7 Important Factors With Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating systems (UFH) are the ultimate choice of heating to work in combination with an air source heat pump.
But there's more to underfloor heating than just pipes in the ground. Precise planning and design are essential for a comfortable home and energy efficiency.
Underfloor heating is around 55% radiant and 45% convection, creating a far more comfortable environment at much lower temperatures compared to a traditional radiator system.
7 Factors to think about with UFH
If you are considering underfloor heating, here are 7 important factors to consider before installation:
- The heat loss of your home (how much energy your home loses and how efficient it is)
- Flow temperature (how hot your system will operate at)
- Insulation in the floor build up
- The length of pipe in the floor
- The pattern of which the pipe is laid
- Floor coverings and their effects on efficiency
- Manifold locations (where the pipes will enter and exit in your home)
The heat loss survey
A full heat loss survey of your property will allow us to work out exactly how much pipework and what flow temperature is needed to maximise energy efficiency. We take into consideration all of the different room areas. This includes what each room is used for and the existing wall and floor coverings. This allows us to accurately calculate how much energy each property needs.
The goal is to operate your underfloor heating at the lowest possible flow temperature to achieve a comfortable indoor temperature whilst at the same time providing high energy efficiency. Underfloor heating systems can be installed throughout the entire house. When paired with a heat pump they provide even more efficiency.
Floor Insulation
Underfloor heating on a ground floor ideally needs to be insulated underneath. This stops any downward losses through the building fabric and any wasted energy. Current UK building regulations require downward losses to not exceed 10 watt per meter. A perimeter edging strip of 25mm is required to allow the screed or concrete to expand and contract during heat up and cooling down periods. This also stops any thermal bridging from the screed to the external walls.
What is the right underfloor heating system to work with a heat pump?
There are many different systems on the market, but many are not suitable for use with a heat pump.
With an air source heat pump system, a flow rate 4 times faster than a gas boiler is required. This means the correct sizing of pipework is essential to overcome the pressure loss at these much higher flow rates.
Smaller pipe sizing systems would require additional buffers, separation and potentially a larger heat pump to overcome. These are all important factors that affect the energy efficiency and usage. They also impact the costs to install and operate.
Careful considerations
It's important to consider what output your underfloor system will have and if it can overcome the heat loss of your home.
Let's take for instance a 16mm MLCP system in a concrete floor screed running at 45 degrees, the output per m2 will be 141.3 watts of energy.
If we take the same 16mm MLCP pipe but add in a reflective aluminium foil lined insulation and run at the same temperature of 45 degrees, the energy output is only 45 watt per m2. This is a huge difference.
Floor covering choices
The floor coverings you chose also have a massive impact on underfloor heating. This is often overlooked.
The choice of floor tiles, hard wood flooring or carpet has a significant impact on the efficiency of your underfloor heating system.
If you take the same 16mm MLCP system as above in screed at 45 degrees and based on floor tiles would provide 141 watts of energy per m2.
But if you swap those floor tiles for hardwood flooring, the output of that floor will decrease to 84.1 watts per m2.
Lastly, if a 1.5 tog carpet or maybe an engineered 22mm flooring, the same system will now only achieve 70 watts per m2. This is half the output originally achievable with floor tiles. It is therefore important to get this correct before any underfloor heating system is installed.
Get in touch
If you are considering underfloor heating or a heat pump, contact us today to ensure you get the best system possible.
* All energy and performance claims are based on our own energy assessments and live monitoring of energy consumption.
What Is A Low-Temperature Heating System?
Low-temperature heating systems are the key for energy efficiency and something all domestic homes should operate with.
When paired with an air source heat pump it can provide a warm and comfortable home, with cheaper energy bills.
Plus there are huge benefits to traditional gas boiler installations.
What is a low-temperature Heating System?
A low temperature heating system is designed to meet the desired indoor temperatures but by operating at a lower temperature.
Traditional heating systems typically operate with a flow temperature of around 70 degrees*.
Whereas, a low temperature system can operate effectively at 35-55 degrees* for space heating, but still provide the right levels of warmth and comfort to your home.
There are 3 ways of achieving a low-temperature heating system.
- Increased emitter (radiator) sizes.
- Increased insulation to your home.
- Low-temperature controls.
Each of these ways can work individually, but the best way to get your flow temperature as low as possible would be to combine all three together.
The important part
The most important part is to set up and use modulating operational controls such as weather compensation or load compensation.
What is weather compensation?
- Increased efficiency with lower operating temperatures
- Decreased energy waste with predicted demand for heat
- Less demand on the heat pump as weather compensation control is proactive
The difference between high temperature and low temperature heating systems
The nature of a high temperature heating is that it is more of an on/off system. The heat pulses and each room in your home will exceed the selected room temperature, then go below the desired temperature and kick back in on a constant cycle.
A lower temperature system can minimise this 'on/off' effect, and provide consistent and steady temperatures which will match the heat output of a high temperature system.
All this means that the same comfort can be achieved at lower temperatures which results in direct savings with energy bills.
Improved COP for Heat Pumps
There is even more efficiency to be gained from running air source heat pumps at a lower temperature.
A heat pump running radiators at 55 degrees can use 40% more* electricity than a system running at 40°c.
Which is why badly designed and installed heating systems can cost just as much in electricity than a normal gas system.
If you would like some technical advice on the best low temperature heating system for your home, contact us and we will be happy to advise on the most efficient system possible for your home.
* All energy and performance claims are based on our own energy assessments and live monitoring of energy consumption.
How To Control Your Heat Pump For Maximum Efficiency
Why Water Quality Is Important For Your Heating System
When installing a new heat pump or boiler, ensuring the quality of the water in your heating system is essential. It is essential for both long-term performance and efficiency.
Here’s what we do to make sure your system water is in the best possible condition and why it matters for the health of your system.
What We Do for Your System Water
At the end of every installation, we thoroughly flush the system and clean all filters. We then fill it with demineralised water following the German Water Quality Standard VDI 2035. This is known for its high standards but isn’t commonly used in the UK. By going the extra mile, we provide better protection and performance for your heating system.
Why Is Demineralised Water Important?
Using demineralised water in your system offers several benefits:
- Prevents Corrosion and Scaling: Lowering the water’s conductivity (the ability to conduct electricity) helps prevent metals from reacting with each other. This reduces corrosion. It also keeps salts and minerals from building up in your system’s heat exchangers or pipes which avoids the scaling that can reduce efficiency.
- Maintains the Right pH Levels: The acidity or alkalinity of the water (pH level) plays a big role in how your system will perform. If the water is too acidic or too alkaline, it can damage certain metals, especially aluminium. We make sure the pH is neutral, so your system stays protected.
- Limits Oxygen Content: Oxygen in the system water is a major cause of corrosion. We ensure your system is sealed to keep oxygen levels low. This helps prevent rust and other damage. Regularly adding fresh water with high oxygen content can lead to corrosion, so this should be avoided.
Regular Testing to Keep Your System Healthy
Testing the water quality in your system every year during service is crucial. This lets us see if anything has changed, such as the presence of new corrosion or a drop in water quality. If necessary, we can take action before any serious issues arise, such as flushing the system to clean it out.
Why Use Demineralised Water Instead of Chemicals?
Many systems rely on chemical inhibitors to slow down corrosion. However, they don’t always reveal what ingredients are in them. Instead of continuously adding chemicals to control corrosion, we start by filling your system with the cleanest, purest water to prevent it from happening in the first place.
By maintaining the best water quality from the start and testing it regularly, we help protect your heating system, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently for many years.
If you are interested in a renewable heating system for your home, contact us today for helpful technical advice.
Why A Heat Loss Report Is Essential Before Installing A Heat Pump
When planning to install a new heating system or upgrade an existing one, the first step we always recommend is to get a heat loss report for your property.
This report provides crucial information that helps you and us ensure the heating system is the right size for your home, maximizing efficiency and comfort while lowering your energy bills.
What Is a Heat Loss Report?
A heat loss report examines how your home loses heat through different parts of the building, such as walls, windows, doors, ceilings, roofs, and floors. It measures how well these materials hold in heat and how much energy your home loses through them.
This information is essential for determining the size of the heating system and radiators (or other emitters) needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, no matter how cold it gets outside.
Why Is It Important?
Knowing the heat loss of your home is especially important when using heat pumps, as they work best when properly sized. A heat loss report helps ensure you install a heat pump that is just the right size—not too big and not too small. This prevents wasting energy by overheating your home or causing the system to cycle on and off too frequently, which reduces efficiency and increases wear and tear.
Benefits of a Heat Loss Report
- Correctly Sized Heating System: A heat loss report makes sure your heating system is the right size for your home’s needs, which helps keep your home comfortable without wasting energy.
- Properly Sized Emitters: The report also tells you what size radiators or underfloor heating emitters are needed to maintain your desired indoor temperature, ensuring your system runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Improved Efficiency: By giving your system the right amount of energy for your home’s specific heat loss, you avoid unnecessary cycling, which can lead to lower efficiency and higher energy bills.
- Identifying Insulation Upgrades: A heat loss report shows how well insulated your home is. Sometimes, small upgrades like adding loft insulation, filling cavity walls, or improving windows and doors can significantly lower your heat loss, reducing your energy needs and improving overall efficiency.
Fabric First Approach
Taking a "fabric first" approach means focusing on improving your home’s insulation before installing or upgrading a heating system. Simple measures like adding extra loft insulation or upgrading doors and windows can reduce the amount of heat your home loses, meaning you can install a smaller, more efficient heating system. This leads to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
The Bottom Line
Getting a heat loss report ensures that your heating system is perfectly designed for your home’s needs. It provides key insights to help you and your installer choose the right-sized heat pump and emitters, improving efficiency and lowering your energy bills. Plus, it helps you understand how small insulation upgrades can make a big difference in the comfort and efficiency of your home.
In today’s world, there’s no need to guess or rely on outdated rules of thumb. With the right data, you can enjoy a comfortable home with lower running costs and a longer-lasting heating system.
If you would like a heat loss report for your property, contact us today.
Proof Of Efficiency With Heat Pumps
With the cold weather, many homeowners are experiencing issues with efficiency of their air source heat pumps (ASHP) or ground source heat pumps (GSHP).
Some report that their systems are expensive to run or aren't heating their homes properly. But why is this happening? In many cases, it's due to poor installation. We believe the installers should be held responsible.
The Importance of Proper Installation
Heat pump systems are sold with promises of high efficiency and low running costs, often based on something called the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP). This is a measure of how much heat your system can generate compared to the electricity it uses over a season. However, if your heat pump isn’t properly installed or designed, it won’t meet these performance levels. The result is higher costs and less comfort.
So, how do you ensure your system performs as expected? It’s important to work with an installer who can back up their claims with proof. At Custom Renewables, we hold ourselves accountable for each installation. We ensure every heat pump works as efficiently as possible.
Monitoring Your System’s Performance
One of the ways we ensure top performance is by offering Open Energy Monitoring for all customers. This monitoring system provides detailed information on how your heat pump is performing, including:
- Energy Usage: How much electricity is being used compared to the heat generated.
- Performance in Different Weather Conditions: How the system responds to outdoor temperatures.
- SCOP and COP (Coefficient of Performance): This helps you understand how efficient your system is. It measures how much energy is being used versus how much heat is being produced.
- Cycling Issues: We can see if the system is turning on and off too frequently, which can reduce efficiency and raise energy costs.
- Temperature and Output: We track if the system is running at the right temperature and delivering the output it was designed for.
This data gives us insight into how well the system is performing. It also confirms whether any adjustments are needed to maximise efficiency.
You can check the live data of some of our previous installs here
Holding Installers Accountable
By monitoring the performance of our installations, we take responsibility for ensuring that every system we install operates at its best. This approach eliminates guesswork and ensures that our customers are getting the most out of their heat pumps.
Many installers still rely on outdated methods or "rules of thumb" to design and install heat pumps, but that’s not enough. With all the available information about system design, efficiency, and performance, the industry should be doing better. Our goal at Custom Renewables is to lead by example, delivering top-quality heat pump installations that are designed, monitored, and optimised for maximum efficiency.
The Bottom Line
A properly designed and installed heat pump should deliver on its promises—keeping your home warm without costing a fortune. By using advanced tools like Open Energy Monitoring and focusing on accountability, we ensure that every customer gets what they deserve: a high-performing, efficient heating system that works as promised.
If you are interested in a highly efficient heat pump for your home, contact us today!
