How a water warm floor works: the principle of action, the device of different types of connections

Modern technology provides many options for keeping our homes warm and comfortable. One such invention is the water warm floor system, a technique that heats your house effectively and leaves your floors comfortable. In contrast to conventional radiators or forced-air systems, warm water is circulated via pipes buried beneath the flooring surface to operate a water warmer. But how precisely does it function?

A water warm floor works on a very basic but very powerful principle. Under the flooring, the system is comprised of a network of pipes, usually composed of sturdy materials such as PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) or PEX-AL-PEX (multilayer composite pipe). These pipes link to a heat pump or boiler, or another type of central heating source. Heat is released as hot water passes through the pipes; this heat then radiates upward, warming the floor and the space above it.

Water warm floor systems use a variety of connections, each with advantages and disadvantages of their own. The "single-zone" or "one-pipe" system is a popular technique in which a single pipe loop spans the whole floor area. This straightforward design is a popular option for smaller spaces or rooms with consistent heating needs because it is affordable and easy to install.

An alternative method is the "multi-zone" or "manifold" system, which separates the floor into zones, each having a pipe loop of its own. This makes it possible to regulate the temperature more precisely because different parts of the house can be heated separately. For instance, based on personal preferences, you might want to keep the kitchen warmer than the bedroom or change the temperature in a home office.

In understanding how a water-based underfloor heating system operates, it"s essential to grasp its fundamental principle: efficient heat distribution through water circulation. This system comprises pipes installed beneath the floor surface, carrying warm water from a central source, such as a boiler. The warmth from the water spreads evenly across the floor, radiating upwards to heat the room uniformly. Different types of connections, like the series and parallel setups, determine how the pipes link to the heat source and each other. In a series connection, water flows sequentially through each loop of the underfloor piping, while in a parallel connection, water simultaneously circulates through multiple loops. Understanding these connections is crucial for optimizing the efficiency and performance of the water underfloor heating system, ensuring cozy warmth throughout the home.

How a water warm floor works, its device

A warm water floor is an affordable and dependable system that makes a person’s surroundings comfortable. The lower portion of the room will always have a temperature that is a few degrees higher than the head area due to structural features.

The system consists of a set of pipes positioned in between the finish coating and the draft floor. The return and feed are part of the circuit. The pattern can be applied using a flooring technique or poured with a concrete screed.

Furthermore, the structure is furnished with a collector knot that has adjustable devices. The hot coolant of the circulating contour inside is what causes the heating, and a specialized circulation pump makes sure the coolant moves.

Since the general heating system is inserted, permission is needed before installing water heating structures. Warm floors are typically found in private homes; they are less common in apartments because of the possibility of below-ground flooding that could affect nearby residents. Furthermore, you can connect an independent boiler to your home.

The water warm floor "pie" looks like this:

• base;
• waterproofing;
• thermal insulation layer;
• pipes;
• concrete screed;
• Finish coating.

Just so you know! The standard pipe size is 16 mm, and the maximum allowable circuit length is 80 cm with a diameter ranging from 20 to 120 cm.

The "pie" of the water floor is typically between 18 and 23 cm thick.

The water warm floor is a low-temperature device, with the circulating fluid heated to a temperature between 35 and 45 degrees. The coolant’s temperature affects its power. 140 watts of power will be used to heat the water to 45 degrees. As a result, the coating area needs to be at least 70% when heating the house solely with a water warm floor.

A water circuit flooded with a concrete screed for an extended period of time retains heat in addition to efficiency. The lengthy time needed to warm up the concrete layer and the structure’s severity are the main causes of the drawbacks. Not every overlap is resilient to it.

There are several media connection schemes; in this article, we will go over the basic workings of a few of them.

There are instances in which the floor plan can only be heated in conjunction with a radiator. Batteries are the primary source of heat and are typically mounted at the window. Additionally, heating floors are placed zonally or in the center of the room to provide additional heating.

A combined system can be installed in any type of room and any number of floors of a building with the right sexual coating.

The layout of the water floors on the ground floor has the benefit of causing warm air to rise to the ceiling, heating both this floor and the one below it, which is solely equipped with radiators.

Such a scheme can be implemented in a number of ways. The first is the installation at the T-section’sinputand exit, where a warm floor and a radiator connect on the one hand.

Furthermore, it’s simple to integrate sexual heating with an existing radiator system. A wireless thermostat can be used for this, which facilitates and expedites the installation and warm floor connection process.

Device and principle of operation of the system when connecting to the boiler

Boiler: the apparatus that heats the coolant. It is not necessary to arrange warm water floors if the system is linked to the central heating system.

One crucial thing to keep in mind when using an autonomous boiler is that the water should heat up no more than 45 seconds on average. This is particularly valid for gas boilers because:

• It works effectively on the maximum aisles – 70 – 90 s, with a decrease in the degree of efficiency, it decreases, and expenses on fuel increase;
• If the boiler works at lower temperatures, then condensate is formed, which reduces its service life.

It is advised to buy a boiler with the required temperature differentials (condensation) in order to prevent these issues.

Installing a heated floor powered by electricity from the boiler is an additional option, but it is a costly resource. Electric boats exist:

1. With het – the equipment is not expensive, but often breaks.
2. Electrode – their work depends on the quality of the coolant, more precisely, on the current production of fluid. Such a device requires periodic maintenance – replacement of electrodes. To start it, drinking water is needed, or a special liquid that can be bought with equipment.
3. Induction – the most expensive, but economical. Water heats up quickly, with minimal consumption of electricity.

Regarding economy, if we take into account water warm floors powered by the boiler, there are devices that run on gas, followed by those that run on pellets and briquettes. Ash and slag from the furnace must be cleaned frequently when solid fuel is used. Long-burning boilers are available; they are more expensive, but they only require weekly maintenance on average, and combustion products are removed far less frequently.

These days, combined boilers that run on both electricity and solid fuel are available for purchase. Certain heating elements are programmed to switch off and back on automatically when the predetermined temperature is reached.

Just so you know! Warm floor liquid fuel boilers are rarely used because of the unit’s loud operation and stench, which require them to be placed in a separate room.

The principle of working with a mixing unit (three and two -way valve)

The two primary components of the mixing node are the control valve and the circulation pump. The pump aids in the coolant’s flow, and valves control the amount of hot water to keep the temperature just right.

The knot can be positioned on a crest inside a boiler room or collector cabinet.

There are two types of mixing devices:

1. Using a three -way mixing valve – it is designed to mix the heated water walking from the boiler, with chilled coolant. When equipping the valve of a servo, a knot can be controlled by a thermostatic device and using controllers depending on the weather. This mixing node is considered universal, although it has several disadvantages:

• There is a chance that the valve will open the supply of hot coolant (90 s) to the system, more often this can happen when the device is started, which provoke the rupture of the pipes;
• Such a valve has low throughput, not sufficient for warm floors, which will affect the level of heating of the coolant.

However, in rooms covering more than 200 m2, this mixing unit is not replaced.

2. The best option is to use a two-way valve because only the water can be adjusted from the boiler and the cold coolant is constantly mixed. As a result, the floor won’t overheat, extending the duration of its operation.

This layout is limited to spaces no larger than 200 m2.

When installing water warm floors, these are the primary mixing nodes that are used.

Just so you know! Three-way valves with thermostatic functionality are present. Certain models feature an electric weaving drive that can be smoothly adjusted, making them perfect for warm floors.

How a pump mixture node is used to connect to the system

Installing a pump-mixing node is another way to arrange for heating to provide a warm floor in a private residence. The radiator, which provides heat, is where it is mounted. One can establish a connection from the boiler.

The hot coolant from the heating source is mixed with cold spent water in a water warm floor system that has a welding-mixing node. The mixing node is the location of this entire process. A balancing valve can be used to control the flow of hot and cold coolant.

One of the best work surfaces is a heated water floor with a welding-mixing node since it makes it simple to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. You can purchase it already assembled or put it together yourself.

Distribution collectors

The main component in charge of regulating the heated floors is the distributive collector. The coolant is supposed to be distributed uniformly throughout the loops. designed with holes to collect cooled water and supply hot water.

Thermal valves, which allow you to adjust the temperature in each warm floor loop and the cost regulators, are a must on all circuits involving collectors. This design, which includes a temperature sensor, enables you to precisely control the room’s temperature while adapting to changes in the window outside.

A thermostat is placed in every room, and it regulates multiple drives—one drive for every branch. Certain thermostat models come with a programming feature that lets you choose the preferred mode of operation or the interval between heating on and off.

Moreover, the shut-off crane balances and drains water, and the collector allows air to exit the system via the trigger valve.

Conveniently, the collector node is concealed in a niche or a unique metal cabinet that is mounted on the wall.

Installation of water warm floor

A list of the materials needed and a pipe laying plan are created prior to the installation of the water warm floor.

The installation of the heating floor follows the following step-by-step procedure:

1. Preparation of the base – in the presence of cracks and large differences, they should be sealed with a special solution, or pour a thin layer of a black screed.
2. Installation of a collector cabinet with all appropriate equipment – this is recommended to do the floor of the “pie” of the floor, as these work are dirty, and will lead to the formation of dust and litter.
3. Waterproofing – the basis must be covered with waterproofing material to protect against moisture.
4. Installation of the damping tape – it needs to glue the entire perimeter of the room, it will save the structure from deformation when heated.
5. Thermal insulation – the required thermal insulation layer on the concrete floor is 7 – 10 cm. Excessive polystyrene foam is great for this purpose. There are slabs with grooves for laying and fixing pipes.

One material that helps reflect heat in the proper direction is thermal insulation with a foil layer.

Since pipe laying is the foundation of a warm floor, you must take great care in selecting them.

• metal -plastic – they are complex in installation, have a large weight, special equipment is required for their bend;
• polypropylene – have high thermal conductivity, but the contour needs reliable fixation, since it is inclined to take the original form;
• corrugated stainless – most popular, convenient in installation, with a high degree of thermal conductivity and have different sizes;
• Copper – durable and durable, but they are expensive and it is difficult to styling independently;
• Polyethylene PERT and PRX are often used, since the product is elastic, with good operational characteristics.

Pipe installation is done using the predetermined step and the planned scheme (also known as the "Snail" or "Snake"). Using plastic clamps, contour fixation can be applied to pre-installed reinforcing mesh.

The pipes are positioned between the grooves of the mat, which firmly fixes it in place, when using bobes as thermal insulation.

1. Connection – pipes should be connected to the supply and handling of warm floor.
2. The floor is crimping – it must be done before filling the screed to check the performance and the presence of leak. Testing is done with high pressure, throughout the day.
3. Filling the screed – its thickness depends on the diameter of the pipes, and is on average 5 – 7 cm. When pouring concrete solution, the pipes should be present in the pipes.

• The first inclusion of the floor is prohibited to turn on the system until the concrete composition is completely dried, this will take about a month. In order not to crack the screed, you need to raise the temperature gradually. Starting from 20 degrees, and increasing each day by 3 – 4, while the operating temperature is not unpleasant.
• Laying the finish coating – the material can be any, the main thing is that it combines with heating systems. Warm floors with ceramic tiles are well adjacent.

Just so you know! Installing wooden lags—across which the rails are fixed—and laying the pipeline between them constitutes the building process for installing the floor in a "dry way."

Anyone thinking about using this effective form of home heating must understand how a water underfloor heating system works. These systems ensure comfort throughout the living space by evenly distributing warmth throughout the floor by utilizing the principles of conduction and radiant heat.

The system’s connection types are a crucial component of its functionality. The connections control how the heated water travels through the pipes under the floor, regardless of whether a single-zone or multi-zone arrangement is chosen. To maintain ideal warmth levels and maximize efficiency, these connections must be installed and configured correctly.

A simple method is used for single-zone systems, where heated water is distributed throughout the floor by a single manifold. Installation is made simpler and more affordable by its simplicity, especially in smaller spaces where zoning is not required. It might not have the adaptability required for bigger or multi-story homes, though.

Multi-zone systems, on the other hand, divide the floor into distinct sections, each with its own manifold and thermostat, providing more control and efficiency. This enables the customization of temperature settings and heating schedules to meet unique requirements in various rooms or zones. The advantages in terms of comfort and energy savings can be substantial, even though installation is more complicated.

The basic idea is always the same, regardless of the connection type selected: heated water moves through a system of pipes buried in the floor, distributing warmth to the surface above. In contrast to conventional heating techniques, this soft, even heat radiates upward, warming the space from the bottom up and reducing heat loss.

In conclusion, the capacity of a water underfloor heating system to integrate effective heat distribution with adaptable control options is what makes it so effective. Choosing the best system for your house requires an understanding of the working principles and the variations in connection types. Whether you choose a multi-zone configuration for more flexibility or a single-zone setup for simplicity, a water underfloor heating system can improve comfort and energy efficiency for many years to come.

Video on the topic

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