HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 47
Keep healthy and even cool with underfloor heating
Ashley Cooper of WMS explains why underfloor heating is a key way to improve indoor air quality and reduce airbourne pollutants, while also providing a cost-effective way of mitigating overheating in homes
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hile soft furnishings are typically known as the main culprits for harbouring dust mites, skin cells
and dander, convection heating systems and forced air systems are also a magnet for dust and germs which gather behind and inside the panels. Then, when a convection heating system is turned on, it often causes air to circulate more aggressively, and the problematic particles are encouraged to circulate into the atmosphere. When dust, allergens, and other particles are distributed throughout the space, it can exacerbate symptoms for those who suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions. This is just one of the issues that underfloor heating can help with, as radiant heat reduces the movement of dust, making it one of the healthiest ways to heat a building. Radiant heat eliminates air movement from the heating system as it warms the fabric of a room. It doesn’t use air as a medium to transport heat, so it minimises the movement of dust and allergens. This leads to a cleaner and healthier environment.
Even heat distribution If a traditional heating system isn’t well designed, hot and cold spots can be found within a room, leading to uneven temperature distribution. Cold spots within a space can cause condensation on walls and windows, leading to dampness and potential mould growth, negatively impacting indoor air quality. Mould not only adds to property maintenance requirements, but also exacerbates respiratory conditions. Ventilation isn’t always the answer, as during the colder months, with energy conservation remaining at front of mind, having windows and doors open
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for long periods is an unlikely option. In any case, condensation will still appear if warm, moist air contacts a cold surface in the home that’s below the dew point, even with ventilation.
Underfloor heating provides a solution, as the series of continuous loops fitted under a floor create a large radiant surface that heats a room from the floor upwards. This delivers even heat distribution across the entire room, helps prevent the formation of cold spots where moisture can accumulate, and minimises the likelihood of damp conditions leading to poor air quality.
The physics of underfloor heating also means that such systems provide a more stable and consistent temperature, which helps maintain balanced humidity levels – just another way that radiant heat helps to create healthier and more comfortable living environments.
A multifunctional solution With summers becoming hotter, homes are
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Radiant heat reduces the movement of dust, making it one of the healthiest ways to heat a building
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