Underfloor heating design criteria

Producing a sensible and accurate underfloor heating design is very similar to any other heating system, all the information required must be gathered and calculations carried out to determine heat losses and pipe requirements.

There are subtle differences attached to some aspects of the calculation process that differ from those employed when calculating for convective systems, the main differences are downward losses from the floor heating system itself, and in the case of large volume buildings the actual volume requirement to be included in the calculation.

The radiant effect enables the designer to apply lower internal design temperatures with no decrease in comfort level, this point alone will mean a reduction of around 8% in fabric heat losses.

The most important point is that heat loss calculations must be done, and they are best done by the floor heating designer, it is after all the floor heating company that will be expected to guarantee the performance of the system.

Although the mechanical aspects of design are very important, control of the system is essential.

Floor heating systems require controls to set or modulate the mean water temperature and manage the room comfort levels, any equipment used to achieve this must be designed into the complete system in a way that allows interaction with any other units.

Begetube floor heating designs always incorporate the correct controls, we understand and support the requirements of energy conservation in buildings, and have a programme of research and development for testing new methods and controls.

The information required to produce a design and specification is listed below:

• Scale floor plans
• Elevations
• Details of floor construction
• Floor coverings if known

Once a system design has been produced, it is important that the specifier or architect should inform the designer of any changes to the building plans.  Even a small change can have a knock on effect to the floor heating.

Begetube design work is indemnified.

All rooms or areas will be temperature controlled, except in some cases it may be necessary to link a very small room such as a toilet onto an adjoining area circuit.