Knowledge: Solar thermal
Low priority
Ben Perris, national sales manager of SOLFEX energy systems, takes a look at the
advantage of using low build up underfl oor heating systems with solar thermal, or an
ASHP
W
ith the Domestic RHI now in
full operation, it is time to give
some serious thought to the
value of introducing solar thermal
systems to work in conjunction
with underfl oor heating (UFH). The integration
of the two systems has a value added benefi t
to the end user allowing maximum cost
savings on the production of hot water.
Perfect balance
Creating a base load heat, generated from
solar thermal panels, will also greatly reduce
the running costs of already installed gas /
oil boilers. A good UFH system should be
designed to run from water temperatures
ranging from 35ºC to 55ºC which will balance
perfectly with temperatures provided from
solar thermal systems.
Applications to take advantage of
the scheme opened on 09 April and are
administered by Ofgem.
With the price of fossil fuels making a
gigantic rise now and in the coming years,
home owners and developers should start to
take into account the benefi ts of providing
such systems within their households.
Traditionally, UFH has been seen as an
exclusive product. However, this has changed
and is now seen to be the most effi cient type
of green heating within the industry. The
popularity of UFH with new build developers
and the self- build market has become a
way of adding additional value to properties.
By encompassing all of the renewable
technologies, this has enabled the homeowner
to be the one in control of their fuel usage.
Minimal disruption
For all new build and retrofi t markets, UFH
products have always been of a similar
design with traditional wet screed systems
and timber joist products. But with the
introduction of low build up products into
the market, this has opened a completely
new way forward in the construction of
houses. The market has seen an increase in
the different types of low build up products,
thus giving the homeowner /developer the
ability to add UFH with very little in the
way of disruption. Combining the addition
of a solar thermal system or ASHP, the two
systems work in conjunction with each other
and reduce the overall running costs of the
property.
Low build up UFH is a fast and easy way
to install a low temperature heating system
in the home. The build-up of approximately
15mm or 18mm of high density dry screed
board, which acts as a heat conducting
surface, transfers the heat from pipes to the
heated fl oor above. Once up to temperature,
it delivers suffi cient heat output to provide
wa rm and even ambient temperatures within
the living space.
The popularity of UFH
with new build developers
and the self- build market
has become a way of
adding additional value to
properties
The way forward
The best fl oor coverings to combine with
these types of systems are hard surfaces
such as stone and tile, as they offer the
least resistance to heat transfer compared
to carpets. The main benefi t of this type
of construction is the option for the direct
application of tiles, which can be applied
Time saver: Using low build UFH will
signifi cantly shorten installation time of this
increasingly popular technology, says SOLFEX’s
national sales manager Ben Perris
directly with the use of fl exible adhesive.
However, in most instances, a 6mm ply cover
is recommended prior to tiling. When fl oor
coverings such as carpet are to be fi tted, the
system design must factor in the extra heat
output that will be needed; this loss in output
needs to be negated by increasing the fl ow
temperature.
These types of products are the way
forward for the building trade over the coming
years. It will reduce the installation time on
site and eliminate the long drying times of
screeds. The whole installation process can be
completed in a much quicker time frame. This
will itself be an added benefi t to the schedule
of works on site.
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