Underfloor heating and cooling
FAQ
Radiant heating and cooling systems are provided with warm water in winter and cold water in summer. The systems use water pipes which heat or cool surfaces in the room, for example the floor, the ceiling, or a wall, which then emit this warm/cool temperature to the room itself. These systems are extremely energy-efficient, especially when used together with renewable energies, for example in combination with a heat pump as energy source. This combination reduces a buildings’ primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In winter, the floor surface can be heated with a lower temperature than radiators, as it covers a bigger area. As a result, the system gets even more efficient. Whether heating or cooling, radiant systems spread the heat or cold evenly, thus ensuring a pleasant temperature at all times. For integrating the cooling case, it is recommended to lay the pipes at a closer distance during the construction phase.
When a room temperature control for the radiant heating system is also used for cooling, its technology has to be ‘cooling-ready’, thus facilitating a switch from heating to cooling as required. Systems such as the Uponor Smatrix control technology open the manifold valves for summer cooling when the ambient temperature rises – i.e., working on exactly the opposite principle as in winter. In heating mode, the valves close when the ambient temperature rises.
Sustainability and comfort are top priorities in any new build or renovation project. Moreover, well-being is a key factor in residential buildings: The right conditions have a beneficial effect on people’s health, ambient temperature has a significant impact on well-being. Additionally, because of climate change, the number of hot days and tropical nights is increasing. Therefore, radiant heating and cooling systems are getting more and more popular in new and existing properties. They are exceptionally energy-efficient and ensure pleasantly comfortable temperatures all year round
In general, radiant heating and cooling systems are exceptionally energy-efficient on account of even temperature distribution and low flow temperatures. Ceiling radiant heating and cooling systems for example are more cost efficient than air heating/cooling systems, because of ongoing energy savings. Uponor Underfloor heating and cooling solutions help to reduce energy costs up to 20% in some cases. If you cool via the ceiling, people feel comfortable in the room already at about 26 °C due to the radiation exchange. In comparison: If one cools with an air conditioner, the room temperature must be cooled down to about 23 °C to achieve the same feeling of well-being. This panel heating system saves up to 30 percent in energy costs. In addition, water based radiant systems are flexible to use heating and cooling energy from fossil sources, traditional chillers, and modern reversible heat pumps as well as from geothermal applications. These multi-functionality runs silent and at lowest costs if optimized and hydraulic balanced. Potential additional costs associated with investing in systems capable of cooling also need to be weighed against significantly improved levels of domestic comfort.
Sure. Ceiling heating is usually a custom solution in renovation projects for cooling. It is also possible to integrate an underfloor heating and cooling system when renovating. If you already have an existing radiant system, this can be used for cooling as well. Adding radiant cooling to existing radiant cooling can be upgraded with any extra surface at walls and ceilings and to a certain extend also by use of the underfloor installation. Any water-based cooling sources can be used, transfers from different temperature levels can easily done inside heat pumps or with pump groups. Whether renovating or for new buildings, Uponor offers the perfect solutions for the concrete conditions on site.
No – that is one of the main advantages of a radiant heating and cooling system. They enable maximum creative freedom in terms of interior design thanks to their installation in flooring, walls or ceilings. There is no need to worry about furniture blocked by radiators, for example, because all technical parts are hidden away.
The minimum temperature of the floor in summer operation is set at 19°C (20°C where there are sedentary occupations). This means that no one will get cold feet.
There are several possibilities to embed a radiant solution in the ceiling. In residential applications, the most used solutions are plastered or integrated systems on which the piping is already embedded in a prefabricated panel. Dry construction panels like Uponor Renovis for example can be mounted directly on existing walls and ceilings with a substructure made of commercially available CD profiles 27/60. The work is quickly done by a professional installer, so that a house can be quickly renovated even while it is in use. An additional ceiling cooling is also a great option for attics with higher cooling needs in summer.
It has a high influence on the cooling output whether parquet, carpet, tiles or laminate are used as the final surface. While tiles and stone floors conduct heat particularly well, carpets have a high coefficient of resistance. That means they do not conduct heat that well. Parquet flooring also has rather high coefficients of resistance – however, even lower temperatures are perceived as pleasant on wooden floors. The final decision depends on the concrete conditions on site. Uponor’s Minitec Underfloor Heating System for example can be used with all types of floor covering.
Definitely! Radiant heating/cooling solutions stand for a healthy indoor environment. Therefore, they are a very good option for allergy sufferers. Unlike convection heating or fan-based cooling systems – there are no draughts and no swirls of dust.
There is no specific maintenance needed for radiant heating and cooling systems, as they are integrated into the building structure. However, we recommend a regular check of the overall heating and cooling system by an installer to ensure an efficient operation.