Plumbing Africa January 2019 | Page 52

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 www.plumbingafrica.co.za