Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 May 24, 2015 6:11 pm Hey All, Anyone have any thoughts or experience with the merits of using Hydronic radiators with a wood fire boiler instead of a hot air transfer kit? We had a small house (120 mt3 living) that had an awesome little fire in the lounge. Trouble was we used to cook in the lounge. I installed an air transfer kit ( ducting and inline fan) to the rear of the house only one outlet. This worked really well and had a nice even temp throughout. We are building a new place and will most likely put reverse cycle ducted in. However we love fires and have 10 acres and always have wood to burn. I’m thinking of installing a fire that has a boiler, 8.5 Kw to do all the rooms I want or 4.5Kw for just the bedrooms. We are in Adelaide and as yet I’m not too sure if there are any supplies here. I read the other thread regarding these systems and checked out Pivot stone and Wignells in Vic and they look like the goods. I’m leaning towards installing the pipes myself during the build and completing after. At least if the pipes are in the walls and cheaper more efficient boilers become available then the install would be easy. It seems Australia is still dragging the chain on what is available for a reasonable price. The parts alone for 3 bedrooms come to around $1800 without the pump and tank so is already looking cost prohibitive and that’s with me installing it. It is tempting to just go back to a transfer kit to the 3 rooms instead. This should be done for under $1000. Any input much welcomed, Cheers. Our Build Here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74037&p=1255246#p1255246 Re: Wood fired Hydronic radiators vs hot air transfer kit? 2May 24, 2015 6:29 pm iF you are on acreage as you say or can get a ready supply of wood for nix or next to it then the wood fired would be the way to go. One of the things I love about a wood fire is that you end up with that smoky smell through the house - not everybodys cup of tea but I think that is a bonus. It sort of states "yes, we are in the country and this is what it smells like". And the other thing of course is that any way you can distribute that heat through the house is a winner. Stewie Re: Wood fired Hydronic radiators vs hot air transfer kit? 3May 24, 2015 6:38 pm Stewie D iF you are on acreage as you say or can get a ready supply of wood for nix or next to it then the wood fired would be the way to go. One of the things I love about a wood fire is that you end up with that smoky smell through the house - not everybodys cup of tea but I think that is a bonus. It sort of states "yes, we are in the country and this is what it smells like". And the other thing of course is that any way you can distribute that heat through the house is a winner. Stewie Yep I'm with you on that. We will be putting the fire in any way. The question is to put the radiators in with a boiler fire or put an air transfer kit in with a non boiler fire. Our Build Here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74037&p=1255246#p1255246 Re: Wood fired Hydronic radiators vs hot air transfer kit? 4May 27, 2015 7:40 am We have a wood stove with Hydronic radiators on our acreage and it is the best thing ever. If you do it and are prepared to cut the timber I would do that any day over an air transfer kit. Air transfer kit is the same as ducted heating. Radiators are far more efficient and will radiate heat to heat object thus eliminating cold spots in the room. Remember, air transfer kits will be blowing from the ceiling so your pushing hot air from the top of one room to the top of another...My feet get cold at ground level ! Re: Wood fired Hydronic radiators vs hot air transfer kit? 5May 27, 2015 4:43 pm Crazyk We have a wood stove with Hydronic radiators on our acreage and it is the best thing ever. If you do it and are prepared to cut the timber I would do that any day over an air transfer kit. Air transfer kit is the same as ducted heating. Radiators are far more efficient and will radiate heat to heat object thus eliminating cold spots in the room. Remember, air transfer kits will be blowing from the ceiling so your pushing hot air from the top of one room to the top of another...My feet get cold at ground level ! Yeah I'm starting to think this is the way forward. Having a look around there are some really efficient fires with high capacity boilers built in. Your right trying to blow hot air down doesn't make sense. Our Build Here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=74037&p=1255246#p1255246 Currently renovating, and our main lounge is 5m x 10m, with a cathedral roof peaking at 6.5m high. Currently have tiles on concrete slab. Room is very hard to heat. 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