System KAN-therm Surface Heating: Floor, Wall, Exterior

Economical, energy-efficient and comfortable heating

Increasing energy prices pose an opportunity for surface heating systems. Such offer meets the high demands of consumers who expect solutions that, on the one hand, are cheap and economical to use, and, on the other — stay modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly. No wonder that, as a result, more and more users are choosing to install hydronic, low-temperature radiant heating and cooling systems that use floor or wall surfaces as a source of heating/cooling inside the rooms.

Surface Heating — Is it worth it?

Surface heating may be one of the cheapest ways to heat rooms. How is that possible? -The air temperature in the room can be decreased thanks to its optimal distribution, which allows a reduction in the amount of supplied thermal energy. Low installation supply temperature also reduces heat losses — explains Mariusz Choroszucha, Head of Technical Advisory Department at KAN-therm, which during over 25 years of existence has grown to the rank of a well-known European manufacturer of modern solutions and systems for heating and water installations all over the world. In practice, this means the possibility of reducing air temperature in a room by 1–2°C (in relation to radiator heating) and saving approximately 5–10% of thermal energy — while maintaining thermal comfort, of course. As a result, investment costs may be offset after only two years of operation.

Choosing appropriate type of installations saves you from future unpleasant events of emergency. Those who select low quality materials and suffer huge losses due to the need to remove failures, learn the lesson too late.

- The costs of suitable and quality made installations of this type do not exceed 2% of total investment. When juxtaposing it with costs of possible emergency - it is a really small amount. In the case of using elements of improper quality and their failure, the removal of damages may amount to up to 70% of the investment value — emphasizes Mr Choroszucha.

Not without significance are also aesthetic aspects of surface heating. Since it is concealed, it allows for any arrangement of rooms. You do not have to limit your imagination with radiators and pipes. Surface heating is also characterised by self-regulatory properties - whenever room temperature rises, the intensity of floor heating is reduced, which also benefits residents'/owner’s finances.

Furthermore, contrary to conventional forced-air distribution systems that circulate dust, mould, and microorganisms around the house, radiant systems does not convect and further spread allergens in your home. Limiting convection currents eliminates the circulation and settling of dust. Allergy sufferers will especially appreciate the long-term relief provided by such a solution.

Wall Surface Heating

Wall surface heating is an innovative solution, which may successfully function either as a single, independent room heating or as a supplementary heating. It works well in both residential and industrial buildings, including rooms with slanted walls (attics), which unusual surfaces are difficult to arrange while using traditional methods.

The advantages of wall heating include a high level of comfort due to the ideal temperature distribution and radiant heat transfer, as well as a higher thermal output in comparison to floor heating. Due to the smaller thickness of a heating panel and low to zero thermal resistance of outer layers (cladding) of walls, the thermal inertia is lower and therefore, it is easier to regulate room temperature.

Depending on the construction of a building and walls, and the purpose of rooms, wall heating installation in System KAN-therm WALL may be executed with two methods: "wet" and "dry". In the first case, the heating pipes are fixed to the construction layer and covered with plaster; in the second case, the inner wall surface is finished with plasterboards with embedded heating pipes.

- In both constructions, the heating loops are connected to the floor heating manifolds of the Systems KAN-therm. The coils may also be supplied in the Tichelmann system, assuming the same lengths of individual heating circuits — explains Mariusz Choroszucha.

An important component of KAN-therm WALL heating systems are modern devices which precisely regulate temperature in rooms. Technically advanced wireless automation components communicate via radio frequencies, which significantly simplifies the installation of heating control and eliminates the costs associated with the distribution of many meters of wires in a building.

Customised Floor Heating

Underfloor heating is a well-known solution, owing its popularity to its energy efficiency and optimal temperature distribution which secures high thermal comfort. - Similarly, as in the case of surface wall heating, when using floor heating it is possible to decrease air temperature and reduce heat losses due to low installation supply temperature — says KAN-therm specialist. Depending on the pipe fastening technology, the type and construction of thermal insulation and intended use, several complete solutions may be distinguished.

In System KAN-therm Tacker for wet floor heating and cooling in residential and general construction, the heating pipes are fixed to insulation with plastic clips and then poured over with liquid screed. After a period of setting and curing, final flooring is laid on the jointless floor screed (parquet, terracotta, etc.).

System KAN-therm Profil is similarly used, heating pipes, however, are fixed by pressing them between special piping profiled on the insulation.

In residential and general construction, as well as in renovated buildings, System KAN-therm TBS works as an ideal solution for lightweight wooden structures with low load capacity. - It is a water floor heating based on System KAN‑therm TBS boards ('dry' method).

Heating pipes are placed in specially profiled insulation boards and covered with dry screed boards with a thickness depending on the designed floor load. The heat of the heating pipes is evenly transferred to dry jointless floor boards through radiating steel lamellas laid in board grooves — explains Mr Choroszucha.

Heating of External Surfaces

Sprinkling sand or salt on ramps, sidewalks and stairs is a thing of the past. KAN-therm technology provides effective tools to ensure that snow and ice on the surface of traffic routes are no longer a problem. System KAN-therm water surface heating enables such a construction of external surface heating installations that may be precisely controlled. Whenever modern KAN-therm controller of icing of heated open surfaces by means of sensors detects ice and snow, it activates pump which introduces heating agent into the loop circuit. After the task is completed, the unit will automatically switch off the heating circuit.

A house is an investment for many years, often for several generations. It must therefore not only be pleasing to the eye, but also be economic in its maintenance. Water and heating installation is one of the elements which, although not visible, are crucial for the comfort of residents. Well-designed and made of high quality, certified components, the systems will also quickly offset.