--- title: "Hydronic Heat Pumps Melbourne, Air Source" date: 2023-05-07T20:28:00+10:00 author: Jayden Smith canonical_url: "https://sogeo.com.au/air-source-heat-pumps" section: Pages --- ![Stiebel Eltron R290 Hydronic Heat Pump]() # Hydronic Heat Pumps Melbourne, Air Source SóGeo designs and installs **hydronic heat pumps** for homes and commercial buildings across **Melbourne**. Quiet, efficient, and tailored to your project. ## What is an air source heat pump? An air source heat pump is a high-efficiency electric heating and cooling system that extracts thermal energy from the outdoor air. Rather than burning fuel to create heat, it moves heat from one place to another, which is why a well-designed unit delivers 3 to 4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it consumes. In a [hydronic configuration](/hydronic-heating-cooling), the heat pump heats water rather than air. That hot water then circulates through radiators, underfloor pipework or fan coils to heat your home. In summer, the cycle reverses to cool the home through the same pipework. One system, two seasons, no separate air conditioner needed. ## How an air source heat pump works The cycle has four steps: 1. **Extraction.** A fan draws outdoor air across an evaporator coil filled with refrigerant. Even at cold ambient temperatures, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air. 2. **Compression.** The refrigerant boils into a gas and is compressed, raising its temperature significantly. 3. **Heat transfer.** The hot gas passes through a heat exchanger, transferring its energy into the building water loop. 4. **Reversal for cooling.** In summer, the cycle reverses. Heat is extracted from inside the building and rejected outside. ## Two types: air-to-water and air-to-air **Air-to-water** heat pumps heat water that circulates through radiators, underfloor heating or domestic hot water cylinders. This is what SóGeo installs for hydronic systems across Melbourne. The water-based distribution gives even, quiet, comfortable heating with no air movement. **Air-to-air** heat pumps push warmed or cooled air directly into rooms through wall-mounted indoor units. This is what most people in Australia call a split-system air conditioner. It works, but it is noisier, the comfort is less even, and it cannot supply hot water. ## Performance in the Melbourne climate Performance comes down to how the system is designed and commissioned, not just the equipment. A SóGeo install typically delivers a SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) of 5 or higher across the year, and never less than 4 even on a demanding high-temperature retrofit. For context, the market average for ASHP installs sits at SCOP 3.0 to 3.5, which we treat as a poor result. The difference is design discipline: correct sizing against the heat-loss calculation, weather-compensation control tuning, and proper hydraulic balancing. Performance does drop in heatwave conditions. On a 35°C day the cooling COP can fall to 2.5, and on a 40°C+ day it can drop below 2. This is the trade-off of pulling thermal energy from very hot air. For homes that want consistent year-round performance regardless of weather, a [ground source heat pump](/ground-source-heat-pumps) holds COP 5 to 7 because ground temperatures stay stable year round. ## What about cost? For a straightforward gas boiler to hydronic heat pump swap that keeps your existing radiators, SóGeo installs start at $15,000. Most installs run higher with home size, scope, hot water integration and any emitter or insulation upgrades the heat-loss calculation identifies. Larger or new-build hydronic systems are quoted from drawings. Full breakdown is in our [cost guide](/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-switch-from-gas-to-hydronic-heat-pumps). SóGeo designs and installs **hydronic heat pumps** for homes and commercial buildings across **Melbourne**. Quiet, efficient, and engineered to suit your project. At SóGeo, we design and install hydronic air source heat pump systems that provide efficient and quiet heating and cooling. These systems are ideal for homes and commercial projects looking to make the switch from gas boiler to heat pump for energy-efficient, climate-friendly heating. With over 20 years of hydronic system experience passed down through three generations, SóGeo brings precision engineering to every project. Our focus is on delivering performance without compromise. Whether you are building a new home, upgrading a family residence, or specifying equipment for a commercial development, the design starts with your building. ## How Air Source Hydronic Heat Pumps Work Air-source hydronic heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air and transfer it into a water-based system within your building. In summer, the process is reversed to provide hydronic cooling. The system connects to hydronic distribution methods such as underfloor heating, fan coils, or hydronic radiators to deliver radiant heating or cooling. Unlike conventional split systems or ducted air conditioning, hydronic heat pumps deliver a gentler, more consistent climate experience, with reduced airflow, less dust, and better compatibility with energy-efficient, air-tight buildings. At SóGeo, no two systems are alike. Every installation is designed from the ground up to suit the building’s architecture, insulation, orientation, occupancy, and climate zone. We take the time to understand how the home or building will be used and design your heating and cooling system accordingly. Whether it is a **passive house** with low energy demand needing **heat recovery ventilation**, or a large home requiring zone control, we engineer systems that balance comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics. Clean installations, intelligent layout planning, and premium componentry are standard on every SóGeo project. - Reduced environmental impact - Long lifespan - Lower energy bills - Comfortable living ## Maximum benefits. Minimum environmental impact. Besides being kinder to the environment, **air source heat pumps** are highly beneficial in many ways. - High energy efficiency, even in cold winters. - Heat pump unit is located outside the property, with little space required. - Can be paired with solar PV, unlike gas boilers. - Lower running costs than gas boilers, reducing the cost of energy bills. ## The SóGeo Difference Our team is European-trained and uses sophisticated installation techniques refined over twenty years of hydronic project delivery, fourteen of those in Australia. Whether you are a homeowner replacing a failing gas boiler, an architect specifying a new build, or a builder coordinating a commercial project, SóGeo handles the design, the install, and the commissioning. The handover is a fixed quote after a site visit and heat-loss calculation, then a system that runs the way it was designed for the next twenty years. ![Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump]() ### How Air Source Hydronic Heat Pumps Work Air sourced hydronic heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air and transfer that heat into a water-based system within your building. In summer, the process can be reversed to provide [hydronic cooling](https://sogeo.com.au/hydronic-heating-cooling/hydronic-underfloor-cooling-efficient-comfort-for-your-home). The system connects to hydronic distribution methods such as [underfloor heating](https://sogeo.com.au/hydronic-heating-cooling/hydronic-underfloor-heating-comfort-efficiency), fan coils, or [hydronic radiators](https://sogeo.com.au/hydronic-heating-cooling/hydronic-radiators-stylish-energy-efficient-heating-for-your-home) to provide radiant heating or cooling Unlike conventional split systems or ducted air conditioning, hydronic heat pumps provide a gentler and more consistent climate experience, with reduced airflow, less dust, and better compatibility with energy-efficient, air-tight buildings. At SóGeo, no two systems are alike. Every installation is designed from the ground up to suit the building’s architecture, insulation, orientation, occupancy, and climate zone. We take the time to understand how the home or building will be used and design your heating and cooling system accordingly. Whether it’s a **passive house** with low energy demand needing **heat recovery ventilation** or a large home requiring zone control, we engineer systems that balance comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics. Clean installations, intelligent layout planning, and the use of premium componentry are standard on every SóGeo project. [**Contact Us For a Free Quote** ](https://sogeo.com.au/contact-us) - Reduced environmental impact - Long lifespan - Lower energy bills - Comfortable living 01 ![Casey horner 4r D Ca5h Bl Cs unsplash]() ### Maximum benefits. Minimum environmental impact. Besides being kinder to the environment, **air source heat pumps** are highly beneficial in many ways. - High energy efficiency, even in cold winters. - Heat pump unit is located outside the property, with little space required. - Can be paired with solar PV, unlike gas boilers. - Lower running costs than gas boilers, reducing the cost of energy bills. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a hydronic heat pump? ➕ A hydronic heat pump is an air-to-water heat pump that transfers heat from outside air into a sealed water loop. The water circulates through underfloor coils, panel radiators, or fan coils to deliver radiant comfort. SóGeo specifies inverter-driven Stiebel WPL (EHPA-certified) ### What are the disadvantages of hydronic heat pumps? ➕ Four points worth understanding. (1) Higher upfront investment than ducted reverse-cycle. Installs start at $15,000 for a straightforward boiler-to-heat-pump swap retaining existing radiators; most installs run higher with home size, scope, and upgrades the heat-loss calculation identifies. Larger or new-build hydronic systems are quoted from drawings - see our [**cost guide**](https://sogeo.com.au/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-switch-from-gas-to-hydronic-heat-pumps) for typical price drivers. The premium buys radiant comfort, silent operation, and a system engineered for 20+ years of service.(2) Hydronic systems are designed to run continuously at low load, not cycled on and off. That is how they achieve their efficiency advantage and deliver even temperature throughout the home. A correctly designed system holds setpoint with minimal energy the indoor experience is consistent comfort, not warm-cool-warm cycles. (3) Performance scales with the building envelope. A well-insulated home returns the best running cost. SóGeo factors the envelope into every design before specifying capacity. (4) Standard panel radiators heat only. Where cooling is required, SóGeo specifies hydronic underfloor or fan-coil units, both driven by the same heat pump. ### How is a hydronic heat pump different from a ducted reverse-cycle system? ➕ Ducted systems blow heated or cooled air through ductwork. Hydronic systems circulate temperature-controlled water through underfloor coils, radiators, or fan coils to deliver radiant comfort. The hydronic outcome is silent indoor operation, even temperature across the room, native solar PV integration, and longer system life. Ducted systems install faster and at lower cost; hydronic systems deliver better real-world comfort and lower running cost over the system lifetime. ### How much does hydronic heating cost in Melbourne? ➕ Installs start at $15,000 for a straightforward boiler-to-heat-pump swap retaining existing radiators. Most installs run higher with home size, scope, hot water integration, emitter sizing, and any radiator or insulation upgrades the heat-loss calculation identifies. Larger or new-build hydronic systems are quoted from drawings - submit your plans for a design and fixed quote. SóGeo provides a fixed quote after a site visit and heat-loss calculation. ### Will a hydronic heat pump increase my electricity bill? ➕ No, in a well-designed install, a hydronic heat pump runs at roughly half the cost of a gas boiler. Heat pumps deliver a coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.5 to 4.0, which means for every 1 kWh of electricity used the system produces 3.5 to 4 kWh of heat. The result for a typical Melbourne home running 10 hours per day across a five-month winter: around $900–$1,350 per year on electricity vs around $4,100 per year on gas. Pair the system with rooftop solar PV and the daytime running cost can drop close to zero. See our [**cost guide**](https://sogeo.com.au/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-switch-from-gas-to-hydronic-heat-pumps) for the full breakdown. ### Can a hydronic heat pump replace my gas boiler? ➕ Yes. Most existing hydronic systems - radiators, in-slab underfloor, or fan coils can run on a hydronic heat pump [**in place of a gas boiler**](https://sogeo.com.au/replace-gas-boiler-hydronic-heat-pump). The water side of the system stays in place. SóGeo disconnects and removes the gas boiler, installs the new heat pump unit, modifies pipework where needed, and recommissions the system on electric. Existing radiators stay if they’re correctly sized for the heat pump’s flow temperature; we check that during the heat-loss calculation. If radiators need upsizing for low-temperature operation, we factor that into the quote upfront. ![Jan huber 4 Oh FZSAT3sw unsplash]() ## The SóGeo Difference Our team of experts are European trained and utilise the most sophisticated technologies for their installations. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business operator, we're here to help you make the transition to a more innovative and effective system. ## Contact Us Get a free quote for your air source heat pumps at SóGeo ## Our Partners [ ![Reece](https://sogeo.com.au/uploads/suppliers/_AUTOx96_crop_center-center_none_ns/Reece.png) ](https://www.reece.com.au/) [ ![Stiebel Eltron](https://sogeo.com.au/uploads/suppliers/_AUTOx96_crop_center-center_none_ns/Stiebel-Eltron.png) ](https://www.stiebel-eltron.com.au/) [ ![Mitsubishi](https://sogeo.com.au/uploads/suppliers/_AUTOx96_crop_center-center_none_ns/Mitsubishi.png) ](https://www.mitsubishielectric.com.au/) [ ![Purmo](https://sogeo.com.au/uploads/suppliers/_AUTOx96_crop_center-center_none_ns/Purmo.png) ](https://www.purmo.com/au) [ ![Viessmann](https://sogeo.com.au/uploads/suppliers/_AUTOx96_crop_center-center_none_ns/viessmann_wordmark_rgb_1_vitorange.png) ](https://www.viessmann.com.au/)