Heating, cooling and ventilation make up a significant percentage of the average commercial building’s energy costs—40 percent, as noted by a study from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This study also highlights that the average commercial building can save 38 percent on heating and cooling costs by investing in an energy-efficient HVAC system.
It’s this potential for cost savings that has led many commercial spaces to warm up to the idea of radiant heating and cooling systems, hydronic piping systems in particular.
Where Hydronic Piping Systems Save on Costs
Sixty years ago, the cost of electricity and fuel was a relatively minor expense for commercial buildings. But as these costs have increased, energy consumption has become a more vital consideration in the design of these spaces.
Based on their efficient nature, hydronic piping systems contribute to these energy savings. Whereas air-based systems circulate warm air throughout the space or remove excess humidity, hydronic pipes leverage the superior heat transfer qualities of water to efficiently warm people and objects from the floor up and absorb heat back into the floor. The change in the mean radiant temperature of the room allows hydronic piping systems to deliver optimal thermal comfort with the thermostat set a few degrees lower or higher, respectively.
Where cost savings also emerge is in the maintenance of hydronic piping. With no filters to swap out or ductwork to clean, hydronic systems eliminate some of the tedious and costly maintenance tasks that come with air-based systems. Repair costs are further minimized when the right precautions are taken in the installation of hydronic piping, from the quality of the selected materials to the security of the connections.
Reducing the Installation Costs of Hydronic Piping Systems
Hydronic piping systems come with their share of benefits in cost savings. But when it comes to their installation, these long-term benefits are sometimes hard to see. Instead, contractors are looking at the extensive time and labor costs typically associated with installation of traditional radiant systems.
Viega ProRadiant is changing all of that. Our versatile climate control systems are engineered to be user-friendly for installers, reducing labor and eliminating guesswork on the jobsite. Rather than taking days, radiant heating and cooling installations can be completed in hours, allowing you to accomplish more in your workday and expand your role in the market.
To see some of the projects where Viega ProRadiant has been used, click here.
