I'm about to fit UFCH in my new extension. Does anybody know who makes/sells "heat spreader plates" - aluminium trays with a channel for
15mm pipe to sit in? I've only found Polyplumb after hours of googling.
As an aside I've come to the conclusion that UFCH is a bit like kitchens and double glazing - it's seen as "exotic" and the market is infested with companies who will do it all for you at an outragious price. They mostly devote half of their websites to telling you how good UFCH is but finding proper information is a nightmare. Rant over.
There are a number of online suppliers of UFCH components, so you don't need to go to a specialist contractor if you know what you want. BES
formatting link
sell Polyplumb and Danfoss UFCH components, including the Polyplumb heat spreader plates. Another to try is IPPEC
formatting link
used by a colleague in a barn conversion.
UFCH is essentially a very simple system. It needs a bit of thought as to how to lay out the pipes (patterns, spacing, number of circuits, etc) and I guess if you want to be absolutely certain about it, do flow rate and temperature calculations. Usually I think there's enough latitude in the installation that you don't need to be that precise and can tune the system in place. That's the only added value a contractor provides, and most if not all UFCH OEM manufacturers will do the calcs and prepare some CAD plans if you ask them (including Polyplumb).
Some systems are more complex (needlessly) than others, some only work with sealed systems, some are limited to small floor areas, etc, but there's not much more to it.
I've looked (unsuccessfully) to find an online supplier from Germany or Italy where most of this stuff is made, and is very much more commonly used. Prices shouldn't carry the premium they do here.
UFH is not simple if you want it to work properly. An outside weather compensator to anticipate temperature gains and losses is essential for good comfort conditions, and economy. As is a Grundfoss Alpha auto variable speed pump. Manifolds are essential to distribute the pipes to the zones, which are usually one or two rooms. Electric wall stats can be used for local control switching solenoid valves on the manifolds for each zone, or use mechanical Danfoss variable flow stats, as in BES, and eliminate the electric solenoids and stats.
Have the weather compensator set the temperature of a thermal store and use an Alpha pump to pump this water to the manifolds.
Just connecting the flow and return from a boiler to the manifolds and inserting a blending valve between taking the temperature down to 45-50C, is the wrong way to do it.
It is perfectly simple - even the Romans managed it. It requires some careful planning to get the sizes right but that's all.
No it isn't - its usually used as a plumbers bodge to get around the inability of the self proclaimed "heating specialists" (aka plumbers) to do simple maths.
How do all those systems without one work?
You have just got back from the pub again I presume?.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.