UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Unlike conventional heating, in underfloor heating, the pipes are not used to supply a radiator, but play the role of the thermal element themselves, running through the floor in the form of a superimposed layer or meander and in combination with a special composition of thermal concrete that covers them, they deliver the heat to the room. Underfloor heating has been applied mainly in the last two decades, however, few people know that this system was already known in ancient times as archaeological research has shown that during Roman times the underfloor heating system was successfully used. Later on, the system was forgotten and the first attempts to reintroduce it, at the beginning of this century, were unsuccessful since the pipes used were metallic and easily corroded. In the 1970s, the development of the plastics and insulating materials industry allowed the system to be successfully applied by today's standards.

In an underfloor heating system, the basic equipment used is the same as in conventional systems: burner, boiler, circulator, and any fuel (oil, gas, etc.) can be used. The difference lies in the fact that the final recipient of the hot water are not the radiators but the floor itself, which acts as a radiator. Once the floor has been insulated below, a system of pipes is laid out which carry the hot water over its entire surface.

Σύστημα ενδοδαπέδιας θέρμανσης

The main operating principle of underfloor heating is the use of the floor as a radiator. The pipes distribute the heat to the rooms with a lower inlet water temperature. Due to the lack of air bubbles in the heating installation the heat is diffused into the interior space. In addition, the dense layering of the pipes near the exterior walls intercepts cooling, while their thinner layering inside the rooms allows for lower transmission of heat loads. Thanks to the low floor temperatures, which do not exceed 28°C, there is no violent movement of gas masses.

The pipes distribute the heat where it is needed (and not in the basement or on the outer walls) and yield with minimal inertia and with a lower temperature of the adduction water. Thus, the floor is slowly heated and radiates heat into the air.By this way a uniform heating of the air is generated, from the bottom up, and not a concentration of the heating near the bodies.

Thus, the floor radiates heat, that is evenly distributed in the space, without creating aesthetic problems, as radiators in conventional heating systems do. Also, it creates an ideal atmosphere and a healthy environment to the people living on site, as the heat distribution keeps warm feet and a cold head. Due to the low temperature of the floor radiation, dehumidification of the room is minimized and the disadvantages of conventional heating systems either with radiators or fun coils are eliminated.

Ενδοδαπέδια θέρμανση φωτο. 02
Ενδοδαπέδια θέρμανση φωτο. 01

An underfloor heating installation can work perfectly with almost all types of energy sources, with the most ideal combination being the choice of using a heat pump, as low intake temperatures help reduce the consumption of the heat pump. It is also necessary to have a three or four-way mixing valve and a suitable compensation system so that the supply water does not exceed 45°C, regardless of the kind of boiler used.

Like all heating systems, conventional or "alternative", underfloor heating has its weak points, perhaps the main disadvantage is that it is a system of great inertia. In practice, this means that it takes some time to understand the various commands we give to it (on-off, temperature changes). Thus, once we put the system into operation, some time is necessary until our space warms up.

Underfloor heating is therefore intended for heating applications with several hours of operation per day in order to be efficient (both in terms of the heating it provides and to take advantage of its low operating costs). Thus, if a consumer has heating requirements that are less than 5-6 hours per day, underfloor heating might not be the ideal system as it will have to operate for more hours than it actually needs to in order to be efficient.

Pipes that are used for this system: RETIFLEX-NOXY, FLEXITHERM-NOXY, OCTATHERM-NOXY, ALPERTSOL and NOXY-AL.

Skip to content