When it comes to heating your home, there are a number of different options available. However, one of the best options is a water-based system under your floorboards called underfloor heating (UFH). UFH systems use a network of plastic pipes to heat the entire floor of your home, providing warmth and comfort. The main benefit of this is that it proves very energy-efficient, resulting in reduced fuel bills. It also allows you to zone the heating for efficient, focused heating.
The pipes used in UFH are usually made of polyethylene or PEX. These pipes are highly durable and can withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for use in your UFH system. They also provide good insulation, keeping the heat in your home. They also have a wide range of widths and lengths to choose from, meaning you can easily tailor the system to your requirements.
As well as being highly durable, plastic pipes are also cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to copper pipe. They can also be installed more quickly than other types of pipes, allowing you to get your heating up and running in no time at all. Danfoss has a variety of piping systems that are designed for floor heating, including the Basic system that is ideal for new builds or retrofit installations. The system uses a pre-defined pattern of clips or rails that are fixed to the panels, so installation is simple and requires no specialist skills. This means you can save on labour costs, and the system can be completed much faster than conventional screed floors or traditional heating systems such as radiators.
UFH works by circulating warm water through the plastic pipes or via a heated electrical mat under your floorboards. The UFH system is then connected to a manifold that controls the flow of water around the house. The manifold is fed by the boiler and pumps water into the UFH system at a set rate. The water then flows into each of the plastic pipes, warming up and evenly distributing the heat.
Conductive transfer occurs when objects of varying temperature come into contact with each other. This is the same process that makes your hand feel colder when it touches a steel pole. This process also takes place in UFH systems, but at a lower temperature and over a larger area. This is why UFH systems are so efficient, as they heat up the whole floor rather than just hot spots under furniture.
The type of UFH you have will also affect the heat transfer. Some systems are wet installs, requiring the tubes to be fitted beneath the concrete subfloor. This requires the concrete to be poured at a slightly warmer temperature than normal, as the system relies on the thermal mass of the concrete to store the heat. Other systems are dry installs, using the tubing or cables suspended between the floor joists. These systems require the joists to be built with a slightly higher depth and may also require reflective insulation under the tubes to direct the heat upwards.floor heating pipe