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Maincor Underfloor Heating lower water running temperature lower water running temperature Slower moving air make - Complete freedom of interior design, every - Complete freedom Heat rises uniformly from the , rather than the floor, Heat rises uniformly from Heating Heat Movement Maincor Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without notice. underfloor heating the system of choice for asthmatics. slip hazard. dry quicker after cleaning, reducing having warm radiators. air pockets around Healthy Living - Comfort - Aesthetics Silence - Virtually silent when running. Low Maintenance - No need for manual operations, such as bleeding or painting of radiators. - The Cost Effective square inch of wall space can be used for room layouts. inch of wall space can be used for room square requires less energy and reduces heating bills. and reduces less energy requires • Why use Underfloor Heating? a huge number of benefits to using an underfloor are There just a few of them: are ; here • • • • • C as opposed o emissions, which helps the

2 Underfloor Heating Heat Movement C used in radiator systems, which means that there C used in radiator systems, which means that there o Overview to 80 Slower moving air particulates make underfloor heating the system of choice for asthmatics. Floors dry quicker after Underfloor heating also slip hazard. cleaning, reducing burnscontact of risk the eliminates from damage collision and up valuable wall space. radiators and frees The diagrams above illustrate how the heat travels around the The diagrams above illustrate how the heat travels around in an underfloor heating system (left) and in a radiator room system (right). The underfloor heating system heats the living the radiator system whilst the heat from in the room, area collects at the ceiling – a much less efficient heating method. Underfloor heating works by pumping warm water through Underfloor heating works by pumping warm water through surface room. Due to the large pipes laid into the floor of the required are of the floor much lower water temperatures area efficiently as the heat rises. An underfloor to warm the room 45 heating system will generally run at around In 1975, Plastic underfloor heating pipe was introduced into introduced In 1975, Plastic underfloor heating pipe was the material cost and allowed reduced the UK, which greatly of quality wider access to this way of heating. The increasing the drive etc) and new building techniques (insulation, controls technologies makes underfloor energy renewable towards environment. heating the ideal heating system in the current Introduction is not a new concept; it was brought Underfloor heating (UFH) years ago by the Romans. Their to Britain about 2,000 a fire/ to allow hot gasses from heating technique was network of under the an ingenious to pass through The hot gasses in turnfloor of the building. the floor heated above and kept to the rooms which radiated up structure, the cold months. them warm through into the UK since then been introduced systems have Various 1960), which heating (circa electric underfloor ranging from which expensive to run, to steel pipes under the floor, were expensive due to material costs. were environment. are energy and running cost savings, especially when used energy are such as heat pumps. Lower heat sources with renewable fuel usage means lower CO Tel: 01455 555930 Web: www.maincor.co.uk 01455 555930 Web: Tel: UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS HEATING UNDERFLOOR Maincor Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without notice. The area should ideally be weather tight. Ensure that tight. Ensure should ideally be weather The area sufficiently components are manifolds and electrical wet weather. from protected be available. Site specific PPE should The floor should be level and swept clear of any debris, etc. The floor should be level Project Planning for Site Project Site Requirements heating systems the starting to install underfloor Before should be prepared: working area • • • to mains required For filling and commissioning access will be and 230V mains . water pressure Health and Safety that all ensure When installing underfloor heating systems health and safety legislation and local site regulations relevant to at all times. fully adhered are Example of supplied Maincor project drawings Example of supplied Maincor project Maincor Design Support Quotes for UFH Projects please call on 01455 555930 no obligation quote For a free able to upload you are where or visit www.maincor.co.uk highly One of Maincor’s plans. your details and project will send you a full quote with material trained technical team you need to take to your schedules giving you everything local Maincor distributor. UFH Layout Drawings specific underfloor project Maincor can produce If required, layout of the heating layout drawings showing dimensions, with the project loops and manifold location(s) to assist you at the time of order requested these are installation. Typically, placement and usually take a week to produce. An example layout is below: Tel: 01455 555930 Web: www.maincor.co.uk 01455 555930 Web: Tel: SYSTEM DESIGN SYSTEM

Maincor Underfloor Heating Maincor Underfloor Heating 3 2 4 Relevant actuator head & 2 port valve open - energy open - energy source initiated source calls for heat 1 Maincor Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without notice. Pump circuit ea and the room usage, therefore towel rails are towel rails are usage, therefore ea and the room draws warm it into the floor water from energy energy water from source and pushes source Room is cold can be found over conventional radiator systems however there are a number a are radiator systems however there can be found over conventional * Room warms up and reaches and reaches temperature System shuts down 5 7 is satisifed Thermostat 6 BSRIA Underfloor Heating and Cooling (BG 4/2011) * You can see from this chart that the underfloor heating system is a controlled system and will respond to the heat demand in the respond to the heat demand in system and will this chart that the underfloor heating system is a controlled can see from You building as required. The process of UFH design will take the same route as any other heating system but with a few variations which will take into but with a few variations which will take as any other heating system take the same route of UFH design will The process in turn ultimately lead to lower heat losses. This of UFH which fuel costs for the occupier and means lower account the nature also benefits the environment. of between 15-40% It is often stated that savings Below is a simple flow chart to show the basic sequence of operation that a typical underfloor heating system would follow: Below is a simple flow chart to show the basic How does Underfloor Heating Work? How does Underfloor Heating Underfloor Heating Design Underfloor Heating recommended to supplement the UFH. recommended of factors that will determine the fuel savings - The highest savings can be found if the UFH is combined with a renewable of factors that will determine with a renewable highest savings can be found if the UFH is combined the fuel savings - The . such as an air source source energy convective made up by the majority of the remainder an UFH system is radiant heat with output from Over 50% of the heat of the balance via conductive . heating and a small proportion reduce the air it is possible to rooms mean radiant temperature, the of the floor increases Since the elevated temperature is normal for the occupants. When designing UFH systems it comfortable environment a more while creating temperature practice to use a 1-2°C lower design temperature. practice to use the same design temperature. it is standard en-suites where and The only exception to this is in lower available active floor ar This is due to the higher ventilation rates, a Tel: 01455 555930 Web: www.maincor.co.uk 01455 555930 Web: Tel: SYSTEM DESIGN SYSTEM 20 5 K for a screed floor for a screed for a timber floor 2 2 2 2 70W/m 100W/m Maximum outputs are as follows: Maximum outputs are 1 30 20 50 10 200 100 Maincor Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without notice. W/m² TR = indoor TR = indoor room AFST = average floor surface temperature Example: = 20°C temperature Indoor room = 25°C floor surface temperature Average q = 8.92(25-20) 1.1 =52.4W/m² Alternatively you can use the following diagram to determine the UFH output. The example above is shown dotted in red. Determining Heat Output of the radiant heat mentioned the nature As previously and lower lower convective currents transfer will also mean evident in most heat loss this isn’t stratification although to this rule however is when a calculations. The exception designing a conventional system high ceiling is used. When than 4.5m an additional factor greater if the ceiling height is basic heat loss calculation with should be added to the on the ceiling height. addition dependant the percentage With is not necessary due to the absence of strong UFH this convective currents. Floor Output is determinedThe output of an underfloor heating system by in floor surface to air temperature. the difference European A calculation method is given in the British and BS EN1264 and is as follows: Standard q = 8.92(AFST – TR) 1.1 where: q = heat output in W/m C C C o o o 22 18 24 20 18 16 Ceiling heating 24 22 20 18 16 Radiator heating 24 22 20 18 oor heating 16 Underfl 24 22 20 18 Ideal heating 16 C o 0.20 m 2.70 m 1.80 m C C o o The lower design temperatures will mean the temperature will mean the temperature The lower design temperatures between the external and internal temperature difference hence lower heat losses. will be lower, to be at the floor needs heat emitter, Since the floor is the For internal than the environment. a higher temperature in the heat not included losses are downward this reason loss calculations. 22 19 Underfloor heating provides an ideal temperature profile due profile an ideal temperature Underfloor heating provides to radiant heat Conventional Heating Systems vs Underfloor is typically slightly It is true that an underfloor heating system expensive to install than a traditional radiator system, more the efficient, however since underfloor heating is more UFH considered If whole life costs are lower. running costs are for further is a better option – see BSRIA ‘whole life costs’ also huge advantages in are on this subject. There reading usable floor terms increased of comfort for the occupants, space and quieter running. of radiant heat, the most UFH utilises a high proportion comfortable form of heating and gives the occupants warm profile. feet and a cool head which is the ideal temperature Building Heat Loss Calculations and Influences Building Heat Loss should follow the conventional Building heat loss calculations a some of minor variations to consider. heat loss method with • • when losses need to be considered However the downward losses flow rates. Downward sizing plant and circuit should be minimised to below 10%. Profiles for various temperature heating methods for various temperature Profiles Tel: 01455 555930 Web: www.maincor.co.uk 01455 555930 Web: Tel: 18 22 24 SYSTEM DESIGN SYSTEM

Maincor Underfloor Heating 22 19 Maincor Underfloor Heating Wood Pellet Boiler Wood Maincor Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without notice. Location in room corners Location in room units Behind furniture Behind curtains devices such as TVs, computer Close to heat generating equipment, wall lights sunlight In direct On outside walls In the line of draughts Air Source Underfloor Heating ThermostatUnderfloor Heating Locations therefore by sensing the air temperature operate located in a position that they are it is important to ensure the following: Avoid overall. of the room that is representative • • • • • • • It’s quite common to use UFH system combined with radiator It’s with the systems with the addition of water blending controls UFH. blending systems a range of pre-plumbed Maincor offer which include thermostatic, actuated or weather Controls Temperature Refer to Water compensated controls. details. for more For further design guidance For further information on Underfloor heating design please to the CIBSE guides: refer • Underfloor Heating Design and Installation • Domestic Heating Design / Biogas . Source Ground Underfloor Heating Pipe Layout used when installing pipe for two pipe layouts are Typically underfloor heating: Pipe centres will depend on the floor construction – see Pipe centres page 56 Heat Sources , but also with commonly with condensing – more range of hot water sources Underfloor heating can work with a large technologies such as biomass and geothermal heat sources: energy renewable The spiral or snail method (left) and the series method (right) The spiral or snail method (left) and the series distribution even heat The spiral method gives a slightly more and lay. however the series method is easier to plan in a room common in the UK. The series method is more The most efficient underfloor heating systems will incorporate technologies. Since underfloor systems generally renewable than traditional radiator systems, run at lower temperatures commonly incorporated prior to the are blending controls underfloor heating manifold to blend the boiler flow with the water. UFH return Underfloor Heating Manifold Locations Underfloor Heating centrally in the building if Manifolds should be located is good access that there to ensure possible. It is important In domestic the event of a problem. for maintenance or in would be underneathsituations good locations at the stairs, on the or in an airing cupboard back of a kitchen cupboard, then to hide them away, requirement is a If there first floor. inside stud walls behind an access Manifolds can be located cabinet. hatch, or inside a dedicated consideration needs to be given When locating a manifold pipes from heating to minimise the amount of uncontrolled to other areas. en route rooms passing through Tel: 01455 555930 Web: www.maincor.co.uk 01455 555930 Web: Tel: SYSTEM DESIGN SYSTEM Pipes Maincor Ltd reserves the right to alter specification without notice. Water Temperature Controls Temperature Water (UFH) based underfloor heating Water floor systems work by turning the entire radiator low temperature into one large which is heated via a network of pipes Since embedded within the floor. that are it only the floor (the ‘radiator’) is so large to heat needs to run at a low temperature the This means that the water that flows around the room. than a traditional floor needs to be at a far lower temperature radiator system. the water to control a wide range of products Maincor offer Packs, Thermostatic including Control flow and temperature Compensators. and Weather Mixing Valves Further information can be found later in this section. Controls Air Temperature and Using a wide range of wired systems, including radio controlled means that app enabled technology, can be individually temperatures room allowing the occupier controlled, the whilst increasing maximum flexibility, efficiency of the building. energy Further information can be found in the Air Temperature section. Controls Floor Constructions Air Temperature Controls Air Temperature UFH Manifolds and Water Temperature Controls Temperature Water Pipes the use of its Maincor recommends Multi-Layer Composite Pipe (MLCP) for underfloor heating systems: MLCP is made up of several layers (PE-RT it with excellent / AL / PE-RT) to provide is installation characteristics. The product durable like metal pipes, flexible extremely like plastic pipes, allowing it to be easily bent by hand, and combined with formstability allowing it to stay in place when bent without springing back. All of this coupled with long coil ideal for use in underfloor heating lengths makes the product applications. Further information can be found in the Multi-Layer Composite Pipe section. Underfloor Heating Manifolds Essentially the manifold allows for every loop of UFH pipe in a building to be the manifold in a connected to and from single continuous length with no fittings the in between, completely removing is a fault possibility of joint leaks. If there or maintenance is with an individual circuit can simply be turned ‘off’. that circuit required supplied complete Maincor 1 - 12 port UFH Manifolds are with flowmeters for ease of commissioning. Also included fill and drain ports, within the manifold arrangement are automatic air vents and fixing brackets. Further information can be found later in this section. Tel: 01455 555930 Web: www.maincor.co.uk 01455 555930 Web: Tel: KEY COMPONENTS KEY

Maincor Underfloor Heating