What we can do
Introduction
Underfloor Heating when correctly designed and installed can be incredibly efficient, knocking 25% or more off your energy bill. Underfloor heating (UFH) radiates heat energy from a very large surface, namely the floor, which only has to be slightly warmer than the room itself. This energy is emitted from the floor in every direction striking the walls, the furnishings and the ceiling where it is partly absorbed and partly reflected.
As a result these surfaces absorb energy and warm up. They then become secondary emitters, until heat energy has been reflected or absorbed by every part of the room. There is just even, all-round comfortable warmth – no hot ceilings and no cold floor draughts.
On the Continent UFH is widely used:
In France, it accounts for 40-50% of all heating
In Germany for 50-60%
In Switzerland and Sweden, for even more than this(>70%)
In the UK, it currently accounts for just 2%. UFH is seen as a premium product and is expected to have a reflecting price tag. Like all products though. you get what you pay for and in the medium and long term the monetery costs are offset by the lower running costs and the longevity of the individual components. The initially small premium is therefore returned to your pocket in very short order and as a bonus there is a far greater degree of comfort.
UFH can be installed in almost any building and with almost any form of floor construction. With modern programmable room thermostats, the room temperature is easily set to different demand levels at various times during the day or week.
We have two main systems
The Solo System – suitable for single zones
The Multiroom system – this includes pipe, manifolds, fixings, control and full technical back up. Just add water!
Underfloor Heating - How It Works
When using a radiator system the heat output is a function of the surface area of the radiator and the mean water temperature flowing through the circuit.
The principal is the same for floor heating, but as the floor area is considerably greater than that of a radiator the mean water temperature can be reduced well below that of a radiator circuit.
The heat output from the floor is a function of the following factors:
- Mean water temperature
- Spacing between the pipes
- Floor structure
- Floor finish
- Theoretically ideal heating system
- WTS-Design floor heating system
- Radiator system on inside wall
A WTS-Design floor heating system consists of circuits of pipe embedded in the floor; each of these circuits is connected to a distribution manifold onto individual pairs of valves. Room thermostats and actuators can then easily control the separate circuits.
The WTS-Design floor-heating pipe is PERT with an EVOH oxygen barrier built into the pipe wall. PERT is an incredibly durable material and accounts for about 60% of all UK floor heating installations. The actual life span of this material is unknown but mechanical testing at elevated pressures and temperatures have indicated an absolute minimum life of fifty years with a safety factor of 2.5 (in other words, the pipe should last as long as the life expectancy of the building).
Control of the water temperature is important; water at boiler temperature should not be allowed to enter the floor structure. This control is achieved by either a manually operated three port blending valve with a remote sensing control head, or by using a weather compensating control system.
The source of heated water is generally a standard boiler, either oil or gas. It is possible to use alternatives such as ground source heat pumps or solar devices, however care should be taken to ensure that the control systems match the requirements of the floor heating.
Underfloor Heating - Floor Structures
The floorheating pipe is secured to the insulation and held in place with staples and clip rails before screed is poured.
Suitable for
- New Build
- Ground floors
- Upper Floors
- Refurbushments
- Extensions
- Commercial
| Heat Transfer | Via screed that immerses the pipes |
| Pipe Size | 12mm & 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | 50-65mm from insulation |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 120W/m² |
| Drying Time | Approx. 24hrs per mm |
The heating pipe is secured to mesh & held in place with wire ties before screed is poured. Best suited for industrial projects.
Suitable for
- Ground floors
- Commercial
| Heat Transfer | Via screed that immerses the pipes |
| Pipe Size | 12mm & 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | 125mm from insulation |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 120W/m² |
| Drying Time | Approx. 24hrs per mm |
This floor construction is most commonly used on joisted floors, as it allows installation of the underfloor heating with no change in floor level.
Suitable for
- New Build
- Ground floors
- Upper Floors
- Refurbushments
- Extensions
| Heat Transfer | Via biscuit mix that immerses the pipes |
| Pipe Size | 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | None – System is between the joists |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 90W/m² |
| Drying Time | None |
The floorheating pipe is clipped into the aluminium plates. System is fitted between joists so there is no change to floor level.
Suitable for
- New Build
- Ground floors
- Upper Floors
- Refurbushments
- Extensions
| Heat Transfer | Via aluminium diffuser plates |
| Pipe Size | 12mm & 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | None – system is between joists |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 77W/m² |
| Drying Time | None |
The floorheating pipe fits snugly into the pre grooved channels, the foil distributes the heat.
Suitable for
- New Build
- Ground floors
- Upper Floors
- Refurbushments
- Extensions
- Commercial
| Heat Transfer | Via aluminium diffuser foil |
| Pipe Size | 12mm & 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | 25mm plus floor finish |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 75W/m² |
| Drying Time | None |
The floorheating pipe is clips easily into the clip trays. A self-levelling mix is then poured, and the finished flooring is added when the mix dried.
Suitable for
- New Build
- Ground floors
- Upper Floors
- Refurbushments
- Extensions
| Heat Transfer | Via self leveling screed |
| Pipe Size | 12mm & 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | 25mm from plus floor finish |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 120W/m² |
| Drying Time | None |
The floorheating pipe fits snugly into the pre grooved channels, Option to tile directly onto panel or float laminate floor with no fuss.
Suitable for
- New Build
- Ground floors
- Upper Floors
- Refurbushments
- Extensions
- Commercial
| Heat Transfer | Via panel |
| Pipe Size | 12mm & 16 mm |
| Full Height Build Up | 25mm plus floor finish |
| Heat output @ 45ºC | Up to 101W/m² |
| Drying Time | None |
Underfloor heating floor Coverings do's & don'ts
It is important to remember that any material (except tiles) laid over a warmed floor will have an insulating effect. The insulating effect will reduce the output into the occupied space and raise the temperature of the floor structure beneath. This is easily compensated for at the design stage, thus the reason for needing to know the proposed final floor covering. Generally speaking any of the normal accepted floor coverings are suitable for use with underfloor heating, that is carpet and underlay, hardwood, laminates, vinyl and of course tiles.
Another important point that is very rarely considered is that floor heating opens up a new world with regard to floor coverings. All the traditionally ‘cold’ coverings such as hardwood, laminate or tile are of course now warm underfoot. These materials are also a lot easier to keep clean and are less likely to harbour carpet mites and dust. The WTS system will always be designed with the final floor covering taken into consideration.
It is not recommended that softwood flooring or cork tiles are used over floor heating, If in doubt please get in touch.
Before laying any final floor covering you should ensure that the floor structure is completely dry. Under normal conditions it can take as long as 6-9 months for the moisture to naturally be expelled from a concrete screed. This would obviously jeopardise your build schedule so you can speed this process up by running the floor heating for 2 weeks at a low temperature (25-30°C) after the screed has cured. This will help remove the remaining moisture from the screed.
Once you are happy that the screed is dried, you can then lay your final floor covering. Ensure the floor heating has been turned back off for at least two days before commencing this work. This will stop floor adhesive ‘going off’ too quickly. Once the final floor covering has been laid, leave for another two days before warming the floor, again at the low temperature. The temperature can then be slowly increased up to the maximum for the type of floor construction over the course of a week.
Do not use cork or rubber tiles over floor heating.
Underfloor Heating - Control
The needs of the system and the budget available will largely dictate the control system that is chosen, the whims of the end user would also play a deciding factor.
Below is a very brief outline of the main options. There are a myriad of varations to each of the main themes. All bear discussion which we are more than happy to do – just give us a call. 01463 740740
Our starter system has all that is needed to get your system running smoothly and efficiently. With nickel plated one piece brass manifolds, PERT pipe with appropriate fixings, and a set of digital stats and controls you have all the kit needed to install one of our highly efficient underfloor heating systems. We also throw in an installation manual, a set of CAD drawings and expert back up to complete the deal.
Our wireless system, like the standard system, has all that is needed to get your system running smoothly and efficiently – nickel plated one piece brass manifolds, PERT pipe with appropriate fixings. The digital stats and controls are wireless, easing the installation time for the electrician. As before an installation manual, a set of CAD drawings and expert back up are included.
Our top of the pile smart system has everything you need to stay warm and connected. The system is fully linked up to the internet allowing for remote control via a free app. The system is easy to use and set up, and comes complete with the technical manuals, CAD and our full expert back up. It is availabel in wired & wirelss versions.
