This high demand for comfort naturally also applied to the heat distribution. Originally, a classic underfloor heating system was planned. In joint discussions, the client, construction company, specialist planner p.i. Dario Lecchi, installer Paolo Oppizzi and Diego Bossini, Account Manager at Uponor, then made a different decision: they chose the Uponor Minitec solution – a wet construction system with a particularly low installation height, specially designed for retrofitting underfloor heating. "The Minitec system is very thin, but still offers a high thermal output and good sound insulation – the acoustic aspect in particular was very important to the client," says planner Dario Lecchi from Bolgare. The installation company OP Termoidraulica from Cenate Sotto was also very satisfied with the chosen product: "The system is really very easy and quick to install, which is always important in view of the schedule and the budget. I would use it again and recommend it to anyone who does our work," explains installer Paolo Oppizzi. In addition, the project team was able to achieve the desired energy class B with Uponor Minitec. A building in this class consumes less than 50 KW/h of heat per square metre per year, with five cubic metres of natural gas per square metre expected annually.
Many layers on 34 millimetres
Uponor Minitec package with XPS thermal and acoustic insulation with low thickness screed is a certified system. Its good characteristic values are the result of close cooperation between the Uponor, Isolmant and Knauf brands. To combine thermal and sound insulation, the IsolTile acoustic mat from Isolmant is laid first, followed by the XPS extruded polystyrene insulation with a compressive strength of 400 Kpa. The Minitec panels from Uponor are glued on top of this. They consist of a self-adhesive foil element and PE-Xa 9.9 mm system pipes – these are particularly robust and flexible pipes that also allow narrow bending strips. In combination with the self-levelling screed Knauf NE425, this creates a system with a total thickness of 34 mm that achieves a noise reduction value of 21 dB.
Positive feedback
A total of 1,800 sqm of Minitec panels, 1,800 sqm of XPS insulation and 18,000 metres of pipe have been installed in the AREA 2.4 building complex. After laying the heating circuits, the pipe ends were connected to the Uponor Vario M heating circuit distributor. Like any underfloor heating system, the Minitec system is quick to regulate – resulting in a high level of user comfort – and very energy efficient due to the low system temperatures. Uponor was on hand to advise the team throughout the project.
