The concept
of floor heating has been used for centuries and involves
water flowing in pipes embedded within the building
construction.
This is usually in the floor, but velta can also utilise walls
and ceilings.
Warm
water is circulated through high quality velta
PE-Xa pipes heating the construction
materials which then transmit the heat from the surface into
the space as…
60% radiant heat
40% convective
heat
the way forward
The benefits associated with velta floor heating
are now widely recognised…
Invisible – embedded
within the structure nothing is visible, helping to create
more aesthetically pleasing surroundings.
Space – nothing hanging
on the wall or projecting from the ceiling. Freedom to design
without restrictions.
Silent – minimal moving
parts, helping to provide a tranquil environment
Healthy – floor
heating is a healthy heating system – (see
why »)
Hygienic
Comfort – higher levels
of comfort in the work and living space. Warm feet – cool head the ideal
profile for the human body.
Energy Efficient – using
low temperature water and minimum energy we are able to utilise…
Solar energy
Geothermal
Condensing boilers
Wood burners
Heat pumps
Floor heating is now
providing a solution to the heating requirement in many types
of buildings bringing the benefits to more people than ever
before.
In Germany, the home country of velta, more than 60% of new build homes are floor
heated whilst 18% of all industrial and
commercial heating utilises the floor
surface.
so why the reticence
to use floor heating?(see
why »)
Because it is within the floor?
Cannot be seen?
Don’t know when you have a problem with
it?
Frightened of leaks?
Be hot to walk on – make your ankles
swell?
It’s new – don’t understand
it – what’s wrong with radiators - cost?
the list of objections
is not exhaustive...but let's think opportunity not threat!
It is understandable that if you
can’t see something it could be construed as a potential
hazard, although why would you need to see the pipes anyway?
The pipes are laid into the floor construction.
Pipes with the correct DIN certification
are designed for this purpose and will last the lifetime
of the property – in other words, check the pedigree
of the pipe!
You can have problems with any form
of heating, but with a quality floor heating system that
provides manifolds that have been designed for floor heating,
the flow and return water temperatures are visible, ensuring
that you are always aware of what is happening in the floor.
If a leak occurs…how did it happen?
Put a nail through a pipe when fitting something on top of
the system? Easy
answer…would anybody put a nail into a radiator?
If a leak does occur, it is a simple
job of isolating the leak – baring and simply replacing
the damaged pipe. The repair will not affect the system at
all!
Because only warm water – typically
40-55°c – is passing through the pipes…unlike
a traditional radiator system where the temperatures are
in the region of 80°c…the mass of the floor is
being heated which is why there is a gentle warmth. The temperature
of the floor is not even as warm as the palm of your hand!
so...what about control?
Control is critical to
the correct and effective operation of any heating system. Good
control and design is important because this will lead to more
efficient self-regulation of the heating and cooling system.
Control should be considered
in two areas…
Room control - controlling
the temperature in the individual rooms usually by the
use of a room thermostat or sensor.
Water control - varying
the supply water temperature as a function of the outside
air temperature, is an effective way of controlling the
heat output from the floor heating abd cooling system,
ensuring that only the minimum energy required is transferred
into the floor mass.
The installation of a floor heating system
is a key element.
There are two ways of doing things…one
is right, the other isn’t!
Which is why velta
employs our own professional installation and commissioning
engineers to ensure the velta floor heating
systems are installed correctly and efficiently.
However, if there is a requirement
for the floor heating system to be installed by the clients ‘preferred
installer’, velta will will insist that proper training – free
of charge – is given before installation takes place.
applications are? ...everywhere!
No restrictions – the
next time you walk around your garden centre that is like a
retail outlet, or play tennis at the indoor
sports hall – think floor heating. The next time a large
industrial unit requires heating – think floor heating.
The next time you are in an office block and wonder ‘why
is this office warm on cold days and cool on hot days’ – think
floor heating and cooling! and by the way, floor heating in houses…?!
In terms of cost as well as energy efficiency, the actual capital
cost of a floor heating system can prove very attractive…food
for thought!
So, when choosing a floor heating system, please check
it out to make sure it will do what it claims...
A new way of thinking!
Floor
heating systems are one thing, but floor heating and
cooling from the same system? The function of
a water based floor heating system (using the velta classic
sstem and the velta tecto 2 system) where the pipes are
laid into the floor construction, can also
be reversed to provide a cooling system. This means that twice
the benefit is gained from the floor surface.
High quality PE-Xa pipes embedded within a low thermal mass
screed or high thermal mass structural slab (the velta contec
system) are utilised for both heating and cooling requirements.
Dependant
upon requirements, either warm or cold water can be used.
Warm water (typically 30-45°C) is passed through
the pipes for heating purposes, and chilled water (typically
15 - 19°C) for cooling requirements.
For well-designed buildings with low heating and cooling
loads, the thermal mass of the building could be maintained
by using water at 21°C. The system would
then heat the room at temperatures below 21°C (the floor radiating heat)
and cool the space at temperatures above 21°C (the floor absorbing heat).
The system is not only restricted to the floor but can also utilise the ceiling
and walls for both heating and cooling purposes.
The increase of internal
loads from people and equipment – computers, copiers
and water fountains all give off heat!
Global warming – we all
have a responsibility!
We are demanding and
striving for better levels of comfort in the work and
living space.
So what
are the benefits of floor heating and cooling?
Greater comfort levels
Floor heating and cooling
systems are invisible
No noise
No uncomfortable air
movement
Provides a healthy and
more hygienic environment
Environmentally friendly – can
utilise renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal
and ground heat exchanges
Energy efficient - low
temperature heating water (30 - 45°C), high temperature
cooling water (15 - 19°C)
Low installation and
running costs - up to 40% savings in capital expenditure
and running costs compared to alternative systems
Low maintenance costs
- pipes embedded safely within the floor (no ductwork
to accomodate or clean)
The pipe lasts the lifetime
of the building
No more talk of sick building
syndrome!
You will really notice
the difference!
There
are none of the common problems and discomforts associated
with other forms of cooling such as air conditioning. Floor
heating and cooling is a natural method
of providing new levels of comfort. During the summer, even in this country,
solar gain is represented by a rise in room temperatures and if there
were ways
to reduce temperatures in those rooms by say 20%, would you be interested? Naturally,
control of the floor heating and cooling system is the key (the velta vivaldi
control
system).
This
practical solution only previously presented to 'big' buildings
in the commercial world is testimony to the effective
success of this technology. Now velta floor
heating and cooling systems can be utilised in all types of building: Domestic, commercial and industrial
