HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 101
cues play an important role in comfort, orientation and overall quality of life.
Thermal comfort & the ageing body As we age, our bodies become less effective at regulating temperature. Changes in metabolism, circulation, medication and skin thickness all contribute to increased sensitivity, meaning that even relatively small temperature fl uctuations can feel uncomfortable or unsettling.
Research from the Dementia Research Centre in London has shown that people living with certain forms of dementia are also particularly sensitive to temperature changes. Underfl oor heating helps address this by creating a consistently warm environment from the ground up. Plus, the fl oors remain comfortably warm, eliminating the shock of stepping onto cold surfaces, while heat is evenly distributed, with no hot or cold spots.
Modern UFH systems also offer smart controls, eliminating the need for residents to manage settings themselves. In some care scenarios, this has genuine clinical value as gradually lowering temperatures later in the afternoon, for example, may help manage symptoms associated with ‘sundowning’
problems common in people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Supporting compliance today and tomorrow
The regulatory case is also strengthening. Part O of the Building Regulations places a clear requirement on new homes to address the risk of overheating. This challenge is often seen in urban homes, where noise, pollution and/or security concerns can make opening windows at night impractical. UFH systems connected to a reversible air-source heat pump can help address this by providing low-level cooling through the fl oor when conditions demand it. From an energy perspective, UFH also helps achieve the lowest possible fl ow temperatures when paired with air source heat pumps, allowing the full system to operate at peak effi ciency. As the industry prepares for the Future Homes Standard, this low-carbon technology pairing combination provides a practical, future ready solution that balances comfort, regulation and long-term performance.
Ashley Cooper is managing director at WMS Underfl oor Heating
Modern UFH systems also offer smart controls, eliminating the need for residents to manage settings themselves
ADF APRIL/MAY 2026
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
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