Radiant heat energy is the type of energy emitted from an underfloor heating system

Radiant heat energy is the type of energy emitted from an underfloor heating system, and the easiest way to explain the principle is to compare it to the energy we get from the sun. The sun transmits radiant heat energy across vast distances through deep space vacuum, here on Earth this energy is partly absorbed and partly reflected by people, objects and the Earth itself The fact that radiant energy does not require a medium such as air to be effective, means that it does not necessarily heat the air it is passing through. For instance, if you are outside on a cold frosty morning as the sun rises over the horizon, you will instantly feel the heat from the sun, but the air temperature is unchanged.

The term "underfloor heating" is actually a misnomer, the floor is gently warmed over the whole floor area providing a near perfect temperature profile between floor and ceiling. Occupants will experience warm feet and cool heads at a lower air temperature than that produced by a convection system.

The lower air temperature also means that humidity levels remain satisfactory, and as the air temperature difference between inside and outside is less, then the heat lost through infiltration is less. These energy saving benefits are even more noticeable in buildings with very high ceilings.

Floorwarming systems require a very low grade of heat, maximum flow temperature will be 50^oC which means that energy savings can be further enhanced by using a condensing boiler. These boilers operate at much higher efficiencies than conventional boilers, and the lower the return water temperature the higher the efficiency. Low operating temperatures also allows for connecting to alternative energy sources such as heat pumps or solar collectors.

The Begetube floorwarming system has 20 years proven use on the Continent and is backed by a comprehensive systems guarantee.

Operating Principles

Warm water is circulated through continuous lengths of pipe embedded in the floor, each room has its own circuit and all circuits are connected to a distribution manifold. As each room has its own circuit it is a simple process to apply room temperature control.

A thermostat is fitted in the room and connected to an electrically operated valve on the circuit serving that room, in addition there is a water temperature control at the manifold with manual settings allowing the overall system output to be adjusted, thus providing room by room control for the prevailing weather conditions. This method of control is perfectly adequate for most domestic applications and works very well, but for larger houses, commercial properties an automatic water temperature control would be more advantageous, this is achieved by fitting a weather compensating control. Sensors are placed externally, internally and on the boiler pipework and connected to a controller. The controller constantly monitors all the sensors and adjusts the circuit temperature automatically to suit the prevailing conditions, with this system in place the room thermostats are acting as high limit controls to prevent individual rooms overheating due to extraneous heat gains.

Various methods of fixing the pipe are used dependant on the floor construction, it could be plastic coated wire ties onto mesh, screw-in insulation clips or single nail hammer clips, but in each case the fixings are simply to hold the pipe in place until the slab or screed has cured.

Pipe

Cross linked polyethylene pipe complete with an oxygen diffusion barrier. This gives it an outstanding strength and flexibility and a projected life in excess of 50 years. The pipe can withstand temperatures of 95^oC continually, with short periods, of up to 110^oC.These temperatures are well above the normal operating temperature of 50^oC used in a floorwarming system

Manufactured from brass with built in valves, they are supplied complete with all necessary controls. They are generally fitted under the stairs or in a convenient cupboard Controls The system design allows for complete flexibility here, from the very minimal suitable for open plan to full room by room control coupled with a weather com pensating system to allow greater savings.

The mechanical components of the floorwarming system, i.e. pipe, manifolds & valves, are covered by a full ten year system guarantee including all incidental losses and damage.