UNDERFLOOR HEATING
CONSERVATORY CLUES
Whilst some installers believe it is not possible to install underfloor heating in conservatories because of the heat loss, there are other installers that believe underfloor heating can be installed in the same way as any other room. So who is right? The answer, actually, lies somewhere inbetween.
some carefully prepared instructions, then a conservatory underfloor heating system construction is it.
Uponor’s Applications Manager, Neil Young, says that while conservatory systems with Uponor are always
Many companies that provide underfloor heating systems claim to be able to install it in conservastories without any problems. But while many systems are very straightforward to install in this sometimes difficult room, it is important to follow some simple guidelines to ensure that they provide the years of comfort and satisfaction that they are supposed to.
Uponor Limited are one such company that can provide underfloor heating for conservatories, in fact they can provide heating systems for all building types, from one bedroom flats to large public buildings. But if there is one specific area of Uponor installations that require
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satisfying and straightforward to install, some key features are always
worth remembering during the process. Read on for Neil’s expert advice and tips.
U Value Conservatory constructions typically have high heat losses compared to the main building structure; so where ever possible, minimise the heat load required. The lower the U-value the better; walls, roofs and floors all matter. U Value is the measurement of the rate of heat loss through a material, so the lower the U Value, the less heat will be needlessly escaping.
Insulation Install insulation in the floor construction and use a quality product that is at least 50mm thick. Insulate the floor and wall interface
as this will reduce heat losses to outside walls.
Air tightness of the construction matters too, and joints and junctions of walls, roofs and floors should be adequately sealed. Install the floor insulation layer between the floor slab and screed; this reduces heating reaction times and increases the system’s potential heat output.
Floor construction Floor construction will determine how effectively your system transfers heat energy. A high mass floor construction, i.e. screed floor, offers the least path of resistance and is capable of emitting more heat than timber suspended floors – always us a screeded floor construction (with insulation).
The conservatory The conservatory pipe loop(s) should not be shared by adjoining rooms, as this will compromise one or both rooms’ output and make one of the rooms either too hot or cold.
Your conservatory‘s underfloor heating system circuits should be designed with extra capacity, should it be required, and they should not be the index circuit. If in doubt, install an extra loop and make them shorter. Higher heat loads typically require higher water temperatures compared to
the rest of the building. Ideally the conservatory underfloor heating system should be served by its own manifold with its own water temperature controls. If you decrease the underfloor heating pipe pitch this will lower the water temperature required and/or increase the system’s potential output; more pipe is best. You will also need to consider the pipe layout pattern used. Your underfloor heating designer should be able to advise the best layout for your conservatory. Some provide additional heating where it’s required, others a more even temperature throughout.
Finally, use a thin solid floor finish, such as ceramic floor tiles, as they offer minimal resistance to heat transfer and absorb solar energy during sunny days. And, last but not least; be realistic. Would you really expect indoor lounge air temperatures in your conservatory during the depths of winter?
Uponor is a leading supplier of plumbing and indoor climate systems for the resdinetial and commercial building markets acrros Europe and North America and a market leader in municipal infrastructure pipe systems in the Nordic countries.
www.uponor.com
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
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