The advantages of underfloor heating with heat pump

The history of underfloor heating

Underfloor heating has a long history, dating back to ancient times. It was first used by the Romans (Hypocaustum), who heated their thermal baths and spas. As the successor to radiators and radiators, it is experiencing a renaissance today in conjunction with technologies such as the heat pump. Compared to the older radiators, underfloor heating offers numerous advantages. With underfloor heating, the heat is distributed over the entire floor and flows evenly from bottom to top. This is in contrast to radiators, where the heat is concentrated from individual radiators and enters the rooms in a cone shape. Thus, the distribution from the bottom up is not only more uniform, but also less obstructed by furniture and, ultimately, more economical. In addition, it is silent and does not require radiators, which makes for a minimalist room design. Maintenance is easy and the lifespan is long, making it a cost-effective option. The rise of heat pumps and radiant floor heating have benefited each other in recent years. With this combination, you take a step towards a more sustainable future.

How does modern underfloor heating

Modern floor heating systems usually work in two ways: electrically or hydraulically (water-based). Air-based systems, on the other hand, make little sense in this distribution. Here is an explanation of how both systems work.

Electric floor heating

Electric floor heating systems use heating mats or heating cables that are laid under the floor covering. These mats or cables are electrically heated and generate heat, which is then released upwards into the room. They operate independently of a central heating system, but are a direct electronic system. A thermostat controls the temperature of the heating mats or cables. Users can set the desired room temperature, and the thermostat turns the heating on and off to maintain that temperature. Electric underfloor heating systems tend to be easier to install and are well suited for retrofit installations, especially in bathrooms or small rooms. However, they are by no means recommended because for every kilowatt of heat, you must also purchase a little more than a kilowatt of electricity. This means that not only are operating costs enormous, but the emissions caused can also be quite large, should the electricity have been produced using fossil fuels.

Hydraulic floor heating

Hydraulic floor heating systems use water circulated through pipe systems under the floor. Unlike electric underfloor heating systems, they rely on a central heating system that heats the circulating water. Theoretically, hydraulic floor heating systems do not have to be installed in the floor, but can also be installed in the ceiling. However, due to the characteristics that warm air rises, this is not recommended. A central heating system heats the water before it is fed into the pipes. Historically, the heating was often powered by gas or oil, but nowadays heat pumps are becoming more and more popular. A thermostat controls the water temperature and the circulation pump to achieve and maintain the desired room temperature. Thus, it is measured when the desired temperature is reached. Hydraulic floor heating systems are usually more efficient and are well suited for larger rooms or entire buildings.

Both systems offer the advantage of even heat distribution in the room, as the heat rises from the floor. The big advantage of underfloor heating over radiators is the much larger surface area and even distribution. A larger surface area facilitates the transfer of heat in the heating water (or the heating cables) to the air in the room. Accordingly, underfloor heating must be heated to much lower temperatures, which significantly increases the energy efficiency from the heating system. In addition, they provide a comfortable and uniform heat distribution in the room, without visible radiators or air spaces. The choice between electric and hydraulic floor heating in local households should almost invariably fall on the hydraulic system. Firstly, for reasons of energy efficiency and climate friendliness, and secondly, because central heating systems are usually in place and distribute heat hydraulically anyway.

Advantages and disadvantages of floor heating with heat pump

Below we have prepared for you a list of advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating in combination with a heat pump:

Advantages

1. Underfloor heating provides an even and comfortable warmth in your home.

2. Surface heating with heat pump is energy-saving, because low flow temperatures increase the efficiency of heat pumps.  

3. Heat pump and underfloor heating save CO2 in interaction because environmental heat and little electricity together produce a lot of heat

4. Underfloor heating systems are particularly low-maintenance and unobtrusive.  

5. Since no radiators are needed, you have more freedom and space in the design of the room.

Disadvantages

1. The initial investment may be higher than for conventional heating systems.  

2. The subsequent installation of underfloor heating is more complex than with radiators.

3. For fossil heating systems, the advantages of underfloor heating are not as strong as for the use of a heat pump, because the efficiency gain due to lower flow temperatures is lower here.

Save energy and costs with underfloor heating and heat pump

Underfloor heating usually requires much lower flow temperatures (mostly flow below 35°C) compared to radiators (often flow below 55°C). As a result, the heat pump does not have to heat the heating water as much because the heating water temperature is lower. Consequently, the energy consumption is also lower. With a lower flow temperature, the underfloor heating system can heat the rooms constantly and energy-efficiently due to its large heating surface. In addition, the combination of underfloor heating with a heat pump offers further advantages in terms of the following aspects:  

• Comfort and well-being: underfloor heating with heat pump provides uniform warmth in your home. No more cold floors in the morning.
• Low maintenance: These heating systems are very low maintenance and durable, which saves time and money in the long run.
• Environmentally friendly: heat pumps use renewable energy sources, which makes them environmentally friendly. Underfloor heating makes them even more economical.
• Interior design: radiators on walls take up space and must be kept free, underfloor heating allows more freedom in interior design.
• Health benefits: Underfloor heating produces less dust and allergens than conventional heating systems, resulting in better air quality.

All in all, the combination of underfloor heating and heat pump offers many advantages that will benefit both your comfort and your wallet.

Health benefits of underfloor heating for a comfortable indoor climate

Underfloor heating offers several health benefits:

• Improved indoor climate: Underfloor heating warms the room evenly, without cold air currents or hot radiators. This can help minimize drafts, which can be beneficial for people with respiratory problems or allergies. An even indoor climate can also help keep humidity at a comfortable level, which can help the respiratory system.
• Better air quality: Since underfloor heating does not require air circulation, less dust and dirt is stirred up. This can help improve the air quality in the room, especially for people with dust allergies or respiratory problems.
• Reduced humidity and mold: Underfloor heating makes it easier to control relative humidity in the room by reducing cold surfaces and moisture buildup. This can reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth.
• Better blood circulation: A warm floor surface can improve blood circulation to the feet and legs. This can be especially beneficial for people with circulation problems or cold feet.
• Comfort and relaxation: The even heat output of underfloor heating can help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation. This is especially beneficial in bathrooms and bedrooms.
• Silent: Underfloor heating systems are usually silent, unlike noisy fans or radiators. This can help create a quiet and relaxing atmosphere in the room.

The health benefits of underfloor heating can vary from person to person, but overall they provide a comfortable indoor environment and can contribute to overall well-being.

Cooling with underfloor heating and heat pump

Underfloor heating not only provides an efficient heating solution, but in conjunction with a suitable heat pump and appropriate accessories can also be used for limited cooling of the room in summer, which is a valuable additional benefit. On the other hand, you can not use this function of a heat pump at all with radiator heaters. There are two main methods of cooling: passive and active cooling, depending on the type of heat pump.

Passive cooling

Passive cooling uses the lower temperature of the ground or groundwater. A heat exchanger transfers this coolness to the heating water, which in turn helps to cool the room by a few degrees Celsius. This is an effective way to achieve a more comfortable room temperature in warmer months without using electricity for cooling. This also means that there are no high additional costs.

Active cooling

Active cooling, on the other hand, reverses the principle of the heat pump. Here, the heating water is actively cooled with the help of electricity. However, this requires a reversible heat pump that is able to reverse the process. With this method, more cooling is possible in the summer, but electricity costs increase due to the energy consumption for active cooling. For this, consider the cooling capacity of your heat pump.

Overall, the combination of underfloor heating with a heat pump and the two cooling methods offer a flexible solution to optimally regulate the indoor climate throughout the year. This allows for comfortable temperature control in both winter and summer, increasing living comfort. However, it is important to consider the respective costs and energy consumption aspects when deciding on passive or active cooling.

Smart temperature control thanks to heat pump

Controlling an underfloor heating system in conjunction with a heat pump and smart software enables efficient and comfortable heating control. Here are the steps and components required for smart control:

• Thermostats and sensors: To control floor heating intelligently, you need thermostats and sensors. These can include floor temperature sensors and humidity sensors. They detect the current conditions in the room and in the floor. Modern machines often provide temperature sensors already included.
• Heat pump: The heat pump is the heart of the heating system. It extracts heat from the environment and releases it into the heating circuit. Modern heat pumps such as the NovaAir are already equipped with interfaces for integration into smart home systems. Hydraulic underfloor heating systems and heat pumps make a perfect pair because their strengths complement each other perfectly.
• Smart home hub: A smart home hub or central unit is necessary to link and control the different components of your smart heating system. This can be a dedicated smart home device or software platform, which is included with the NovaAir.
• Software and apps: You need appropriate software or a smartphone app to program and control the heating independently. This software allows you to set schedules, adjust temperatures and monitor energy consumption. Ideally, this is designed for both experienced users and laymen.

Control of underfloor heating in conjunction with a heat pump can be done in several ways:

• Schedules: You can create heating schedules to adjust the temperature based on your daily habits. This allows you to automatically activate or deactivate the heating when you leave the house or come home. Importantly, the system also takes into account insulation and energy efficiency of your building.
• Temperature zones: Smart thermostats let you heat or cool different areas of your home independently. For example, you can keep the living room warmer during the day and cool bedrooms at night. After all, not all rooms have the same temperature requirements.
• Remote control: With the appropriate app, you can control your heat pump from your smartphone. This is useful if you want to change the temperature when you are not at home or if you unexpectedly come home early.
• Automation: You can also create rules and automations to control your underfloor heating and heat pump based on different parameters such as outdoor temperature, presence or comfort. This allows for optimized and energy efficient use.

The exact procedure for setting up and controlling your smart heating system depends on the specific components and software used.

Environmentally friendly reasons for underfloor heating with heat pump

Combining an underfloor heating system with a heat pump offers several advantages in terms of environmental friendliness and sustainability:

• Environmental energy: Heat pumps use renewable energy sources such as air, water or geothermal heat to generate heat. Compared to conventional heating systems based on fossil fuels such as gas or oil, these are CO2-neutral. This helps reduce CO2 emissions and conserve limited resources. The only source of emissions is electricity, which often accounts for less than 25%.
• Low energy consumption: Underfloor heating systems work efficiently because they deliver heat evenly and directly into the room. Combining them with a heat pump improves the overall efficiency of the heating system, as the low flow temperatures of the underfloor heating perfectly match the work of the heat pump. This results in an overall lower energy balance.
• Durability and low maintenance: Underfloor heating systems are generally long-lasting systems with low maintenance requirements. This results in a lower environmental impact compared to systems that require regular maintenance or replacement.
• Potential government incentives: In many countries, there are government incentives and subsidy programs to support environmentally friendly heating systems such as underfloor heating with heat pumps. These incentives can offer financial benefits and make the switch to sustainable heating solutions more attractive.

Overall, the combination of underfloor heating with heat pumps provides an environmentally friendly and sustainable heating system that helps reduce the impact of building operations on the environment. It can not only increase energy efficiency, but also provide long-term savings in energy costs.

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Long-term investment: increase real estate value

Underfloor heating with a heat pump offers many advantages. Not only is it a long-term investment that increases the value of your property, but it is also a sustainable heating solution. The heat pump uses renewable energy, reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, the heat output is more even and comfortable than conventional heating systems. Not only do you save on energy costs, but you also benefit from an improved indoor climate. And since no radiators are needed, you have more design freedom in your rooms. In this way, you not only create a comfortable home, but also make a contribution to environmental protection.