Underfloor heating

The most frequently asked questions about Underfloor Heating Systems

How Does Underfloor Heating System Work?

The underfloor heating system is a heating system that consists of hot water heated by any heat generating device such as a boiler, boiler or heat pump, passing through the pipes laid on the floor and heating the entire floor. The temperature of the water circulating in the pipes does not exceed 45-50 ̊C. Regulations have limited the temperature of the floors stepped on in underfloor heating systems to 29 ̊C. This provides a more efficient heating system.

What are the Advantages of Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating has many advantages. These are;

Economic: The floor temperature, which is often stepped on, is limited to 29 ̊C by regulations for comfortable and healthy heating. This presents us with the requirement that the fluid temperature passing through the system should be in the range of 45-50 ̊C. This temperature point is the most efficient operating point of condensing boilers, combi boilers and heat pumps, which are new generation heat sources. In other words, the cost of heating a quantity of water to 80 ̊C (radiator system) is more than the cost of heating water to 50 C (the amount of water used in underfloor heating is about 2 times the amount of water used in underfloor heating is about 2 times the amount) (Since the range where condensation is the most in new generation heat sources is 50 ̊C and below, the efficiency is 20% higher in this range). In addition, looking at the initial installation costs of the system, it is clearly seen that it is the most economical and comfortable heating system in today's conditions.

• No maintenance required
• Flexible room temperature: The temperature of each room can be adjusted to the desired degree via room thermostats.
• Remote connection via mobile app: System settings (room temperature, humidity, etc.) can be monitored or changed remotely.
• Free and aesthetic room design: For small spaces, there are no equipment such as radiators that constrict the house, so the user experiences ease in the decoration of the home and has an aesthetic appearance.
• It is healthy. Since underfloor heating is 80% radiant heating, it does not create an air movement during heating. This both positively affects human comfort and does not allow the dust on the surface to rise into the air and be inhaled, sticking to the wall, tulle and curtains and ceiling and creating a dirty appearance.
• Since the entire surface of the floor is heated, homogeneous heating is provided and the same temperature conditions exist at every point of the room. As in other systems, people in the same space, far away from the heat source, do not get cold and those nearby do not sweat.
• Provides silent operation. Since there is no metal equipment in the house in underfloor heating systems, there is no sound problem since there is no contact with a metallic surface during the expansion and contraction during the heating or cooling of the water.

Differences between Underfloor Heating System and Radiator

The design temperature of a radiator system is around 80 ̊C. However, underfloor heating systems are designed at temperatures of 50 ̊C and below, which is the most efficient operating range of new generation heat sources (such as condensing boilers, boilers and heat pumps). This means that the energy required to bring a volume of water to 80 ̊C is more than the energy required to bring 2 times the volume of water to 50 ̊C. In addition, due to the increase in metal raw material prices after the COVID-19 pandemic, the costs of radiator systems have increased significantly compared to the past. For this reason, the underfloor heating system has become the preferred choice of users and mechanical system designers with its efficiency both during the initial investment and during operation.

What is the Heat Source in Underfloor Heating?

Combi boiler, boiler (fuel type does not matter), heat pump can be used as heat source in water floor heating. If an electric underfloor heating system will be used instead of water underfloor heating, the heat source can also be electricity.

How should the floor covering be applied?

In the underfloor heating system, the most important issue is that the energy loss we have calculated for the coldest day in the project can be provided by the underfloor heating system. Our goal is to carry the temperature of the water coming up to the floor with pipes to the floor slab with minimum loss. Therefore, by placing an insulation panel on the floor concrete, we prevent heat transfer to the space on the lower floor. The density of the insulation panel is important for thermal insulation. Panels with a density of 26-30 kg/m3 should be used in underfloor heating systems. While lower than this cannot provide sufficient insulation, higher density panels will cause us to deviate from the price-benefit balance. Panels can be easily installed as they are interlocking. Oxygen barrier PE-RT or PE-XA pipes with a diameter of 16 mm are laid on the panel. The length and laying frequency of these pipes are calculated by the designer according to the heat loss in the project. After the pipes are laid, a screed of approximately 4-5 cm in height is poured and the floor is made ready for laying. In addition, before the panel is laid, edge insulation tape is adhered to 10-15 cm of the wall in contact with the floor. The purpose here is to prevent the screed from cracking during the linear thermal expansion of the screed while drying.

What are the Types of Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating is of two types. One is water underfloor heating and the other is electric underfloor heating. Water underfloor heating is much more efficient than electric underfloor heating for long-term and indoor use (such as housing, offices, nurseries, pools, baths). Electric underfloor heating is generally more preferred in systems that need to heat up quickly and shut down quickly after the end of use and in open areas. For example, it is effective in places such as mosques where warmth is needed at certain time intervals and in a short period of time. It is also possible to use electric floor heating in outdoor areas such as roads, hangars, parking lot entrances and exits to prevent icing on the floor. If water floor heating is to be used in these applications, antifreeze (ethylene glycol, etc.) should be added to prevent the water used in the system from freezing.

Which One Should We Choose in Underfloor Heating Systems?

If the area where you will apply underfloor heating is an indoor area that requires long-term heating, your choice of water type underfloor heating will reduce the fuel bill you will pay during the operation of the system. However, if you need short-term heating and need to heat up and cool down quickly or if it is an open space application, you can choose an electric type floor heating type.

Which Floor Types Can I Use?

Since the floor is a heat emitter in the underfloor heating system, the high heat conductivity of the flooring to be placed on the floor will cause an increase in efficiency. Therefore, the most suitable flooring type for underfloor heating can be called marble, tile, natural stone, ceramic. The next most closely following flooring is laminate flooring. When buying parquet, it is important to question the temperature resistance of the material. It is important not to use floor coverings that will adversely affect heat conduction such as carpets, and even if they are to be used as decor, the surface area should be small and the thickness should be small.

What are the Most Commonly Used Underfloor Heating Systems?

The most widely used type of underfloor heating in Turkey and in the world due to the cost of electricity is water underfloor heating. Because water floor heating is both more environmentally friendly and compatible with more economical energy sources.

Can I Install Underfloor Heating Later?

If you already have a house and want to convert the heating system to underfloor heating, it is necessary to check whether the ceiling and door heights are suitable. There are some floor applications applied instead of screed in renovation projects. These will ensure that the ceiling height of the house is minimally affected. But first, your home needs to be explored through the underfloor heating authority.

Which material should be used to lay the floor after laying the underfloor heating pipes?

Since the floor is a heat emitter in the underfloor heating system, the high heat conductivity of the flooring to be placed on the floor will cause an increase in efficiency. Therefore, the most suitable flooring type for underfloor heating can be called marble, tile, natural stone, ceramic. The next most closely following flooring is laminate flooring. When buying parquet, it is important to question the temperature resistance of the material. It is important not to use floor coverings that will adversely affect heat conduction such as carpets, and even if they are to be used as decor, the surface area should be small and the thickness should be small.

What is the Lifetime of the Underfloor Heating System?

Most of the system used in underfloor heating consists of PE-based pipes. The life of these pipes is 50 years. They also do not need any maintenance. If there is an air formation in the system, the air exhaust purifier in the collector located right next to the apartment door ensures that the air in the system is removed.

Is underfloor heating better or honeycomb?

Energy efficiency is higher with underfloor heating, both during installation and operation of the system. In addition, the most suitable system for ideal comfort conditions is the underfloor heating system. Because the human foot area is always colder than the head area. Thanks to the underfloor heating system, the human body provides a more homogeneous heating. In the radiator system, the heated air rises and the air that cools and increases in density moves downwards. In this case, the floor is 4-5 degrees colder than the ceiling. This causes the feet not to warm up and therefore does not provide a homogeneous body temperature.

Does underfloor heating work with a boiler?

Yes, it does.

Can carpets be used in a house with underfloor heating?

Floor coverings such as carpets that will adversely affect heat conduction should not be used, and even if they are to be used as decor, care should be taken to ensure that the surface area is small and the thickness is small.

How is underfloor heating reflected on the bill?

Underfloor heating systems operate at least 20% more economically due to the efficient operating range of new heat sources. In addition, since the underfloor heating system heats the entire floor, the temperature of the house continues to be maintained even hours after the system is switched off. This is reflected positively on the invoice. In addition, with room thermostats, you can set the temperature of the room you do not use lower and the rooms you use at higher temperatures. This is one of the important factors that will reduce the fuel bill of the house.

Is underfloor heating economical?

It is economical.

How much electricity does underfloor heating consume?

The water underfloor heating system works with a boiler that consumes natural gas or renewable energy fuels. The underfloor heating system has an electric actuator, wired room thermostat and control unit. These devices operate with a very small amount of electricity. This can be considered negligible in the electricity bill of the house. If you are using underfloor heating with a heat pump, your electricity consumption can be calculated by looking at information such as the size of the house, the outdoor temperature of the city where the house is located, the CoP value of the heat pump. In short, if the heat pump is used as the heat source, not the underfloor heating system itself, electricity consumption will be mentioned. This value can also be obtained from the heat pump manufacturer.

Can a house with central heating be converted to underfloor heating?

Yes, it can. But at this point, it will be useful for an authorized person to make a discovery about underfloor heating based on the ceiling and door height of the house.

How to install underfloor heating in an old building?

If you already have a house and want to convert the heating system to underfloor heating, it is necessary to check whether the ceiling and door heights are suitable. There are some floor applications that are applied instead of screed in renovation projects. These will ensure that the ceiling height of the house is minimally affected. But first, your home needs to be explored through the underfloor heating authority