By Anne Fonda
A residential hydronic heating and cooling system heats or cools a space using water. There are multiple mechanical systems that can provide the energy: air to water heat pumps (AWHPs), boilers, and geothermal systems.
The water is heated or cooled and then sent into a radiator system or radiant flooring tubes to heat or cool your home. It is also sometimes called a radiant heating and cooling (RHC) system.
Unlike a traditional hydronic heating system such as a boiler, a hydronic heat pump system can heat your home in the winter like a boiler, but it can also cool your home in the summer. This makes it a great alternative to boiler replacement. It allows you to remove unsightly window AC units or portable air conditioners.
“If you love the gentle, dust-free warmth of radiator or underfloor heating, you don't have to give it up to get air conditioning. A hydronic heat pump takes the best parts of a classic boiler system—steady, silent comfort—and modernizes it to deliver crisp, dehumidified cooling through quiet indoor fan coils. It’s the ultimate comfort upgrade that your family will appreciate in January and July alike.”
- Jennie Bergman, Portfolio Leader, Residential Package Units & Light Commercial Unitary
A hydronic heating and cooling system is highly energy efficient and can also be incorporated into your new home construction, providing both radiant floor heating and radiant cooling.
While relatively new to U.S. homeowners, hydronic heating and cooling is more common in European homes as well as U.S. commercial buildings. Studies show that RHC systems enhance comfort and energy efficiency in sustainable buildings. Most research has been done on commercial applications, but it is expected that residential applications will see similar benefits.
The table below gives you a rough comparison.
| Heating System | What You Put In | What You Get Out | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Boiler (Oil or Gas) | $1.00 of fuel | 70¢ to 80¢ | Up to 30¢ escapes straight out of the exhaust pipe as smoke and waste gas. |
| High-Efficiency Modern Boiler | $1.00 of fuel | 90¢ to 95¢ of heat | Squeezes almost all the heat out of the fuel, but still loses a small amount up the chimney. |
| Air to Water Heat Pump | $1.00 of electricity | $3.00 to $4.00 of heat | Uses that $1.00 of power like a delivery truck to gather $3.00+ worth of free renewable warmth from the outdoor air. |
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Jennie Bergman, Portfolio Leader, Residential Package Units & Light Commercial Unitary
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