As the name suggests, water-based underfloor heating works by heating water . This heated water then flows through pipes (also called water hoses) that are incorporated into the floor. The pipes transfer the heat to the floor, which makes the entire floor heats evenly . In fact, you turn the entire floor into a large radiator .
The heat for the pipes is produced by your central heating system , heat pump or is provided by the District heating . From the heat source, the hot water flows to a distributor. This distributor (control unit) is the heart of your heating system. The distributor ensures that the hot water flows through the pipes in the floor. Depending on the surface area, the underfloor heating consists of several circuits. Each circuit can have a maximum length of 100 meters. On the distributor, you can adjust which circuits receive more or less hot water. This allows you to accurate different spaces to heat .
Traditional heating with radiators uses water at a high temperature . After all, a relatively small radiator must heat the entire room. Due to the large surface area used in underfloor heating, the heating system does not need to be much less heat per square meter to be delivered. This is why underfloor heating works with a lot lower temperatures than traditional heating. The water in the pipes is heated by underfloor heating between 30 and 40 degrees . An additional advantage of the large surface is the even distribution from the heat. In addition, underfloor heating saves you money energy costs .
Underfloor heating in existing floors
Nowadays, water-based underfloor heating can be installed in almost All floors are processed . Both existing and new floors. At existing floors Can the pipes be milled into the screed? There are also solutions that can be placed on the floor, such as ThinMat system or a Dry-build system . This is only possible if there is sufficient space, as this raises the floor slightly.
Underfloor heating in new floors
Are you at the to renovate or do you have a new build house , then you can easy to install in the screed or leveling mortar yet to be applied. The pipes are first fixed to the (insulated) subfloor. Various methods are available for this. If there is insulation in the floor, the pipes can knotted be on steel nets . If there is no insulation and you want to add it, you can use insulated stud plates or Tacker insulation where the pipes are attached. Then the screed is applied.
