Underfloor heating with a heatpump

Underfloor heating with a heatpump

Underfloor heating powered by a heatpump will work best and most efficient in well insulated homes. With a low temperature, well distributed floor or wall, can already be sufficient to keep the space pleasantly warm and comfortable.

Compared to conventional heating with radiators, underfloor heating is a slow system. Therefore in a underfloor heating installation with a heat pump, night reduction is often not applied. Because there is no critical warming up or cooling down phase in practice, energy is saved. By means of a room thermostat, the difference between the temperature of the heating surface and that of the space is kept small. The smaller this temperature difference, the better the self-regulating effect. This means that it is the best with a thermostat control per individual space. Each thermostat controls  the valves of the underfloor heating of the relevant space.

More energy efficient

Conventional radiators work with a high supply temperature (80 ° c) that costs a lot of energy. A surface heating system, such as underfloor heating, works significantly more efficient and economical because there only has to be a supply temperature of (for example) 35° c to heat it up.

Cooling

The pipes of the underfloor heating can also cool your home in the summer. Instead of low temperature heating water (35 degrees) with water of 18°C  circulating through the floor a space can also be cooled. The 18°c has been chosen to prevent condensation on the floor. If the temparature of the floor is too low this will create condensation. 

Ground source heat pump

With a ground source heat pump the cooling costs are low because use of the cool groundwater, way lower as with an air/water heat pump. After all, if you want to coolyour house the outside air is warm.

Underfloor heating and health 

Some years ago, some doctors had doubt about the health implications of underfloor heating systems. This, because the higher temperatures of underfloor heating may cause vein disorders, also called thick feet. These days, the surface temperatures of underfloor heating is laid down in standards and may not exceed the critical room temperature of 29° c and a bathroom temperature of 33°c. In addition, new homes are currently so well insulated that surface temperatures of 24-25 °c are sufficient. So those health risks can almost be excluded. According to several doctors underfloor heating os actually healthier than heating by means of radiators, especially for people who are allergic to dust. In addition to this, underfloor heating works better with the human sense for comfort. We love to have our head a bit cooler than our feet. With radiators this is often the other way round.

Floor tile/wood/carpeted floors

A tiled floor (cement) works best for underfloor heating, the floor heating warms the tiling and cement and the result is a large issue surface. Also some wood floors and carpets may be suitable for underfloor heating. Suitable materials for underfloor heating systems often have a symbol on the label. Check with the dealer to select the right materials. But certain type of wood floors, parquet, laminiate and carpeted floors do not need to be a problem.