Introduction of Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is a form of central heating which utilizes radiant heat for indoor climate control, rather than forced air heating which relies on convection. Heat can be provided by circulating heated water within a pipe network under the floor surface as figure show right.

Underfloor heating can be used with concrete and wooden floors, with all types of floor covering (e.g., stone, tile, wood, vinyl, and carpet), and at ground level or upstairs. Choice of floor finishing requires careful consideration, because changes of floor finish may affect performance.

Underfloor heating is fast becoming the most popular form of heating. In most forms it is inexpensive to install, economical to run, there is no maintenance and above all the heat distribution is total.

Underfloor heating versa wall mounted radiator

Radiant heating is arguably superior to convection methods, because warm, buoyant air rises wastefully to the ceiling, warming the upper body (often with some discomfort, particularly to the head) but leaving the lower body cooler.

Underfloor heating warms the lower part of both the room and the body because when warm air convects from the radiant floor surface, it loses approximately 2°C at two meters above the floor. This imparts a feeling of natural warmth, since the limbs should ideally be warmer than the head.

Asthma sufferers may benefit from underfloor heating because it reduces the airborne circulation of both dust and dust mites.

Underfloor heating is invisible from above and does not use valuable wall space with unsightly heating equipment. You have more freedom to move furnish around.

It’s safer since there is no hot surface to touch; there is no mounted radiator that gets in a way.

Due to lower temperature requirement, the heater components can operate at lower temperature hence more reliable and more efficiently.

Just imagine, would it feel wonderful when you walk on heated floor with your bare feet!

Basic component of the underfloor heating system

Essentially the basic component is an extremely durable type of pipe which is laid down in a specific pattern to maximize heat dispersion. The pipe networks from several rooms are then connected to a distribution module (manifold) where it attached to a heater unit such as GSHP or gas boiler.

Since the fossil fuel based boiler provide higher temperature than GSHP, a temperature regulator is used to reduces temperature to acceptable level for the underfloor heating.

Insulator layer is the first layer to be placed, this minimize heat losses into soils or rooms beneath it. The next layer is pipe network, which made of durable PEx material or multi-layer PEx with aluminum. Once completed and fully tested, the cement is poured and laid flat. The cement layer acts as a heat storage. We finish the surface with tiles or laminate wood. The overall depth is roughly 100mm depending on floor and building type.

For more information, please download Oventrop Underfloor Heating Brochure

Will the underfloor pipe burst? Beware of unprofessional plumber who tends to install cheapest material possible such as PVC pipes or low grade PE pipes. They are unsuitable because they easily fractured. Once fracture the water leaks out, causing significant damage to buildings.   This is the reason why EnergyFree Technology become a sale representative for the Oventrop company so we can offer you high quality, germany made, underfloor heating components.     Oventrop offer has two range of pipes:

CoPipe is a higher spec, more durable multi-layer pipe consisting composition of PE-X / Aluminum / PE-X. It feature Max. pressure and temperature load bearing capacity: 10 bar, 95°C; 16 bar, 20°C   Copex is a standard low cost plastic pipe made of crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X) with oxygen barrier. Max. pressure and temperature load bearing capacity: 6 bar, 90°C; 10 bar, 60°C

Why it work best with Ground Source Heat Pump system?

Fossil fuel or electric heater provide temperature of 60-70C and therefore work best with wall mounted radiators. On other hand the Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) provides temperature of 45C, therefore it will not work well with small radiators. GSHP work best with underfloor heating systems that provide good space heating with water of 35-50°C.

What is the installation cost?

Roughly speaking it ranges between €25-€35 Euro per m², depending on house layout and type of heating. We offer a special quotation when it comes with GSHP system.

Did you know.....

Underfloor heating was first used by the Romans. Initially the preserve of the rich, underfloor heating became increasingly commonplace in public buildings and villas, particularly in the colder regions of the Roman Empire.

Our Service to you

We're a specialist company for central heating system architect and installation, including Oventrop underfloor heating, fan coils convector (Jaga and Klima range) and HVAC system.

We offer underfloor architect and installation for existing or new residential home, public, commercial or industrial building. Alternatively we can architect the project and supply you underfloor kits for competence plumbers.

We happy to accepts order from developer or plumber and prepare kit for your collection or delivery to your address. We offer special discount for large order.

Developer and competence plumber can depend on us for supply of Oventrop components and technical advice.

We're member of American Society Heating Refrigerating Air-Conditioning Engineer (ASHRAE) and International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), you can trust us of our technical expertise when it come to heating technology.

For more information, please download Oventrop Underfloor Heating Brochure

Visit our Oventrop website for a summary of our product range