humidification systems. One problem that integrated controls solve is simultaneous heating and cooling that can occur when one control system is used for heating and another control is used for cooling.

Uponor's ClimateControl™ Network System is one of the leading radiant controls on the market today. This is a “smart” system that routinely performs two-way communications throughout the network — it can send as well as receive information. Homeowners can also control the system remotely through Internet access, and there's an optional notification system that permits a service contractor to monitor and manage the network online and troubleshoot remotely. Of course, the homeowner can also control the temperature the old-fashioned way via the slim, flush-mount wall thermostat.

Hudoba also says products like Uponor's new Radiant Ready 30E™ and Fast Trak™ are simplified radiant system installation options, which are particularly attractive options for homeowners who want to focus on renovation and remodeling. Hudoba notes that the U.S. new construction market has declined by nearly 75 percent over the past five years, while the retrofit market has remained relatively strong, making these types of products ideal for homeowners who want an easy and cost-effective way to improve the comfort and heating in their homes. While the installation of a radiant floor heating system for a 1,000-square-foot basement may take up to a week, with Radiant Ready 30E and Fast Trak, installations can typically take less than a day.