Space Heating

Creating Free Energy

Eliminating energy waste has been identified as a key criterium for achieving Net Zero buildings. The correct hydronic balancing of radiators and towel rails is fundamental in reducing return temperatures and hence improving the efficiency of a heat network.

Pt40 CP1 2020 Best Practice

Pressure Independent Thermostatic Radiator Valves (PI-TRVs), incorporate a maximum flow limiter (pre-settable) protected by an integral differential pressure controller valve (DPCV). This guarantees the required flow to each heat emitter despite varying load conditions.

Hence, a fast-commissioning process is achieved through an automatic balancing of the space heating circuits along with energy savings of approx. 10-12%.

These, coupled with gas-filled thermostatic sensor heads ensure the fastest and most accurate response to room temperature changes (i.e., solar glare), improving indoor comfort. Gas-filled thermostatic sensor heads offer further energy savings of approx. 5-8% when compared with liquid-filled thermostatic sensor heads and also a significantly longer lifespan when compared with wax-filled thermostatic sensor heads.

Rt40 CP1 2020 Best Practice for towel rails

Towel rails usually only provide a small amount of heat, and when towels are placed over the rails, they will effectively insulate the rail surfaces, further reducing heat output and raising return temperatures.

Installing a Pressure Independent Return Temperature Limiter (PI-RTL) on the towel rail (as opposed to the collective space heating return) will guarantee low return temperatures from the towel rail without compromising function.

Ft40

Traditional underfloor heating (UFH) manifolds are notoriously difficult to balance, especially when designed for a 10˚C temperature differential (due to low flow rates). Typically, a flow limiter is integrated with a flow gauge on the manifold with a minimum practicable settable flow rate at 1 l/m. However, due to reductions in building heat demand lower flow rates are often required.

Different room sizes and circuit lengths will make the balancing of underfloor heating manifolds even more difficult, where even static full-load balancing may not be achieved. Any unbalanced circuits will exaggerate heat up times and over-and undershoots, leading to poor indoor comfort for occupants.

The Ft40 Pressure Independent Underfloor Heating (PI-UFH) cartridge incorporates a (low) flow limiter (pre-settable) protected by an integral differential pressure control valve (DPCV). This guarantees the required flow to each zone despite varying load conditions. Hence, a fast-commissioning process is achieved through an automatic balancing of the underfloor heating circuits. The Ft40 can be retrofitted on existing UFH manifolds.

Hence, the Ft40 PI-UFH is a simple and cost-effective solution to balancing underfloor heating systems.