Underfloor heating
Underfloor – underrated? A heating system that’s here to stay
The domestic market has embraced underfloor heating whole-heartedly, but it actually owes much of its early development to the commercial sector. Today, it is a suitable choice for many commercial settings, either on its own or in combination with other heating forms, as Michelle Taylor explains
MUCH OF THE appeal in com- mercial settings is in the very nature of underfloor heating. By placing it in the floor, it is well protected and is unaffected by some of the wear and tear that it could receive in some settings. One of the earliest sectors to adopt underfloor was the educa- tion sector, as architects and prop- erty managers responsible for edu- cational buildings could see the potential of a well-controlled heat emitter which was effectively hid- den away in a potentially demand- ing environment. This would also have benefits, it was rapidly realised, for other commercial applications such as care homes, hotels, and offices. Energy efficient underfloor heating delivers heating where it is most needed, at ground level, and steadily warms each space until comfort is achieved, then main- tains it cost effectively. It therefore works particularly well in settings with well-established routines in terms of their users. Commercial properties have quite predictable requirements in comparison with domestic settings, so the sector is naturally disposed to benefitting from the energy savings that a carefully controlled underfloor heating system can give.
In schools, retail outlets and
offices which are not occupied around the clock, the heating sys- tem can be programmed to be at an optimum temperature when building users arrive and to main- tain it with ease throughout the learning or working day; and it can be timed to start cooling down a little ahead of closing time so that no energy is wasted during the building’s unoccupied hours. In hotels, hospitals or care homes, however, steady warmth is required throughout the 24-hour period, making underfloor one of the most cost effective heating options. As hotel occupancy can be more seasonal, the flexibility of underfloor heating with zoned control allows hotels to turn off
Myson’s Floortec Microboard means underfloor heating is no longer just a ground floor product
the system in unoccupied areas in less busy times, giving significant savings in overheads.
Locating the heat emitter under- floor not only makes better use of the available space, allowing more use of walls for storage or desk space, it also makes it less vulner- able to damage, which could arise from being struck by moving fur- niture or heavy bags. Underfloor heating is a must for many multipurpose areas, again largely in the hotel and education sectors. In schools, a single space may be used as an assembly hall, a lunch hall, additional classroom space, and for sitting examinations – even for indoor sports. In hotels and conference centres, it is increasingly important to be able to offer flexible spaces for differ- ent sized events and underfloor heating facilitates this with ease. Keeping walls clear of heat emit- ters helps to make the space truly versatile. As occupancy varies greatly in hotels on conference and non-conference days zoned underfloor heating becomes a huge bonus. Underfloor heating is also silent, which can be vital in a school examination or classroom space and also in places of worship. Replacing outdated heating sys-
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Myson’s TouchScreen Thermostat
tems with a new, energy efficient silent underfloor system should be on the shortlist in any refurbish- ment project in community based locations such as these, as well as a first choice for newbuild proj- ects. In hospitality and care appli- cations, the benefits of a silent heating system in aiding sleep and wellbeing are obvious.
The safety benefits of an under- floor heating system are also con- siderable. They bring no risk of small children or vulnerable elder- ly people coming into contact with overheated pipework or radi- ators and there is no danger of trapped hands or accidental scald- ing. In many schools, young chil-
dren are expected to sit on the floor for learning sessions and assemblies; the underfloor heating system will make this a pleasure as well as a safe option. Underfloor heating systems, thanks to their lower operating temperatures, also encouraged the use of heat sources such as heat pumps, and fostered the use of renewable energy in its infancy. Underfloor heating is very versa- tile in that it can be used equally well with great efficiency with either a renewable heat source or a traditional boiler.
As manufacturers, we have done much to make retrofitting underfloor heating more feasible in existing properties and on upper floors. New products such as Myson’s Microboard allow hydronic underfloor heating to be installed in a very low profile fix- ing system of just a couple of cen- timetres and with a wide variety of floor coverings, so it no longer needs to be viewed as a ground floor or newbuild product alone. For commercial premises,
underfloor heating is definitely here to stay as one of the indus- try’s most versatile and energy effi- cient heating solutions. • Michelle Taylor is the product manager for Myson Underfloor Heating
HVR | May 2016 | 26
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