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The demand from companies for both comfort and energy savings is increasing. This is not a surprise, because it is important to realise that employees feel more at ease and are more productive in a pleasant working environment. To create a pleasant working environment, all kinds of factors come into force like the interior design and space planning, colours and furniture, flooring and heating. The last two can perfectly be combined with each other. More and more companies are looking at combining their business floors with underfloor heating for a constant and comfortable temperature in the office, even when it is freezing outside. However, about underfloor heating and particularly commercial underfloor heating, there are still many misconceptions in existance. For example that underfloor heating is slow, cannot be combined with many floors coverings or cannot be used as main heating. Obviously this is not true.
Misconception 1: underfloor heating is very slow
Underfloor heating is a totally different way to warming up areas than we are traditionally accustomed to with heating by radiators. With a radiator it is the air that flows along the radiator, that is heated. That warm air rises, cools off against the ceiling, drops, and heats up again. With underfloor heating on the other hand, it is the whole floor that emits heat rays. That produces heat only as it comes into contact with opaque objects. The walls, floor, furniture and the like are getting warmer and ultimately the temperature of the air in the room as well. Because the entire floor with underfloor heating works as a heating system, the hot water that is needed can be of lower temperature than with a radiator. The space will be warmed up less quickly than with radiators, but remains hot for longer. Therefore, it is not so much the question of fast or slow, but more that of sustainability. Underfloor heating requires a different way of operating and adjusting your heating system. Not turning on and off all the time, but keeping it on at a constant (low) temperature, to keep the office comfortable.
Misconception 2: underfloor heating is not suitable as main heating in the office
Many people think that in addition to underfloor heating, radiators are needed to create a pleasant temperature in the office. If the unferfloor heating and industrial floors are well designed however, this is not necessary. Underfloor heating is an excellent main heating when the Office is well insulated and has also extra insulation under the undefloor heating. The main differernce is that underfloor heating under a commercial floor is extra economical. There are no radiators that take up space and not rattles in the pipe system. Also there are no dust movements or dry air. In addition, underfloor heating on it’s own is much more energy-efficient and more economical than when combined with radiators.
Misconception 3: business floors are not to be combined with underfloor heating
(image credits: Studiovhf)
Underfloor heating can be applied under almost all business floors, even under different types of wooden floors. The heat rays of underfloor heating are actually transmitted to all materials used, although one material conducts the heat better than the other. Ceramic and natural stone are best suited above a underfloor heating, because they are good transmitters and hardly reduce the heat transfer. Result: less heat loss. The vast majority of companies choose business floors covered with linoleum, carpet or pvc. All these floors are due to their low thermal resistance suitable for underfloor heating, almost as good as stone. A number of other business floors such as laminate or wood are only to be combined with underfloor heating according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
