Water-side balancing of heating

What is water-side balancing?

Every home in Kleiburg has a Ferroli unit. This pumps hot water through radiators and/or underfloor heating loops. Without proper balancing, water flows primarily along the shortest paths: radiators close to the unit or short underfloor loops receive too much heat, while more distant rooms are left without enough.

By adjusting the water side – via control valves or thermostatic valves – the flow per radiator or loop is adjusted, so that every room receives exactly the right amount of heat.

What does it yield?

Proper water-side balancing ensures evenly distributed heat in your apartment. The concrete benefits:

• More comfort: all rooms are heated evenly, without cold or overheated spots.

• Lower energy costs: gas consumption decreases by approximately 5–20%; in apartments with radiators the efficiency is higher than with underfloor heating

• Higher efficiency: colder return water increases the temperature difference, which improves the efficiency of the heat exchanger in the Ferroli unit.

• Sustainability: less energy consumption means lower CO₂ emissions.

• Longer equipment life: a balanced system prevents wear and failure.

How does it work in your home?

Apartments with radiators

• Each radiator has a supply and return pipe.

• Radiators close to the Ferroli unit are “throttled” with control valves or thermostatic taps, thus restricting the water flow.

• Radiators that are further away therefore receive more flow and heat up more evenly.

Apartments with underfloor heating

• Hot water is supplied to several floor loops via a distributor.

• Short loops (e.g. bathroom) are limited with the control valves.

• Long loops (e.g. living room) get more water.

This way, the entire apartment heats up evenly and efficiently.

Costs and payback period for Kleiburg apartments

Price level 2025: based on comparable homes:

• Small Kleiburg apartments: €300–€500

• Larger apartments or corner houses: €500–€800

• Payback period: usually within about 3–5 years thanks to lower heating costs.

Financing through the National Heat Fund

Collective water-side balancing is eligible for financing from the National Heat Fund, under the Energy Saving Loan.

Subsidy?

Water-side balancing is recognized within the SVVE subsidy scheme as a supplementary measure, for which an amount of €150 has been allocated.

Who carries this out?

This is specialized work because measuring flow and temperature must be done precisely to properly adjust the system. Therefore, it must be carried out by a certified installer.

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Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences?

Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com. Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.