Heat Pumps for Hydronic Underfloor Heating

An air-to-water heat pump is the most common way to heat the water for hydronic floor heating in Australian homes. Because HOYA Ondol dry-panel floors run on low water temperatures, the heat pump doesn’t have to work hard.

We supply HydroAir and STIEBEL ELTRON heat pumps as part of your HOYA Ondol system, and other brands on request.

Dark grey air-to-water heat pump beside a matching cylinder tank on a dark background

Why a heat pump suits floor heating

Floor heating needs much cooler water than radiators, and that is where a heat pump works best.

Low water temperatures

Your floor’s design sets the flow temperature. Under engineered timber we design around 35–45 °C, so the floor surface stays at or below 27 °C.

Even warmth across the room

Warm water runs through the whole floor, so heat rises evenly from the largest surface in the room.

Runs on electricity

No gas connection or flue. With rooftop solar, the heat pump can use some of that power during the day.

Heat pumps we supply

Two main ranges cover most homes: HydroAir Next Gen in 9, 15 and 22 kW, and STIEBEL ELTRON WPL-A R290 in about 11, 14 and 20 kW. Your hydronic installer chooses the model and size for your home.

Two HydroAir Next Gen heat pumps in dark grey: a large twin-fan unit and a smaller single-fan unit

HydroAir Next Gen R290

Inverter heat pumps using natural R290 refrigerant, with Wi-Fi and a touchscreen controller.

  • Sizes9, 15 and 22 kW
  • PowerSingle or three phase
  • RefrigerantR290
STIEBEL ELTRON WPL-A air-to-water heat pump outdoor unit in dark grey

STIEBEL ELTRON WPL-A R290

Inverter heat pumps using natural R290 refrigerant, with a quiet mode.

  • SizesAbout 11, 14 and 20 kW
  • PowerSingle or three phase
  • RefrigerantR290
Compact dark grey air-to-water heat pump on a dark studio background

Other brands on request

We can also supply other heat pumps, including BAXI, Immergas and the STIEBEL ELTRON WPL 25, if your installer prefers one of them.

  • Also availableBAXI and Immergas
  • Other STIEBEL ELTRONWPL 25
  • How to askWhen you send your plans

Specifications

Single-phase and three-phase models side by side. Your installer confirms the model against your home’s heat loss and power supply.

Compare the range

Outputs at 7 °C outside and 35 °C water. Sound is measured differently by each maker, so compare it with care. Figures from the manufacturers’ datasheets.

RangeSizes (heating output)Power supplyRefrigerantMax water temperatureOutdoor heating range
HydroAir Next Gen R2909, 15 and 22 kWSingle phase (9); single or three phase (15, 22)R29075 °C−25 to 45 °C
STIEBEL ELTRON WPL-A R290About 11, 14 and 20 kWSingle phase (10.2, 13.2); three phase (13.2, 17.2)R29075 °CDown to −25 °C

HydroAir Next Gen R290

Output ranges are minimum to maximum. Sound pressure is measured 1 m from the unit.

ModelHeating output A7/W35Heating output A7/W55Power input A7/W35Power supply (max current)Refrigerant (charge)Sound pressure at 1 mL × W × HWeight
Next Gen 92.92–9.10 kW2.99–8.16 kW0.61–2.11 kWSingle phase (15 A)R290 (0.55 kg)46 dB(A)1187 × 438 × 808 mm110 kg
Next Gen 154.30–15.20 kW4.25–14.55 kW0.87–3.73 kWSingle phase (25 A) or three phase (10 A)R290 (1.05 kg)53 dB(A)1287 × 458 × 908 mm134 kg
Next Gen 227.24–21.90 kW6.36–19.45 kW1.50–5.88 kWSingle phase (35 A) or three phase (17 A)R290 (1.4 kg)55 dB(A)1187 × 508 × 1460 mm195 kg

STIEBEL ELTRON WPL-A R290

HK 230 models run on single phase and HK 400 models on three phase. “Not published” means the figure is not on the datasheet we hold. See the STIEBEL ELTRON WPL-A product page (opens in a new tab).

ModelPower supplyHeating output A7/W35 (min–max)COP A7/W35SCOP 35 °CRefrigerant (charge)Sound power (EN 12102)H × W × DWeight
WPL-A 10.2 Trend HK 230Single phase2.76–10.97 kW5.404.59R290 (1.4 kg)46 dB(A)960 × 1170 × 727 mm150 kg
WPL-A 13.2 Trend HK 230Single phase3.69–13.92 kW5.364.65R290 (1.6 kg)49 dB(A)1144 × 1170 × 727 mm176 kg
WPL-A 13.2 Trend HK 400Three phase3.69–13.92 kW5.364.65R290 (1.6 kg)49 dB(A)1144 × 1170 × 727 mm176 kg
WPL-A 17.2 Trend HK 400Three phase5.11–19.64 kW5.294.55R290 (2.15 kg)52 dB(A)1365 × 1170 × 727 mm209 kg

How it works with HOYA Ondol

1The heat pump heats water

The outdoor unit takes heat from the air and passes it to the heating water.

2The manifold feeds each room

Water flows to a manifold, which feeds a separate pipe circuit for each area. Some systems also use a buffer tank.

3The panels spread the heat

The pipe sits in the 26 mm HOYA Ondol floor heating panels, which spread the warmth across the floor.

4The floor warms the room

Cooled water returns to the heat pump to be reheated.

Choosing the right size

The right heat pump depends on your home, not just its floor area. Your hydronic installer works it out from:

  • the heated floor area and ceiling heights;
  • insulation, windows and draught sealing;
  • your local climate;
  • the floor coverings and the design water temperature for each floor;
  • your power supply (single or three phase).

We give your installer the panel and pipe layout and the design flow temperature for each floor, so the heat pump, manifold and panels are designed together.

Data sheets, warranties and installation manuals for both heat pump ranges are in our resources and downloads.

Two white air-source heat pumps on a gravel bed beside a grey rendered house wall

Installation and warranty

The panels can be laid by a builder, carpenter or flooring installer, following HOYA Ondol’s installation instructions and the panel and pipe layout designed for your floor, working with your hydronic installer. Manifold, heat pump or boiler connections must be made by a licensed plumber, and electrical work by a licensed electrician. In some states, laying the heating pipe itself is also licensed plumbing work, so check with your installer. Warranty requires licensed connections. This does not limit your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

Homes heated with HOYA Ondol

Installer pressing heating pipe into HOYA Ondol panels laid over the existing floor of a stone cottage in Daylesford, Victoria

Daylesford, Victoria

HOYA Ondol panels laid over the existing floor of a stone cottage.

Bedroom in the O'Connor ACT renovation with white hydronic pipe laid in a loop around the room in black HOYA Ondol panels

O'Connor, ACT

A whole-house renovation with HOYA Ondol panels over particleboard.

Heat pump questions

Yes. Air-to-water heat pumps suit HOYA Ondol well because dry-panel floors run on low water temperatures.

A heat pump moves heat from the outside air, so it uses less electricity for the same heat. An electric boiler turns electricity straight into heat, but it is compact, goes indoors and needs little plumbing. Ask us which suits your home.

It depends on your floor’s design and covering. Under engineered timber we design around 35–45 °C, so the surface stays at or below 27 °C.

Your hydronic installer sizes it from your home’s heat loss. We supply the panel layout and design temperatures they need.

Not always. Many models in our range run on single phase, and some larger ones come in three phase. Your electrician can check your supply.

The models in our range with a published outdoor range are rated to heat down to −25 °C. Output falls as it gets colder, and sizing allows for that.

Each maker publishes a sound level, but they measure it differently. Place the outdoor unit away from bedrooms and boundaries, and check your council’s rules.

Get a heat pump recommendation

Send us your plans and we’ll prepare a panel layout and help you and your installer choose a heat pump or boiler.