We really don't know when the concept of Radiant Floor Heating was first introduced. However we do know that it was used in ancient Rome as early as 60 BC. We also know that Radiant Floor Heating was also being used in Asia. We understand that this method of heating was being used in Korea, at or about the same period in history. However it is not important who was first in recognizing the benefits of heating the floor and allowing the heat to radiate upwards to heat the rest of the structure.
In more recent times, the major interest in Radiant Floor Heating developed in Germany during the 1930s. Germany found itself with a shortage of energy, both coal and oil. This resulted in the development of systems which could effectively conserve energy. We saw the installation of Masonry Stoves located in the center of a house, with surfaces exposed to several rooms. This system then heated the residence through horizontal radiant heating. We also saw the development of Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Systems with piping under the floor. Both of these systems did result in energy savings. These early Radiant Floor Heating Systems are the ancestors of the modem efficient Radiant Floor Heating Systems we are installing today.
THE MODERN RADIANT FLOOR HEATING SYSTEM
ACRO Radiant Floor Heating Systems Inc. has been a leader in the development of Radiant Floor Heating Systems. We prefer to call our systems "WARM FLOOR" Heating Systems. We have proven that by operating at the lowest possible water temperature, even though we may be using up to twice as much tubing, we can deliver more comfort with lower operating costs. This also allows us to incorporate low temperature heat sources such as Solar Panels, Geothermal, Wood Fired Water Furnaces along with more traditional heat sources such as Natural Gas, Propane, Oil and Electric Boilers. Our systems are designed to effectively provide an indoor environment which is Healthy and Comfortable, while at the same time achieving energy savings from 15% to 50% over other heating systems. The following drawings illustrate the air temperatures that are normally experienced in a building
with both a Forced Air system and with a " WARM FLOOR " system. The second set of
drawings illustrate how the air temperature at different levels provides greater comfort and less heat loss from the building.
Radiant floor heating is more comfortable than forced air
because it concentrates the heat in the lower part
of the room where occupants are.
Conventional systems just heat the air, so most of the heat rises to the ceiling. When we have a "WARM FLOOR" Heating System we circulate warm water through the tubes located below the floor surface to radiate heat upward to warm you thoroughly, from the feet up. "True Comfort"
An ACRO "WARM FLOOR" Heating System provides ultimate comfort with warm floors, free from drafts, dust, airborn bacteria and spores which are all to common in a duct system. "A real bonus for Allergy Sufferers"
We could go into a lot of Technical Detail as to what Heat is, and how it is transferred. We will refrain from boring you with this. When it comes to residential heating, and also for small commercial heating applications our chief concern is with the health and comfort of the occupants. The second concern would be the cost of operation.
Therefore, let us establish our objectives. We feel that personal warmth and comfort should be our prime objective. First we have to recognize that the human body is a complex heat generating unit, much like an internal combustion engine. We consume food, which is the fuel, which is digested or burned and produces energy.(Heat) The excess energy must be removed from the body or we would literally burn up. The internal temperature of the body is normally maintained at approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. To maintain this internal temperature the surface of the skin will be about 85 degrees F. The body must dissipate this excess heat in a controlled manner. If we lose the body heat too rapidly. we feel cold. On the other hand if we cant remove the body heat fast enough we will feel hot.
Air temperature itself can not guarantee comfort. Many examples can be used to illustrate this; For example we can be standing outdoors with an air temperature of 70degF, the sun isn't shining, and there is a breeze blowing, we will feel quite cool. However we can be outdoors and the temperature is 60degF, with no wind and the sun is shining, we feel quite warm and comfortable. Another example that is often given would be this. You are in a Super Market, the air temperature is maintained at an even 70degF, You are quite comfortable until you enter the Frozen Food Section. You suddenly feel cold! Why is this? This is because your body, being warmer than the freezer, is loosing its heat very rapidly to the cold surfaces of the freezers and the frozen food in the cases.
Heat will always travel from the warmer surface to the cooler surface. The rate at which this heat will be transferred is determined by the difference in temperature between the surfaces and the distance it has to travel. Therefore if you are sitting close to a cold window you will be radiating more heat to the cold window surface, and you will feel cooler than if you were sitting next to an interior wall. In each of these cases the air temperature may be the same.
A properly designed "WARM FLOOR" Heating System will deliver just enough energy (heat) from the floor to keep you comfortable. This floor surface temperature will normally range from 70degF to a maximum of 85degF; 85degF being the neutral point, or the same temperature as your skin. When both your skin temperature and the floor temperature are the same, there is no heat transfer. If the floor temperature is too high, you may feel too hot, as your skin surface is not able to radiate enough heat to keep your body temperature at a comfortable level. If the floor temperature and other surface temperatures are too cool, you will feel cold because your body is losing too much heat to these surfaces.
When once we have established the requirements for the comfort of the occupants of a building, we can then Engineer and Design a System to provide the ideal comfort level. In an Ideal Situation we would regulate the temperature of all surfaces in each room so that there is little or no heat transfer between you and the other surfaces, thus providing comfort, even though the air around you could be as much as 10 degrees or more cooler than what you may be used to.
It isn't too practical to try and put heating into the walls, windows, doors and ceiling. However, we do have the floor surface, which is often the single largest surface available. This surface, fortunately is readily accessible and is in most cases the surface where most of the heat transfer from the body takes place. This is especially true when we relax, as in a Lazy Boy Recliner, or on the Sofa.
The method of introducing heat to the floor will vary depending on the structure. The following illustrations show the most popular applications. The prefered method will be a method with the most mass, such as with slab-on-grade or a thin (1 1/2 inch) slab over wood floor.
For concrete floors, the tube is attached to
a reinforcing mesh before the slab is poured |
Generally, in new construction, tube is installed
over suspended floors and covered with
concrete |
In a typical remodeling project, the tube is snapped
into heat transfer plates which radiate heat to the floor above |
What then constitutes a well designed "WARM FLOOR" Heating System?
First, we must have a Heat Source. This may be a Gas Boiler, Propane Boiler, Oil Boiler, Electric Boiler, Wood Boiler, Ground Source Heat Pump, or we may combine one or more of these with Solar Panels or with Wind Turbines. With any of these systems we can operate at very low water temperatures as we have a large radiation surface.
Second we must install sufficient tubing, properly placed, below the floor surface to ensure that we can maintain a uniform surface temperature across the floor to ensure the comfort level in each room.
Third we must incorporate a Control System which will control the water temperature and the flow to each room. This is probably the most important component when we consider the variables, such as solar gain during the day, versus high heat loss at night. Then we have wind exposure, and of course we may desire lower or higher temperatures in diffierent rooms.
Fortunately a well designed "WARM FLOOR" Heating System by ACRO RADIANT FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS INC can deliver all of this. Yes! you can have all of this comfort and at the same time enjoy energy savings which can range from 15% to 50%, over forced air systems. The Energy Savings will vary depending on the type of construction.
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Acro Radiant Floor Heating Systems Inc.
1516 Oakcrest Drive ~ Victoria BC V8P 1K6
tel: 250-595-3409 fax: 250-595-2171
jim.acro@shaw.ca
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