Underfloor heating – the preferred modern day heating solution
Underfloor heating – the preferred modern day heating solution
Timmy Mullins, Marketing Manager of specialist heating and plumbing wholesale supplier Pulsar direct, talks to British Builder & Developer about the rise and rise of underfloor heating.
Demand for underfloor heating in the Irish and UK markets has risen significantly in recent years, encouraging a growing number of suppliers, manufacturers and contractors to vie for a slice of the market – as it is fast becoming the favoured choice for industry professionals. Underfloor heating is practical, cost effective and flexible. It is increasingly being specified over traditional radiator systems and underfloor heating has now firmly established itself as the preferred modern day heating solution.
Underfloor heating gently warms the air above, eliminating cold spots. The warm air convects from the floor surface losing only two degrees centigrade at two meters above the floor. Independent tests reveal that the most acceptable indoor climate is one in which the floor temperature ranges between 19 and 29°C and the air temperature at head level ranges between 20 and 24°C. With radiator or convector heating systems a vertical temperature gradient is produced, where it is colder at foot level than at the head.
Now accepted as part of the mainstream UK building services industry, and a standard solution for many types of project, underfloor heating works well in all situations. In the commercial and public sectors this includes offices, hospitals and schools, whilst in the domestic market, success with selfbuilders has now been matched by a healthy demand from developers, builders and installers working on all types of homes.
Today’s environmentally conscious society and the ever increasing cost of energy has resulted in the need to consider different forms of heating, and the number of customers requesting energy efficient underfloor heating is likely to increase further because of this. Installers should keep in mind the substantial benefits of underfloor heating – in terms of efficiency and sustainability – for customers seeking an alternative to traditional radiator systems.
Similarly, important changes to Part L of the Building Regulations have focused on conserving fuel and power; reducing heat loss; improving energy efficiency standards; providing better insulation; and ensuring more efficient heating systems in buildings. Modern underfloor heating is more fuel efficient, resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gases and the entire system being more environmentally friendly, so it fits the bill from a regulatory point of view as well.
Factors such as this have accelerated the demand for underfloor heating, and there is a new emphasis on designing low carbon heating systems dependent on renewable energy sources. Whatever the heat source – be it heat pump, bio-mass boiler or conventional condensing boiler – one thing is certain, systems now have to function more efficiently at lower temperatures. Underfloor heating offers the only practical form of low temperature heat emitter for all applications, whether domestic or commercial.
Another advantage is that the low water-flow temperature of underfloor heating, typically around 35°C, allows boilers to operate at 98% efficiency compared to an average of only 88% with systems that require a higher flow temperature, such as traditional radiators. Additionally, condensing boilers and alternative heat sources, such as geothermal heat pumps, work better at lower water-flow temperatures, and are therefore most suited for use with an underfloor heating system.
Underfloor heating is a simple and efficient installation, instead of having to fit heavy radiators to walls, installers lay flexible pipe into pre-spaced plastic clips. There is a wide range of floor fixing accessories available now, which makes pipe installation a dream. The development of complex and very high quality plastic pipe, such as the multilayer pipe, offers all the advantages of a metal pipe but with the flexibility of a plastic pipe, where the bending radius is 2.5 times the pipe diameter.
For commercial and industrial buildings, the development of modern warm water underfloor technology means that there is now a suitable alternative to inefficient warm air heaters and radiators. By turning the entire floor into a radiator plane, an underfloor heating system heats the area from the floor up and with a much higher proportion of radiant rather than convected heat. This improves comfort levels and leads to major savings in running costs – particularly in areas with high ceilings, such as warehouses and factories – as the larger the area served, the lower the cost of the total installation in comparison with traditional methods. Furthermore, underfloor heating is totally invisible, maintenance-free and tamper proof, making gurgling pipes and pressure issues a thing of the past.
Homeowners also appreciate the unobtrusive heating system, which offers comfort as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Utilising modern multilayer pipes, control systems and high efficiency boilers, today’s underfloor heating systems are extremely comfortable and easily controllable. Radiators are no longer needed, which allows for greater flexibility with unrestricted wall surfaces in both old and new buildings. There is more room space and heat is evenly distributed with no dust circulation, which results in a healthier environment all round. Additionally, underfloor heating is safer as there are no hazardous wall projections or hot surfaces.
So, underfloor heating has come of age, it’s cleaner, greener and far more versatile. However, just as in any other industry, there are good, bad and indifferent underfloor heating companies. Since the system is going to be integrated into the structure of the building, it’s important to make sure that you choose a good one – one with pedigree, experience and reputation.
When sourcing an underfloor heating supplier, builders should look for a company that takes responsibility for the complete system, offering a comprehensive controls package that has a solution for all building applications. When all system components are from one manufacturer – everything is fully integrated, installation is easier and there is a single source for training and technical support. This is even more important when integrating underfloor heating with renewable technologies as the design must take into account the heat loss calculations associated with lower temperature heating systems. A reputable supplier will offer a high level of support from the initial design through to installation and full on-site technical assistance to offer step-by-step support as well as supplying bespoke mechanical and electrical drawings for all projects, including comprehensive installation manuals.
About Pulsar direct:
Pulsar direct supplies the trade with a comprehensive range of plumbing, heating and renewable energy products. Pulsar direct has supplied more than 20,000 underfloor heating systems in the UK over the last 15 years. Its dedicated technical team deal with over 100 quotations weekly and its Quote Direct system means Pulsar direct will get the quote back to you within 24 hours, priced line by line, so each element of the job’s cost is known. With an experienced sales team on-hand and a first class after-sales service, whatever your needs, Pulsar direct can create a complete competitively priced solution that is hard to match. For more information, visit www.pulsardirect.co.uk or call free on 0800 2988 701.
