In most cases, a water-heated floor is installed in private houses; it can also be equipped in a country house and even in a garage. Less often, a water-heated floor is laid in an apartment. If the presented system is the only source of heating and heating is carried out on an area of more than 20 m², then water floor heating will be the most economical solution.
The principle of operation and the device of a warm floor with water circulation heating
The water floor is a concrete slab in which there is a heating circuit - an ordinary pipe made of metal-plastic or other materials, through which the coolant - water circulates. The water floor heating device is designed in such a way that the heat exchanger takes water from the basic heating system (radiators, electric or gas boilers), after passing through the full cycle, the water returns.
The water floor is presented in the form of a radiator that heats in a horizontal position. The technology requires installation from above the floor slabs. Fittings and a concrete screed protect the pipeline system from operational loads - this is especially important to ensure when installing the system in a garage. At the same time, you can pour a concrete screed with your own hands.
A warm water floor can be installed without a screed. This is done in those rooms where it is difficult or impossible to pour concrete, this method of installation is called dry. As a rule, this includes houses with wooden floors and a small height of the room. You can install a warm floor without a screed in a country house in the country.
Advantages of a water-heated floor without a concrete screed:
Heating of premises in a country house, in a garage or apartment occurs in the process of movement of the coolant through a pressure heating pipe made of metal-plastic or other material. The principle of operation is that passing through the entire heating circuit, hot water transfers heat energy through the concrete screed to the floor covering. To heat the coolant, it is recommended to use an indirect heating water heater, which is also called a boiler.
The technology allows heating of the finishing surface within 27-36°С. The operation of the cooled coolant is carried out again, after it enters the boiler through the return pipe and heats up again to the desired temperature. A water heater in the winter can provide heating of the coating to the optimum temperature, but sometimes, in order to save money, a solar water heater is also used, which simplifies the task and minimizes heating costs.
Also, for this purpose, a special controller is built into the system, which can link the temperature of the plate with the nominal volume of the coolant entering the heaters. The controller regulates the system of electric servo drives, thanks to which the shut-off valves can not only limit the volume of water entering the water heater, but also completely close it in case of a critical situation. The controller can be omitted in cases where the water heater has its own similar element.
Control equipment
The technology of a warm water floor is based on the fact that the boiler plant provides the system with a coolant with a temperature of 50-55 °. The temperature of the water in the underfloor heating system must not exceed this value. At a higher temperature, for example 90 ° C, the floor surface will heat up to 40-50 ° C, which is uncomfortable for the feet. In addition, the cement screed will begin to crack, and the tile will peel off.
There is also an alternative to the boiler installation - a solar water heater. Such an installation can provide water heating for underfloor heating in winter.
The solar water heater consists of a block that includes a solar collector and a tank filled with water. Heating of the coolant is carried out as a result of the accumulation of solar energy and its subsequent transfer. The operation of such a device is not difficult, and if desired, it can be designed with your own hands. A solar water heater can increase its power if the system is equipped with additional solar panels. The scheme includes:
Another important regulating element of the water system that provides heating is the mixing unit, also known as the heat exchanger. It includes a circulation pump and a control valve. The pump provides continuous circulation of the heat carrier along the contour of the warm floor. The heat exchanger transfers the thermal energy of the water coming from the central riser to the water that circulates through the floor heating pipeline in the room.
There are two mixer systems. The first type of mixing units is called three-way - this unit is the most versatile and is able to mix hot water from the boiler with cold water. A three-way mixer provides smooth heating, such a unit is indispensable in cases where the system will provide heating for an area of more than 200 square meters. m.
The second type of mixing units is presented in the form of two-way supply valves. Such devices organize a constant admixture of cold water from the return supply circuit. If you choose this particular shut-off element, the system will be able to provide smooth and fairly stable regulation of the coolant supply.
Along with this, a valve is used that regulates hot water to maintain the optimum temperature. The controller ensures thermostaticity in the system - and the heating will vary depending on the change in temperature outside. The controller is especially effective for "weather-compensated" control in winter.
Another important device in the underfloor heating scheme is the distribution manifold. Its task is to effectively distribute the coolant over all circuits that provide heating. This device is equipped with thermostatic valves and flow meters. The operation of thermostatic regulators allows you to change the temperature in each individual circuit of a warm water floor.
For constant control over the temperature, a room thermostat can be used in the room - it can take control of several thermal actuators at once. Most modern room thermostats have a programming function. The principle of operation of such devices resembles a timer. The provision of system operation can be performed at specified time intervals.
Water floor pie device
The water floor heating pie consists of layers such as:
- Shielding substrate;
- Heating circuit;
- Flooring.
The function of the shielding substrate is to protect the heating circuit from possible heat losses. In order for the heating energy to be directed to the screed, a heat-insulating material with a foil reflector is laid between the floor slabs and the contour.
The water floor pie differs depending on the installation method - wet or dry. When pouring the heating circuit with a concrete screed, all work can be done by hand. Methods for laying heating pipes depend on the individual characteristics of the room.
The last layer is the final floor covering, which can be laid by hand with a dry or wet orientation.
Advantages and disadvantages of a warm water floor
The water floor has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are expressed in the fact that:
- There is no need to install bulky radiators, which then need to be "masked";
- The service life of a warm water floor is more than 20 years;
- It is possible to choose the optimal thermal regime in each room separately;
- You can fill the system with a concrete screed and connect the water heater with your own hands;
- The system provides comfort and minimizes the risk of colds due to cold feet;
- A warm water floor can be mounted under any coating.
The disadvantages are:
- High cost of installation and configuration;
- Difficulties associated with detecting leaks in heating circuit pipes;
- Mandatory connection of a water pump;
- Complete dismantling of the concrete screed in case of pipe failure;
- Slow heating of the surface (from 40 to 90 min).
Electric water floor
The electro-water floor is an innovative system, the peculiarity of which lies in the structure of the heating element. Thick-walled (20 mm) polyethylene pipes are filled with a coolant. Inside the pipes, a cable is stretched to its full length, which provides heating. The cable is presented in the form of seven strands made using a chromium-nickel alloy coated with a Teflon layer.
The principle of operation of the electric-water floor lies in the fact that the coolant in the pipes is motionless, that is, the system does not need to install pumping equipment, a boiler and a collector. The function of the coolant is performed by antifreeze.
Installation of an electric water floor is carried out in a concrete screed. The disadvantages of a classic water floor do not apply to its electrical counterpart - there is no uneven heating of the coating, since the temperature of the liquid in the entire pipeline is the same and the coolant warms up quickly enough. Such a system can be selected as the main or additional heating.
Important! The heating power indicator will directly depend on the width of the step of laying the heating pipes. The smaller the step, the more power.
It is worth noting that immediately after turning on the power, the cable almost instantly warms up the antifreeze, the pressure of which rises. This leads to rapid heating of even those rooms that have a large area.
How to choose the right pipes
XLPE pipe device
The most popular types of pipes for a warm water floor are:
- Pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene (polypropylene);
- Copper;
- metal-plastic;
- Pipes with an oxygen-tight sheath;
- Corrugated stainless steel.
A metal-plastic pipe is able to maintain the stability of its shape; a system assembled from such pipes must be poured with a concrete screed. Thanks to such products, you can mount the heating circuit with your own hands within two to three days.
Plastic pipes have a drawback - the material is permeable to oxygen. In closed heating systems, the constant “feeding” of water with oxygen is highly undesirable, it can provoke harmful corrosion processes in heating equipment. The plastic pipe is impermeable to oxygen, contains a thin layer of aluminum inside the polymer shell, it acts as a gas barrier and prevents oxygen diffusion.
Pipes with an oxygen-tight sheath are characterized by a high degree of thermal conductivity, due to which the heating efficiency is significantly increased. The disadvantage of the product is the lack of stability - if it is bent, then in the absence of fixation it will unbend.
The corrugated stainless steel pipe bends perfectly and keeps the bending angle set to it unchanged. The products are available in a wide range of diameters.
Copper pipe has a long service life and a high degree of thermal conductivity. Their only drawback lies in the high cost. In addition, it is better to entrust the laying of such products to qualified specialists.
Summing up, it should be noted that the most rational option would be to use pipes made of cross-linked polypropylene - they are strong enough, easy to install and cheaper than analogues.
Which finish to choose
Porcelain stoneware or ceramic tiles are often used to form the topcoat layer of the water floor. These products are wear-resistant and able to withstand prolonged thermal and mechanical stress.
Another suitable coating for a warm water floor is a laminate. Along with it, it is possible to use wooden parquet, the optimal thickness of which should be 5-7 mm.
Linoleum is the most economical option, however, its properties are quite suitable for use with a water heated floor system. When choosing linoleum or laminate, you should pay attention to the marking - as a rule, there is a special icon on the package that allows the use of this product to cover a warm floor.
Not all varieties of wood from which parquet is made can withstand constant thermal exposure. Preference should be given to a coating made of linden, oak or ash, these varieties do not deform in conditions of high humidity and temperature changes.
