Thermostatic valves (lower right) control heat distribution to different floor sections
Four components make up a floor heating system: a heat source, the distribution pipes, the control systems and the circulation pump.
The heat source may be a water heater powered by electricity, heating oil, propane or even wood. Contractors with experience installing floor heating systems say that the electric systems are the easiest to install and are less costly than the others. However it must be verified that the electrical power supply has sufficient capacity to sustain the additonal demand for the heating.
The distribution pipes are normmaly attached to the reinforcement lattice of the concrete floor. The concrete is poured over the pipes. The latter have to be resistant to the chemicals in the concrete and have to withstand the components of the heat distribution liquid.
The thermostatic valves allow the distribution of heat to different sections of the floor. An expansion tank is necessary to compensate for the increased volume of the heated liquid. The thermostats allow to control the temperature of the room or floor. Other "intelligent" thermostats with sensors on the inside and outside can even "predict" the heating demand by evaluating the speed of the outside temperature drop. Other parts of the system and the control system are: gauge for the liquid temperature, pressure regulator, air bleeder, low liquid level security sensor, high temperature security sensor, security valve, etc.
A circulation pump runs the water from the feed collector to the distribution pipes in the floor. The flow rate for each conduit circuit is de conduits is adjusted by the manual or electrical valves.
Several models from 6 to 27 kW are available to you. They include real flow rate and thermostatic control.
The hot water is pumped through a specially designed pipe system under or in the floor.
How to control the system?
You set it and forget it! Our tankless water heaters are distinguished by the best temperature control system available. It measures the flow rate and the temperature of the incoming water to modulate the power of the heating elements and maintain precisely the output temperature set by the user. A numerical display shows the selected temperature.
The INTELLIGENT CONTROL TECHNOLOGY allows to set the temperature from 26.5 to 82 °C (80 to 180 F). Once set, the selfregulating system of the unit measures the flow rate and the temperature of the incoming water to control the energy usage to meet the user's needs, thereby assuring better energy economization.
