A Buying Guide for Water Underfloor Heating
Starting out in researching what is required for a Wet Underfloor Heating project is a somewhat daunting task. VPS Underfloor Heating have everything you’ll need and have put the following guide together to help you understand exactly what you will need.
In this guide we will answer the following 6 questions:
- What is Water or Wet Underfloor Heating?
- How do Water UFH Systems work?
- What are the benefits of Water Underfloor Heating?
- What kind of project is a Water UFH system suitable for?
- Which type of Wet UFH Pipe is required ?
- What VPS UFH system do we recommend?
What is Water or Wet Underfloor Heating?
An underfloor heating manifold is connected to a heat source such as a a boiler or air source or ground-source heat pump. Pipes are run from this manifold under the floor of every room and warm water is circulated through these pipes floor to heat up the floor.
A thermostat (there can be more than one depending on the number of zones) is fitted to your system so you can control the room temperature. Floor temperature can also be controlled which is important for some timber floors with maximum temperatures.
How do Water UFH Systems work?
Installation
Once you have decided on what sort of system you require from our range, the installation itself is straightforward enough but one that should be completed by a professional plumber or heating engineer. The floor pipes can be laid down in various patterns that provide optimal heat distribution and are connected with our Manifolds, Mixing Unit and Control Centre, to the boiler. You can also install wet underfloor heating using alternative heat sources such as a solar thermal, bio-mass, ground source or air source heat pumps
Manifolds
Manifolds are used in wet underfloor heating systems to control the flow of water through the system to provide an even, comfortable warmth across the whole floor. The manifold acts as the hub of a heating system connecting both your supply and return lines in a central place.
A manifold is made up of a flow manifold and a return manifold. The flow manifold features flow meters that clearly indicate the flow rate achieved in each loop.
Each loop on the return bar has a valve to open/close the loop – this is normally controlled by an actuator valve, which responds to the call for heat from a room thermostat.
Smart Thermostats
A wet underfloor system, once installed, will be wired up to a Smart Thermostat , so not only will you have complete control over the UFH system in your home but from anywhere you might be. Smart Thermostats connect to the internet and with an equivalent app on your iPhone or Android device, you can turn your heating on before heading home from work or even when returning from holiday.
The smart thermostat will communicate with the wiring system that will in turn speak to the UFH heating system and will detect when a specific zone has reached it’s ideal temperature. Once the main heating circuit reaches a flow temperature of between 55-75°C and the stat asks for more heat the control unit will start. When the room’s required air temperature is reached, the smart stat will turn off the heating.
What are the benefits of Water Underfloor Heating?
1. Wet Underfloor Heating is compact and efficient
Wet Underfloor Heating systems once installed are compact, efficient and all the various components are essentially hidden from view. With no unsightly radiators making your walls ugly you will be left with a lot more room space.
2. Very cost effective in the long-term
A water based underfloor heating system, while not cheap to install, will result in cheaper heating bills in the long-term. Additionally an underfloor heating system will add a great deal of value to your property.
3. Reduction in your water heating costs
Wet Underfloor systems heat water at a much lower temperature compared to a standard radiator so you will see a reduction in your water heating costs.
4. Smart Stat Control from anywhere
A wet underfloor system, once installed, will be wired up to a Smart Thermostat , so not only will you have complete control the UFH system in your home but from anywhere you might be. Smart Thermostats connect to the internet and with an equivalent app on your iPhone or Android device, you can turn your heating on before heading home from work or even when returning from holiday.
5. Virtually no maintenance
Again, once professionally installed, your wet underfloor heating system will require virtually no maintenance. The pipes used are plastic and normally guaranteed for around 50 years depending on the supplier. No more costly call outs to fix a dodgy radiator.
What kind of project is a Water UFH system suitable for?
Water underfloor heating is suitable for both new builds and where a renovation is taking place. It is ideal for new builds as floor heights have not yet been established. Wet underfloor heating can also be installed as a retrofit.
Which type of Wet UFH Pipe is required ?
We stock WRAS approved PEX AL PEX underfloor heating pipe.
Underfloor Heating Pipe PEX AL PEX, made from a 5 layer composite material using PEX (Co-extruded Cross-Linked Polyethylene) as the inner and outer layers coupled with a 0.2 mm thick aluminium core with butt welded construction.
Maximum operating pressure 12.5bar; maximum operating temperature 95oC, Highly energy efficient due to the aluminium inner core technology.
Underfloor Heating Pipe PEX AL PEX is easy to install and holds its shape once positioned and it comes with a 25 year manufacturers warranty.
What VPS UFH system do we recommend?
We recommend you take a look at our range of Complete Single Zone Water Underfloor Heating Kits or get in touch if you would like some advice on the kind of system you are looking for.
Who are we?
VPS Underfloor Heating are able to answer any question you might have in regards your upcoming project or installation and stock a range of top-quality underfloor heating products from some of the most recognised names in the business including: Grundfos, Heatmiser, ProWarm, ESBE and Salus Controls.
Give us a call on 0141 459 3141 to talk to one of the team or choose one of the options below and attach your plans and we’ll get back to you with a breakdown of what you’ll require to get your installation up and running.
