50
FEATURES
Underfloor hydronic
heating – a clever
solution (Part 1)
Despite initial resistance in the uptake of underfloor
heating systems locally, the commercial hydronic
market in particular is finally taking off for applications
far and wide.
By Ilana Koegelenberg
There are two main types of underfloor heating
systems: wet (hydronic) and dry (electrical). A hydronic
system pumps warm water through pipes beneath the
floor to create heat, while an electrical system uses
electric coils under the floor to achieve its warmth.
From all accounts, the domestic market has exploded
as the emerging middle class demands the comforts
of underfloor heating, finally accepting the fact that the
initial capital outlay will pay for itself in what it saves in
electricity compared to less efficient ways of heating.
Although the South African electrical underfloor heating
market has been in existence for quite a long time, it
is in terms of hydronic systems that things have truly
picked up over the past five years or so — especially in
commercial and industrial applications.
Chicken battery cages, hospitals, crocodile farms, fancy
hotels, and even just integrated domestic heating — the
possibilities are vast.
We chat to various industry role players, ranging from
contractors and installers to suppliers and manufacturers,
to get some tips on the dos and don’ts of underfloor
heating. Here’s what the experts had to say …
THE FIGURES
According to a Global Market Insights research
report, the global underfloor market was worth
USD4 806.53-million in 2016, with massive growth
forecasted for the next couple of years. The hydronic
underfloor heating market size is set to exceed USD5-
billion by 2024.
January 2019 Volume 25 I Number 1
Their research splits the global market as follows
(2016 figures):
• Electric: 38.22%
• Hydronic: 61.78%
When broken down by region, Africa (grouped together
with the Middle East, as always) represents only about
2% of the market. These are the figures:
• Europe: 47.30%
• North America: 25.14%
• Asia Pacific: 23.32%
• Middle East and Africa (MEA): 2.14%
• Latin America: 2.10%
The official growth summary of the report states:
“Growing consumer awareness towards energy
conservation, along with significant increase in urban
population, will augment the underfloor heating market.
“Declining capital cost along with advancements
in technology will further complement the industry
landscape. Rising energy consumption, especially across
the residential sector, will boost the product demand.”
WHY UNDERFLOOR HEATING?
It is important to note that underfloor heating systems
are radiant, which means they do not heat or move the
air. Instead, the radiation directly heats up the objects
inside and the environment itself, such as the walls,
tables, chairs and, of course, the people.
Underfloor heating also offers the benefit of being
hidden out of sight. Unlike other types of heaters, they
do not take up wall space or affect where furniture
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