HYDRONIC HEATING
Comfort Heat has introduced Hydronic floor heating systems to their product range. This means heating larger floor areas is not only extremely comfortable, but energy efficient too. This keeps running costs down while allowing use of more environmentally friendly energy sources as alternatives to straight electricity.
Hydronic floor heating relies on pipes laid in the concrete slab or screed to carry heated water. The water can then be heated by various energy sources. The most efficient currently is a natural gas boiler, but other sources can be used such as electric heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, wood fired stoves and to a more limited extent solar hot water systems.
Due to the plumbing infrastructure required, hydronic floor heating is more suitable for larger heated areas of at least 100m², although smaller areas could be cost effective if the energy requirements are incorporated into the entire project design.
The hydronic heating pipe is installed in circuits of 100m which are then connected to a manifold. The manifold is used to supply the circuits with hot water and maintain constant water flow. The total system is designed by qualified engineers to ensure the best possible outcome for any individual project. As the design and materials are crucial elements of an hydronic heating system, Comfort Heat can design and supply a complete hydronic heating system and ship anywhere in Australia.
The major elements in the hydronic floor heating system are:
MANIFOLD
The manifold distributes and balances the water flow to each piping circuit on the floor. Comfort Heat uses a modular manifold which includes circuit isolation valves, balancing adjustments, automatic air-bleed and temperature indicators. With the addition of an electric solenoid motor it is possible to turn a pipe circuit on/off either for temperature control or zone isolation.
FLOOR PIPING
Comfort Heat use a PEX pipe specially designed for floor heating. This pipe is multi-layered and includes an oxygen barrier. The typical maximum pipe length is 100m per circuit. The circuits are installed in the concrete slab or cement screed with a coverage of at least 50mm from the top of the pipe. The pipes can also be laid above the slab between battens with natural wood flooring.
HEAT SOURCES
The Hydronic floor heating system can utilise a variety of heat sources. The most popular is a Natural Gas packaged boiler, however, solar evacuated tubes, Heat Pumps and Wood Stoves can also be used to heat the water in the system.
THERMOSTAT
The thermostat controls the operation of the circulating pump. Comfort Heat incorporates a thermostat with both air and floor sensing controls to ensure the optimum operation of the heating system. The thermostat also includes a 7 day digital time-clock.