UNDERFLOOR HEATING – YOURS TO CONTROL

By Dean Jepson, Managing Director, Salus Controls plc

For those of you old enough to remember the 1980’s, you may recall that

underfloor heating was either the preserve of the creative selfbuilder or the more

imaginative architect. Despite it being around since Roman times and accounting

for a large percentage of heating in some European markets, us British remained

fiercely loyal to our wet radiators.

30 years later and finally the comfort and aesthetic freedom afforded by UFH has

become widely accepted by housebuilders and homeowners alike. Once confined

to the top end of the housing market, UFH is now a standard solution for all

building types - even less costly properties. Plus, with the continued drive

towards higher efficiency, the longevity of UFH for both new builds and retrofits

looks guaranteed.

Installers too have realised the benefits of UFH - relative simplicity of installation,

good financial rewards and lack of competition. However, when it comes to

choosing heating controls for UFH, the options can seem endless.

Just as there are a multitude of UFH floor constructions and fixing systems

available, there is also a wide range of UFH heating controls. Although it may

seem daunting at first, remember that you don’t have one single light switch to

control the entire house! As with all heating systems, appropriate controls are

needed to achieve optimum comfort and economy and are a proven measure

that can reduce household energy usage.

UFH lends itself more to being zoned, particularly small rooms such as

bathrooms and ensuites where the UFH can be used to take the chill off a tiled

surface. UFH controls may be used to operate a sole heating system or may be

linked to radiators or a hot water cylinder. For simplification purposes, they can

be categorised as follows:

Flow Controls: Low flow temperature is essential in UFH systems, not only to

improve the comfort level and avoid thermal overloads, but to achieve the

lowest possible temperature return, thus maximising energy savings in the

boiler. Low flow temperature is normally achieved via quick response two or

three port motorised valves that come in all shapes and sizes to suit different

applications, all of which are easy to install and maintain.

Room Temperature Controls:

Room thermostats also help control the water flow to the UFH system and will

ensure that the temperature is automatically adjusted to the homeowner’s

personal comfort levels, with the boiler switching off when the desired

temperature is reached. Choose from either a hard-wired thermostat or wireless

thermostats that can either be programmable or non-programmable.

Boiler Controls:

The use of heating controls to create zones are ideal for UFH systems and enable

the homeowner to gain greater control over their heating and hot water systems.

A central control can offer control of multiple zones and can enable the whole

system to be placed in away zone, setback mode and even holiday mode.

Remote control from the internet or a mobile phone is also a possibility.

Based on extensive market research and incorporating the design and technical

vision for which Salus is renowned, a new range of advanced thermostats

together with wiring centre, pump logic and actuators, has been launched.

Designed to provide a primary UFH solution or an extension to an existing

heating system, this three model range is suitable for both wet and electric

systems and boasts optimum performance with ease of operation and

installation. More importantly, all models come with a competitive price tag.

Whilst the ERT2O is a standard electronic room thermostat designed to provide

automatic temperature control, the ERT30 is a digital thermostat that boasts

simple touch operation to ensure precise and convenient operation. Meanwhile,

the top-of-the-range ERT50 programmable room thermostat features

temperature zones with three preset profiles, two freely programmable profiles,

memory back-up, keypad lock, manual override and even a holiday feature. All

models also feature Pulse Width Modulation, Valve Protection and a Night Set

Back facility to control overnight temperatures at a level below normal day

operation.

Also at the heart of Salus’ UFH system is the wiring centre (KL06), a simple yet

sophisticated plug-in system that enables up to six thermostats and 24 actuator

units to be connected. It is upgradable with Salus’ pump logic module (PL06) to

enable the pump only to be switched on when hot water is required for the UFH

system, thereby ensuring higher energy efficiency and reduced costs.

Whether it’s for a small UFH single-room system such as a bathroom or

conservatory, a large or whole house system or even a mixed UFH/radiator

system, there are heating controls to meet every requirement. And, as more and

more householders look to add an extra touch of warmth and luxury to

bathrooms, kitchens and conservatories, UFH opportunities abound.

Without doubt, UFH is here to stay and quite simply, it is yours to control.

For further information on Salus and its product range, visit www.salus-tech.com

or contact 08700 766900

-ENDS-

PRESS CONTACT:

Julie A. Watson

Wentworth Communications Ltd

Tel: 0161 973 6763 Fax: 0161 969 6813

Email: julie@wentworthcomms.co.uk