- One disadvantage of the hydronic system is that they provide heat only. Air conditioning has to be installed as a separate system. The cost of two systems makes the use of hydronics expensive. Hydronic systems remain popular in northern climates where air conditioning is not a necessity, or as the U.S. Department of Energy calls them, "heating-dominated climates." A recent method to circumvent this disadvantage involves installing a geothermal system that uses underground pipes to both heat and cool the water. This solves the problem, but geothermal systems are expensive.
- Hydronic systems do not have a duct system like a heat pump. A duct system gives the homeowner the ability to filter the air circulating in the home. In addition, hydronic systems do not provide a means to bring fresh air inside. The end result can be poor indoor-air quality. One remedy is to add an air handler to circulate the air.
- A modern use of hydronics is the radiant floor heating system. Hot water is pumped into pipes laid beneath the floor. The hot water heats the flooring and sends heat into the room. Each room can have its own separate tubing and controls that allow unused rooms to remain unheated. The disadvantage is the time it takes to activate the system; rooms cannot be quickly heated.
- Installation of a radiant heating system using hydronics requires a substantial upfront investment. Even though the system is energy-efficient, it requires an initial investment that is more than most heating systems. Costs of installation vary and depend on the size of each room, the type of flooring used and the type of tubing installed.
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