The underfloor heating design parameters for the George Farmer Technical Collage project were to provide a load-bearing concrete base for the new electrical and plumbing training department of the school, and incorporate our underfloor heating system designed at operate at low temperature. The underfloor heating system was designed to optimise the energy saving potential of a Hoval air source heat pump.

A UFH Supply high density underfloor heating system was designed, supplied and installed to enable the system to work at maximum efficiency, by reducing the temperature of the water circulating through the underfloor heating pipes from 45°c to 35°c. The underfloor heating system was designed with the ability to utilise the system for passive and active cooling in the summer months. The Hoval air source heat pump was capable of cooling the building by passing chilled water around the underfloor heating circuits embedded into the concrete.

Grate care and consideration needs to be taken when designing an underfloor heating system to provide cooling. Condensation is a paramount concern when the heating system is to be used for cooling. Without the correct design and implementation of the underfloor heating system, serious damage can occur to floor finishes.

The underfloor heating system was installed directly onto the steel mesh with tie straps to hold the underfloor heating pipe down until the screed was pumped into position. The steel mesh gives the underfloor heating and floor structure its load bearing strength by reinforcing the concrete.

This however, often reducers the speed of installation of the underfloor heating system, as the walking over mesh and having to bend down to secure each anchor point with a tie rap, make things more awkward and time consuming. Expect a slight increased in cost of installation of the underfloor heating system, usually around 10-15%, due to the increased difficulty in installation of the underfloor heating pipe.

The end result was a super strong, highly efficient underfloor heating system, with vast amounts of thermal storage.