Freezing at home? The heating that keeps you warm and adds value to your property
In a country where climate extremes are becoming the new normal, and energy efficiency is more important than ever, Australian homeowners are faced with an increasing number of heating options from affordable choices such as split systems and wood burners to smarter, more sustainable options.
But when it comes to heating that will not only keep you warm, but add value to your home, most experts say there are a couple of heating choices you can't go past.
Topping the list is electric hydronic heating which is quickly emerging as the gold standard when it comes to heating your home in Australia, particularly in cooler climates, such as Victoria, Tasmania and Canberra and regional NSW.
Simon Clark, president of the Sustainable Builders Alliance and the founder and director of Sustainable Homes Melbourne says hydronic heating is the "bees' knees" when it comes to heating your home, particular for those with older, "leaky" homes.
By leaky, he means drafty homes with poorly sealed windows and doors, gaps in flooring, and inadequate insulation, which are more common in older homes.
"Hydronic heating is a lovely ambient heat that just stays in the home and doesn't blow through and out of the home like a lot of the breezier alternatives," Mr Clark says.
While you can get both gas and electric hydronic heating, Mr Clark says an increasing number of home buyers are now specifically looking for no-gas homes.
Goodbye to gas
He says renovating or building a home with electric heating, especially if it can be powered by solar panels can add enormous value to a home.
"One of the biggest objectives for most of our clients we work with now, whether it's a renovation of an old home or a new home, is to have no gas," Mr Clark says.
The latest electric hydronic heating can be effectively run using solar power, offering a sustainable and efficient way to heat homes.
By pairing solar panels with a heat pump or electric boiler, the system can utilise solar energy to heat water, which is then circulated through pipes for heating the space, either through underfloor heating or radiator panels.
Mr Clarke says while electric hydronic heating is 60 to 80 per cent more costly to install than gas, if it is powered by solar panels, it ends up being far cheaper, and more sustainable in the long run.
Peter Stephens from real estate agent Nelson Alexander in Carlton North says installing a good hydronic heating system will add value to any home located in a cooler climate.
"Home buyers, particularly down here in Melbourne, love hydronic heating, and we are finding more and more buyers carefully considering the energy efficiency of a home when they are buying," he says.
"So, they are not just looking at the energy efficiency of the heating but the passive orientation of the entire home, including things like double-glazed windows and the thermal quality of the home," he says.
Hot property: heating and selling price
Mario Sanfrancesco from Blackshaw Manuka says in Canberra where it is mandatory to have an energy rating on every property that goes to market, choosing the right heating can have a significant impact on the selling price.
"In Canberra, heating is a very important consideration for home buyers, given how grey and cold it can be."
"Not only that, a good energy rating can really add to the value of your home, so it really is important to think through your heating options, in terms of costs, efficiency and sustainability," Mr Sanfrancesco says.
He says the heating choices that add the most value to homes in Canberra include ducted heating systems and hydronic heating.
"Ducted heating definitely adds value to a home compared to say a split system, while some of the higher-end builds now have hydronic in-floor slab heating which really boosts the price of a home," he says.
Mr Sanfrancesco says while good ducted and hydronic heating will add value to a home in a cold-climate environment, it is just as important to ensure the home includes other energy efficiencies such as good insulation and double or triple glazing on the windows.
"You can have the best form of heating but if you're losing that heat through inefficiencies like lots of windows and hard surfaces than it can be counterproductive," he says.
Wood fires add ambience
While split systems are one of the most common and affordable heating options for Australian homes, they don't necessarily add great dollar value to a property, particularly for bigger homes or those located in cooler areas of Australia.
Meanwhile, experts agree open fireplaces and wood heaters do add value, mainly for the ambience and charm they add to a home.
And for those appealing to high-end home buyers, underfloor heating in bathrooms and ensuites can definitely boost the price of a home.
Mr Collins says electric hydronic heating is by far the best option for older homes dealing with drafts and poor insulation.
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Perth Now
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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Flood, fire, erosion: How do we protect ourselves against future disaster?
Once we were comforted by the sound of rain on a tin roof, today we hope the rain lasts just long enough to replenish the soils and water courses and doesn't become too heavy or last too long to cause another flood. Record-breaking floods have arrived with an unwelcome regularity in our region, starting in 2020, then again in 2021 and 2022 and now for centres like Taree, a record flood in May 2025. These flood events followed the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20, creating a pattern of natural disasters that appear to be increasing in frequency, taking an ever-growing financial and emotional toll on our communities and raising questions about building resiliency. The financial costs are staggering, with the Federal and NSW governments having spent $9.5 billion on disaster relief and recovery since the summer of 2019, and that does not include the funding for the D classification disaster relief package announced for Mid North Coast and Hunter farmers. 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But Mr Brockhoff said the most difficult message is, the last, the planning of retreat and voluntary relocation. "Those questions are hard. Public funds have to be made available for this option, and the community has to work out where they can relocate to, " he said. It has been done before - in 1916, the town of Clermont in Queensland was moved to higher ground after a devastating flood hit the community when 21 inches fell in a matter of hours in late December of that year. And more recently, also in Queensland, in the Lockyer Valley, after the January 2011 flood, the town of Grantham was relocated to higher ground. There are currently buy-backs underway in Lismore following the 2022 floods. Mr Brockhoff said the Institute would also continue to campaign for more accurate flood modelling and a national approach to flood adaptation planning. 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In June's State budget, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey set aside $4.2b in disaster relief across the forward estimates, a figure that is likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters. NSW Treasury has projected that the cost of natural disasters would reach $24b/year by 2070-71 due to climate change. Since the 2019-20 bushfires, disaster relief and recovery across the State has increased by more than 1,000 per cent compared to the six years prior to 2019-20. On top of that are the insurance claims estimated to be $200m for the May 2025 floods, based on 6000 claims, of which 80 per cent are for damaged homes. The Climate Change Authority has reported that millions of Australian homes are facing escalating risks from natural hazards, which are growing more intense due to climate change. Bushfires, cyclones and floods are currently costing Australian homeowners around $4 billion a year in cleanup and recovery costs. These costs are estimated to grow to about $8.7 billion a year by 2050. "Climate change is projected to wipe over $500 billion off the Australian property market by 2030," according to the Authority. The question for our communities is how best to build sustainable, safe communities in a changing climate? So what about solutions? The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the national body representing the planning profession, has been working on three basic messages, which they say are essential to build community resilience and reduce future risk. PIA is supported by the Insurance Council and is advocating for strengthening the capacity of all tiers of Government to plan, invest and act by: "Planning is at the heart of building more resilient communities," PIA CEO Matt Collins said. "With clear strategies, good data and targeted investment, we can deliver better-located housing and reduce future risk. 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But Mr Brockhoff said the most difficult message is, the last, the planning of retreat and voluntary relocation. "Those questions are hard. Public funds have to be made available for this option, and the community has to work out where they can relocate to, " he said. It has been done before - in 1916, the town of Clermont in Queensland was moved to higher ground after a devastating flood hit the community when 21 inches fell in a matter of hours in late December of that year. And more recently, also in Queensland, in the Lockyer Valley, after the January 2011 flood, the town of Grantham was relocated to higher ground. There are currently buy-backs underway in Lismore following the 2022 floods. Mr Brockhoff said the Institute would also continue to campaign for more accurate flood modelling and a national approach to flood adaptation planning. Once we were comforted by the sound of rain on a tin roof, today we hope the rain lasts just long enough to replenish the soils and water courses and doesn't become too heavy or last too long to cause another flood. Record-breaking floods have arrived with an unwelcome regularity in our region, starting in 2020, then again in 2021 and 2022 and now for centres like Taree, a record flood in May 2025. These flood events followed the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20, creating a pattern of natural disasters that appear to be increasing in frequency, taking an ever-growing financial and emotional toll on our communities and raising questions about building resiliency. The financial costs are staggering, with the Federal and NSW governments having spent $9.5 billion on disaster relief and recovery since the summer of 2019, and that does not include the funding for the D classification disaster relief package announced for Mid North Coast and Hunter farmers. In June's State budget, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey set aside $4.2b in disaster relief across the forward estimates, a figure that is likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters. NSW Treasury has projected that the cost of natural disasters would reach $24b/year by 2070-71 due to climate change. Since the 2019-20 bushfires, disaster relief and recovery across the State has increased by more than 1,000 per cent compared to the six years prior to 2019-20. On top of that are the insurance claims estimated to be $200m for the May 2025 floods, based on 6000 claims, of which 80 per cent are for damaged homes. The Climate Change Authority has reported that millions of Australian homes are facing escalating risks from natural hazards, which are growing more intense due to climate change. Bushfires, cyclones and floods are currently costing Australian homeowners around $4 billion a year in cleanup and recovery costs. These costs are estimated to grow to about $8.7 billion a year by 2050. "Climate change is projected to wipe over $500 billion off the Australian property market by 2030," according to the Authority. The question for our communities is how best to build sustainable, safe communities in a changing climate? So what about solutions? The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the national body representing the planning profession, has been working on three basic messages, which they say are essential to build community resilience and reduce future risk. PIA is supported by the Insurance Council and is advocating for strengthening the capacity of all tiers of Government to plan, invest and act by: "Planning is at the heart of building more resilient communities," PIA CEO Matt Collins said. "With clear strategies, good data and targeted investment, we can deliver better-located housing and reduce future risk. "Where we live-and how we plan for it-will determine how well we cope with the challenges of a changing climate. We need to act now." The Institute's national policy director, John Brockhoff, said that to achieve the best planning outcomes, we have to listen to communities, assess their appetite for risk and have them discuss planning outcomes in collaboration with emergency services like the SES and RFS. "We should empower communities to be involved in the planning processes," he said. On the PIA's first message - no new homes in harm's way. Such a policy may require state government legislation so that council planning decisions are not overturned in court. Changes to building standards have already been adopted in flood-prone areas like Lismore and Brisbane, especially on recovery work in homes. And it is also being adopted when it comes to rebuilding damaged infrastructure, such as stronger higher bridges. But Mr Brockhoff said the most difficult message is, the last, the planning of retreat and voluntary relocation. "Those questions are hard. Public funds have to be made available for this option, and the community has to work out where they can relocate to, " he said. It has been done before - in 1916, the town of Clermont in Queensland was moved to higher ground after a devastating flood hit the community when 21 inches fell in a matter of hours in late December of that year. And more recently, also in Queensland, in the Lockyer Valley, after the January 2011 flood, the town of Grantham was relocated to higher ground. There are currently buy-backs underway in Lismore following the 2022 floods. Mr Brockhoff said the Institute would also continue to campaign for more accurate flood modelling and a national approach to flood adaptation planning. Once we were comforted by the sound of rain on a tin roof, today we hope the rain lasts just long enough to replenish the soils and water courses and doesn't become too heavy or last too long to cause another flood. Record-breaking floods have arrived with an unwelcome regularity in our region, starting in 2020, then again in 2021 and 2022 and now for centres like Taree, a record flood in May 2025. These flood events followed the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20, creating a pattern of natural disasters that appear to be increasing in frequency, taking an ever-growing financial and emotional toll on our communities and raising questions about building resiliency. The financial costs are staggering, with the Federal and NSW governments having spent $9.5 billion on disaster relief and recovery since the summer of 2019, and that does not include the funding for the D classification disaster relief package announced for Mid North Coast and Hunter farmers. In June's State budget, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey set aside $4.2b in disaster relief across the forward estimates, a figure that is likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters. NSW Treasury has projected that the cost of natural disasters would reach $24b/year by 2070-71 due to climate change. Since the 2019-20 bushfires, disaster relief and recovery across the State has increased by more than 1,000 per cent compared to the six years prior to 2019-20. On top of that are the insurance claims estimated to be $200m for the May 2025 floods, based on 6000 claims, of which 80 per cent are for damaged homes. The Climate Change Authority has reported that millions of Australian homes are facing escalating risks from natural hazards, which are growing more intense due to climate change. Bushfires, cyclones and floods are currently costing Australian homeowners around $4 billion a year in cleanup and recovery costs. These costs are estimated to grow to about $8.7 billion a year by 2050. "Climate change is projected to wipe over $500 billion off the Australian property market by 2030," according to the Authority. The question for our communities is how best to build sustainable, safe communities in a changing climate? So what about solutions? The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the national body representing the planning profession, has been working on three basic messages, which they say are essential to build community resilience and reduce future risk. PIA is supported by the Insurance Council and is advocating for strengthening the capacity of all tiers of Government to plan, invest and act by: "Planning is at the heart of building more resilient communities," PIA CEO Matt Collins said. "With clear strategies, good data and targeted investment, we can deliver better-located housing and reduce future risk. "Where we live-and how we plan for it-will determine how well we cope with the challenges of a changing climate. We need to act now." The Institute's national policy director, John Brockhoff, said that to achieve the best planning outcomes, we have to listen to communities, assess their appetite for risk and have them discuss planning outcomes in collaboration with emergency services like the SES and RFS. "We should empower communities to be involved in the planning processes," he said. On the PIA's first message - no new homes in harm's way. Such a policy may require state government legislation so that council planning decisions are not overturned in court. Changes to building standards have already been adopted in flood-prone areas like Lismore and Brisbane, especially on recovery work in homes. And it is also being adopted when it comes to rebuilding damaged infrastructure, such as stronger higher bridges. But Mr Brockhoff said the most difficult message is, the last, the planning of retreat and voluntary relocation. "Those questions are hard. Public funds have to be made available for this option, and the community has to work out where they can relocate to, " he said. It has been done before - in 1916, the town of Clermont in Queensland was moved to higher ground after a devastating flood hit the community when 21 inches fell in a matter of hours in late December of that year. And more recently, also in Queensland, in the Lockyer Valley, after the January 2011 flood, the town of Grantham was relocated to higher ground. There are currently buy-backs underway in Lismore following the 2022 floods. Mr Brockhoff said the Institute would also continue to campaign for more accurate flood modelling and a national approach to flood adaptation planning.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
WA news LIVE: More wild weather on the way for Perth
Latest posts Latest posts 9.30am More wild weather on the way for Perth The clean-up from yesterday's storm continues after the city was lashed by howling winds, more than 20,000 lightning strikes, and hail the size of golf balls. And the winter blast is not over yet, with further warnings in place today to avoid the coast. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a coastal hazard advice for beaches between Jurien Bay and Bunbury, advising there is a vigorous cold front moving across the South West this morning. 'Large and powerful surf conditions are possible, which may lead to coastal erosion and localised damage to coastal infrastructure between Bunbury and Jurien Bay,' it warned. Lancelin locals have reported the fierce weekend weather has already washed away 1.5 metres of coast, with the iconic lookout on the brink of collapse. The conditions are expected to ease by this afternoon. 9.30am Across the nation and around the world Here's what's making headlines today: Foreign Minister Penny Wong has committed a further $20 million to the Gaza humanitarian response after some 90,000 pro-Palestine protesters walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to demand an end to a worsening crisis in the Middle East. It takes Australia's total contribution to $130 million, and will support humanitarian organisations to provide food and medical supplies. Lynne McGranger has won the Gold Logie for the most popular personality on television, a result that seemed practically ordained from the moment she walked the red carpet mid-afternoon in Sydney in a gold-hued gown. The Australian sharemarket is expected to slide after Wall Street suffered its worst day since May after US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on US trading partners. Trump left trade penalties on Australian goods at the previously announced 10 per cent rate, and pushed back the start date to August 7, adding increasing uncertainty to the global trade picture.
