Underfloor heating from central heating, water heating at home

Heating private houses and apartments with water-heated floors is a fairly popular option, since the system is efficient and economical. Warm air rises evenly from bottom to top, creating optimal comfort in the room. Warm floors can be implemented in different ways, it can be a warm floor from central heating in an apartment or an electric one that requires laying a heating cable. Considering the cost of electricity, many residents find the idea of installing a floor heating from a battery in an apartment more attractive. The costs will mainly be for equipment, while heating costs will not be so high.

Is it legal to connect to a district heating system?

It is widely believed that connecting a warm floor from hot water in an apartment or from a heating radiator is strictly prohibited. This is not entirely true. A permit from the management company can be obtained if the apartment is located at the end of the heating circuit - on the first or last floor, depending on the heat supply scheme. Thus, the heat energy received in the apartment will not infringe on other residents in the apartment building. As a rule, you need to install a heat energy meter, and you can safely connect the warm floor from the battery.

The supply of heat energy is carried out through a heat exchanger for the warm floor in the apartment, which allows you to make the underfloor heating circuit "autonomous", not affecting other heat consumers.

How to make underfloor heating from central heating through a separate entrance

It is worth making a reservation right away that no matter what scheme you choose, a lot will depend on the quality of the coolant in the central network. So, in the water floor system there are a large number of needle valves, and if there are solid particles in the water, they can seriously clog the pipeline and lead to its breakdown.

Typically, the water floor pipes are welded to the central heating manifold. This scheme has its advantages:

a coolant with a constant temperature is supplied to the collector of the home system thanks to the installation of a special thermostatic valve;
in addition, the required temperature can be set using a three-way valve, also equipped with a thermostat;
and the installation of a special bypass also ensures a minimum water flow after the valves are closed.

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However, in such a heating circuit, it is required to protect the circulation pump from running the latter dry. This can be done by regulating pressure or flow. In addition, an overhead thermostat is often used, which turns off the pump when the temperature drops to 20 degrees Celsius. And in order to control the system more reliably, instead of a thermostatic valve, you can install a special regulator that adjusts the temperature of the coolant depending on the temperature in the room.

Using vertical layout

This method is based on the reconstruction of the existing radiator system. As you know, each radiator has its own limits for the flow rate of the coolant. The latter are usually set using an adjustment valve.

Underfloor heating scheme from central heating

In fact, when connected to a hot water riser, you can get twice as much heat as from conventional radiators. This is due to the fact that in the supply and return pipelines, the temperature is usually about two times higher than in the pipes of the water floor. Therefore, if the apartment has, for example, four risers, then hot water can be taken from two, and the coolant can transit from the rest.Typically, such a system consists of the following elements:

risers of a two-pipe heating system;
balancing valve;
actuator for a three-way valve;
three-way valve.

However, to implement such a scheme, you will have to replace the old batteries with new heat exchangers. This cannot affect the hydraulic operation of the riser in any way, since the settings of the balancing valves will remain the same.

In this case, the secondary circuit of the water floor is connected in parallel. If balancing the heat exchangers in the second circuit is problematic, then PVC pipes of the same length should be used.

Vertical routing with one pipe system

Such a scheme can be installed even within one day; the old heating system is also being renovated here. At the same time, in a one-pipe system, it is impossible to control the flow rate of the coolant. In this case, the warm floor is connected to the central network through a riser. To implement this scheme, one of the radiators simply changes to the contour of the water floor in the room.

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In this case, the temperature difference in the network and the circuit should not exceed 5-10 degrees. This scheme is considered dependent, since only one radiator in the room can be exchanged for a water floor. And the temperature is controlled by a circulation pump, which is controlled by a room thermostat.

Connection features

You can use the central network for more efficient heating; it is even possible (with the appropriate permission) to even make a warm floor on the loggia. However, when implementing any scheme, the following nuances should be taken into account.

To the centralized system, the warm one is connected to the side inlets of the collectors, using special fittings. The screed under the topcoat should be three centimeters thick and reinforced with mesh; the latter is laid on top of PVC pipes. If a laminate is used, then additional insulation is not needed under it - this will only reduce the heat transfer rates. In places where pipes pass through walls, it is recommended to use corrugated pipes.

In no case should the heating medium circulating directly in the central network be used. Most of the used mechanisms and structural units withstand pressure from 1 to 2.5 atmospheres, while in the central system the pressure can rise up to 16 atmospheres.

Which scheme to choose depends on the area of the room. So, if the dimensions of the room exceed 30-35 square meters, then it is better to make several connections, but to different collectors.

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How will the height of the room change from the installation of a warm floor?

When planning to install a warm floor from heating in an apartment, you need to think about not only the cost of materials, obtaining a permit. An important nuance is to take into account how the floor height will rise. It is necessary to install good thermal insulation on the subfloor so that the heat does not go into the floor slabs. For apartments on the second and higher floors, it is enough to install 3 cm of insulation (polystyrene, etc.).

If the heated floor in the bathroom from the heated towel rail is connected on the first floor, below which there is a basement or ground, the insulation layer should be within 5-10 cm. Next, the size of the pipes, the topcoat layer are taken into account. As a result, the final figure is obtained, by which the height of the room will be reduced. If the living space allows, you can buy equipment.

How to make a warm water floor with your own hands?

The installation process is very simple. Any home craftsman with the skills to perform construction work can make a water-heated floor with his own hands.All that is necessary is strict adherence to all points of the instructions below.

underfloor heating installation scheme

Instructions

Installation of underfloor heating connected to a centralized heating system is performed following the following sequence of operations:

In the apartment where the warm water floor will be installed, it is necessary to completely remove the old subfloor, up to the screed.
The base intended for the subsequent laying of water pipes must be made perfectly flat. For this purpose, use leveling compounds or cement-sand mortar.
After the material of the leveling layer is completely dry, its surface must be covered with a waterproofing film.
A layer of insulating material must be laid on top of the waterproofing film.
A damper tape should be laid at the joints of the floor and walls.
The insulation layer must be covered with foil-clad polyethylene.
Next, a steel reinforcing mesh is laid.
At this stage, it is necessary to install pipes in the heating system under the name "warm water floor" through which the coolant will move. The pipes are laid according to a previously developed scheme. Each of the water pipes must be attached to the reinforcement mesh with plastic clamps.
After all the pipes are mounted and connected to the heating system of the house, it is necessary to supply water and over the next day to monitor the absence of leaks.
The system pipes must be made invisible. To do this, they are hidden under a layer of screed with a thickness of 5-7 cm. To prepare the screed, concrete of the M300 brand or a ready-made mixture designed to create a warm floor is used.
After the screed material is completely dry, the topcoat can be laid on the floor surface.

Recommendations

In order for the warm floor created in the apartment to be reliable, serve for a long time and effectively cope with the tasks assigned to it, when performing installation, you must use the following recommendations:

the pipes of the system should not be laid in places where furniture will be installed;
pipelines of the underfloor heating system must be laid so that the distance between adjacent pipes does not exceed 35-40 cm, and the distance from the walls is no more than 20-25 cm;
under the window, a pipe must be laid, connected directly to the riser.

As you can see, creating a warm water floor in your own house or in an apartment that has a riser specially designed for this purpose is quite a feasible task that every home craftsman with the simplest construction skills can cope with.

Underfloor heating pipes

Considering that water floor heating is filled with a screed, it is clear that you need to choose durable pipes. The choice of a specific material will directly affect the price of 1 sq m of warm water floors.

But the price is not the main thing, it is important to comply with the conditions:

It is not allowed to use seam pipes, they may burst if the pressure increases. The same applies to a large number of joints in the underfloor heating circuit - this is a potential cause of blockage, leaks.
We need strong pipes that can withstand both the pressure of the coolant, and the severity of the screed, and dynamic loads (the benchmark is pressure resistance of at least 8 bar).
High indicators of resistance of pipes to corrosion, chemicals, scale, as well as sound insulation (so as not to hear the noise from the movement of water) are important.
The diameter of the pipes varies between 16-20mm (too thin pipes will increase pressure, thick ones will increase heat loss in the general heating system). Before connecting the warm floor to the existing heating, it is worth considering the presence of adapters, fittings of suitable sizes.

What is needed to connect a warm floor?

You can't just take and cut the contours of the underfloor heating into the heating risers. The water will not circulate on its own, so a pump will be needed.A system is also required to remove accumulated air in the system. The coolant in centralized heating is not clean, therefore, to protect your own underfloor heating system, you need to install filters that trap dirt particles.

It is important to take into account that the coolant in centralized heating can be heated up to 80 degrees, and you cannot put such water into your system - this will ruin both the screed and the topcoat, and it will be excessively hot in the room.

The optimum temperature of the coolant in the underfloor heating system is up to 45 degrees.

Therefore, it is necessary to install a unit that mixes water from the supply and return, as well as devices that control the parameters. Therefore, the price of a warm floor will include the price of a temperature sensor for a warm floor, a thermal head, and a servo drive, etc.

Floor heating connection diagram

To correctly connect the selected system, you need to prepare the equipment: a circulation pump, a servo drive for a warm water floor collector, a temperature control sensor, a distribution unit, a collector. Connection and test run of the system are carried out before the screed is poured.

The main thing in the system is the distribution unit, it regulates the temperature of the coolant.

Thanks to a three-way valve and a sensor (thermal head for underfloor heating), the owner of the apartment regulates the temperature, achieving optimal comfort and saving on bills. The essence of the valve with a sensor is the timely shutdown of the hot flow when the set temperature is exceeded.

A circulation pump is needed to evenly distribute the coolant in the system. The pump is installed after the distribution unit, but after the manifold group. From the three-way valve, the cooled water enters the pump, then into the collector and along the contours of the underfloor heating. An air outlet and a drain valve are installed in the upper and lower parts of the manifold, respectively.

The diagram shows how to connect - warm floor to heating in apartments that close the heating circuit. If the tie-in is carried out in the apartments in the middle, then the three-way valve is replaced with a two-way valve.

Alternative underfloor heating Xl Pipe

Those who do not have the opportunity to legally connect floor heating from a battery should familiarize themselves with the modern Xl Pipe system. Reading reviews on xl Pipe underfloor heating, they note that this is a kind of hybrid of electric and water heating that does not have their drawbacks. The heating element here is a 2 cm diameter polyethylene tube filled with antifreeze. Inside the tube there is a chromium-nickel heating cable in a Teflon sheath.

The design is sealed and safe. The system does not use the pump, manifold, boiler. The coolant does not move here. Installation of liquid electric floor heating Xl Pipe is carried out in a screed. Furniture and appliances can be moved without restrictions, the system will not be damaged. As the reviews on the warm floor as the main heating say, this option copes with the task, the temperature can be adjusted at your discretion.

The essence of Xl Pipe is simple and straightforward. When turned on, the cable begins to heat the coolant, quickly reaching the set temperature. The fluid pressure in the system ensures an even heat distribution. According to the manufacturer, such a warm floor consumes one third less electricity compared to other electrical heating systems. When compared with water heated floors, the cost of purchasing a boiler, collector and other equipment is excluded.

Floor heating with Heat Life infrared film

Those who have no idea how to properly make a warm floor from heating, or are unable to carry out major repairs in the room for this, should take a closer look at the Heat Life IR heating film. It is used as a main or additional heating system in offices, residential buildings, industrial and other facilities.Those who choose Hit Life underfloor heating note the minimum installation and maintenance costs, low heating bills.

As a rule, the installation of the film does not require screed filling. It can be used to heat tiles, linoleum, laminate, porcelain stoneware, and other flooring options. Energy is used to heat the floor, not the air. In addition, infrared film can heat any surface - vertical, inclined, embossed. Even with mechanical damage to the film section, the overall system will continue to work. Corrosion to Heat Life film is not terrible.

Underfloor heating from central heating: opportunities

In fact, this possibility is limited to a certain extent by the current legislation. Therefore, if you want to do everything yourself without applying for permission from the relevant authorities, then this can lead to problems, for example, to fines and the requirement to dismantle all illegal structures. And such difficulties are associated with the current ban on the subsequent modernization and change of existing communication schemes in an apartment that is heated by central heating.

So, when a warm floor is connected to the central highway, a temperature difference arises. In the central network, the temperature is usually maintained at 70-90 degrees Celsius; meanwhile, already at 50 degrees, deformation of the topcoat of the underfloor heating system may begin. However, there are several schemes according to which the connection of central heating is carried out without harm to the warm floor.

So, one of the schemes is based on the installation of a stationary heating point with a special circulation pump, which plays a key role in the system. If there is a single outlet in the apartment to the heating system, then the connection of water heating is carried out according to the principle of radiator batteries.

To make a warm floor from central heating, first of all, you should choose the right pipes. The latter are placed on the base floor with a snake and are attached with corner joints. Keep in mind that after the installation of the system, it will be filled with cement screed; and this means that if any area is deformed, in order to eliminate the problem, you will have to completely change the monolithic floor covering.

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In an alternative scheme for connecting the floor to the central heating, a return pipe of the radiator is used, to which the heating circuit is connected. True, in this case it will be necessary to install shut-off valves. In general, the installation of heating should be carried out with an orientation towards a closed system.

Advantages and disadvantages of warm floors

Among the advantages of using water, electric systems, underfloor heating, they note savings on heating bills. If the feet are warm, even the lowest temperature can be perceived as comfortable. Installation is not complicated, the appearance does not attract attention, like standard heating radiators. There will be no drafts in a house with a warm floor. Children will not catch colds while playing on the floor.

As for the shortcomings, they also exist. Firstly, it is the cost of equipment, installation. Secondly, water-heated floors require a loss of several centimeters from the height of the room. Thirdly, the floors should be free of carpets - otherwise, why heat them. When a breakdown occurs, it is difficult to determine which area is damaged. Furniture should not cover the floor so as not to interfere with heat circulation.

Having familiarized yourself with all the above nuances, you can make a conscious conclusion about warm floors, the expediency of their use in an apartment as a main or additional source of heat. In general, electric floor heating systems are installed in small rooms - in the bathroom, kitchen, bathroom. If you plan to heat a spacious room, it is better to give preference to a water-based system.In any case, it is important to consult with professionals, and later entrust them with the installation of the system, start-up and maintenance. This way you can get guarantees of the safety and durability of the system.