Hydronic Heating - Any experts?

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Off of what turned into a two-month trip to Europe, I arrived back determined to install under-floor, wood-fired hydro-heat.
My problem is that I cannot seem to find a trustworthy (i.e been in operation for more than a week) website/company to deal with.
All sing the benefits of the system (I don't need convincing), but none show any images of product or installations or give any idea of cost.
All seems a little shifty to me - like Al siding in the '70s.
If anyone out there has experience good or bad with any company I'd love to know - its getting cooooold now!

PS - Apart from maybe Andromeda the Northern hem. hasn't a patch on our skies!

[omegacrux]

Peter
The hot house I work in uses that method of heating , it uses sawdust byproduct it cut the heating cost dramatically
But I don't think you need one that big ! Unless your house is 100m x 100m
I'll find the name of the company tomorrow at work and post here

David

[omegacrux]

I'm no expert
Just let you know

David

[Tinderboxsky]

Peter,

I am not surprised you are having difficulty finding anyone with much experience in hydronic heating. It is relatively new industry in Australia. Dare I say Tasmania is the best market in Australia, although a little small, but even here it is difficult to find good experienced operators. It is probably no coincidence that David and myself are the only ones to respond to your request so far. I am sure David will know of many home made and semi professional systems running off wood fired boilers, slow combustion heater or even wood fuel stoves. i know of quite a few - they are not that uncommon down here.

I had a Solar Water Wise designed and supplied solar hot water system installed last year. The plumber who installed the system specialises in hydronic heating and solar solutions. His name is is Zlatko Paksec and his simple web site is at www.hydrosol.com.au (http://www.hydrosol.com.au). He was excellent. When talking to him about his interest and specialisation, he mentioned that he had virtually no competition in Hobart.
So, whilst this does not help you directly I guess the message is that the more careful and patient searching you can do in this emerging area the better your chances of finding the right supplier and installer.

Cheers
Steve.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Thanks Dave and Steve.
I'd forgotten how efficient both in terms of cost and material that Europen heating systems can be. I suppose if you freeze 6 months of the year it pays to be on your toes.
I'd order the gubbinzes from there, but the costs would be prohibative.

Mind you, I've got it slack here.
Growing up in Canada, we lived in the middle of a forest clearing and fought with beavers to chew our own firewood etc. etc. ....

[omegacrux]

steamsystems.com.au
Give em a try but I think they might be industrial only

Dave

[Colin_Fraser]

Hello Peter

I worked on a project on an existing heritage building in Ballarat about 10 years ago and the builder installed underfloor hydronic heating. I assisted him with the electrical connections.
So it's been around a while.
A quick search on the internet revealed quite a number of companies who either install them or supply material for the home handyman.
Have a look at Gippsland Heating and Cooling website. Good info there.