No More Radiators! Introduction to Hydronic Wall Heating Systems

With rising energy costs and environmental awareness, homeowners, investors and contractors alike are seeking alternatives to conventional heating solutions. Hydronic surface heating has emerged as a game-changer in this regard, offering improved energy efficiency, comfort and design flexibility. In this article, we explore prefabricated hydronic wall heating solutions and their advantages for fast-paced, cost-efficient construction projects, as well as smaller-scale renovations and building upgrades.

_{Saving Space and Reducing Bills}

In buildings, a heating system can easily become the most taxing appliance due to high energy consumption and/or CO₂ emissions. With energy prices on the rise, conventional heating solutions now put a heavy burden on homeowners' wallets, contributing to hefty bills. 

Unsurprisingly, hydronic surface heating has been gaining popularity as a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative. Surface heating systems ensure even heat distribution across the room without unpleasant cold or hot spots and improve overall air quality by eliminating forced air circulation. 

Hydronic systems are also well compatible with renewable energy sources and help increase property value, making it more attractive for buyers, investors and tenants. 

_{Hydronic Wall or Underfloor Heating?}

While underfloor heating systems are the most common choice in new builds, wall heating often offers a quicker and more economical solution for increasing comfort levels and energy efficiency in renovation projects. 

Wall heating also eliminates the need for radiators or other bulky appliances, offering more flexibility in how to arrange the space. If needed, hydronic wall systems can be used for both heating and cooling, ensuring a pleasant indoor climate all year long.

_{Prefabricated Wall Heating Changes the Pace}

To offer customers maximum installation flexibility and efficiency, Pipelife offers prefabricated wall heating systems. The preassembled gypsum panels are factory-made, taking into account each project's specifications, such as required heating capacity and design plans. 

Once supplied, the panels just need to be fixed onto the wall and plastered over, creating a sleek, aesthetic look. A thin, dotted line marks the trace of the pipe running in the panel, preventing the risk of accidentally damaging the pipes during the installation.

_{What's Inside a Wall Heating Panel?} 

A radiant wall heating panel is a 15-mm thick gypsum sheet with heating pipes installed under one pane. The spacing between the pipes is 75 mm, ensuring even heat distribution across the whole surface.

During preassembly, a 10-mm pipe is laid in the grooves of the panel and covered by a cavity-filling material for better heat conduction. To simplify mounting the panel onto the wall, the inner side is coated with flexible adhesive and reinforced with glass mesh. At the time of installation, this side is affixed to the wall leaving only the smooth gypsum surface visible.

Pipelife's wall heating panels are typically made of non-impregnated gypsum boards, but reinforced and impregnated boards can be supplied on request.

_{Prefabricated Heating Systems for Training Rooms}

Clima Komfort is among Poland's leading contractors, specializing in HVAC and plumbing. Founded 25 years ago, the company is known for its ability to balance sustainability, cost efficiency and high comfort levels, even under the most complex scenarios. 

Last year, the company wanted to refurbish several demonstration rooms, showcasing to its customers the advantages of hydronic systems and their compatibility with a heat pump as an energy source. After learning about Pipelife's prefabricated wall panels, Clima Komfort selected them as the optimal solution for their purpose.

Three demo rooms and one conference room were equipped with panels, totaling 80 m2-area and utilizing 20 wall panels. The entire renovation spanned roughly three months, and the installation was carried out by the customer. 

"We are highly satisfied with both the ease of installation and the overall quality of Pipelife's prefabricated wall panels,” says Clima Komfort representative Waldemar Witkowiak. “The energy savings are evident, so are the increased comfort levels, and we are proud to offer Pipelife's hydronic systems to our customers."