Warm floor heating system with PEX Tubing

Warm floor heating system

Applications: water systems often used as additional space heating. Recently, they have to heat greenhouses and grounds and soccer fields.

Parameters: the optimum floor temperature from +22 to +26 degrees Celsius; allowable temperature 29 degrees (in the bathroom 33 degrees), the optimum coolant temperature 55 degrees, heat transfer from 70-100 W / sq. meter.

Materials and equipment: heating element - metal-tube (polyethylene-aluminum-polyethylene, the outer diameter 16, inner - 12 mm). In manufacturing, they are tested at a temperature of 95 degrees and the pressure to 45 atmospheres. Pipes are supplied coiled in coils of 200 linear feet, the desired length is cut on the spot.

Water-heated floors are connected to central heating or hot water at home. If any one or the other not (eg, in the cottage), then the total boiler. In this case, must establish a separate circulation pump and a special mixing valve.

In fact, this valve is placed not only when heated floors warm the pot, and always, if the water temperature at the inlet PEX pipe underfloor sharply above the optimum (55 degrees Celsius). It mixes hot water with cold water (from water supply system) and communicate coolant to normal.

The pipes of central heating temperature is usually 90-70 degrees, that is, when you connect to them mixing valve is required. The system of hot water - about 60 degrees, the valve is not needed, but no harm can be a counter on the water. With riser PEX pipes are connected through a distribution manifold by means of connecting elements (fittings, couplings, tees, nipples, etc.). They are made of brass and corrosion.

Typically, each room is installed separate distribution header, but it is possible to place and one in the apartment, with distributing a few rooms. Control cabinet to cover up all this "economy", it is easy to embed into the wall - the place he will not hold.

Heated floors and are equipped with temperature control, which, depending on the temperature of the floor automatically turns on or shut off the water in the PEX pipe. When connecting the system of floor heating system hot water instead of the thermostat is set off, which is the temperature scale.

By PEX tube attached with a netting of steel wire, insulation boards with a corresponding deepening of the PEX pipe and the V-shaped "anchoring" staples. As used polystyrene insulation, the thickness of 25-30 millimeters, and for screening of heat and waterproofing - aluminum foil or plastic film.

Installation: Installation of the system begins with the laying of the thermal insulation layer on the basis of sex. On top Put aluminum foil or plastic wrap. But as a rule, thermal insulation is made with already marked on it and marked out in squares with a layer of heat protection. This layout allows even lay pipe.

Pipe laying begins after you install the distribution manifold. A tee or angle the collector with the couplings attach one end of the pipe. Then, unwinding the bay, start laying pipe on marked squares. Fix it on the insulation V-bracket. Staples, as a rule, plastic, their thermal expansion is the same as in the pipe. Tips staples in the form of the arrowhead and firmly kept in a layer of insulation.

Pipe is laid in two ways: either as a "snake" (distance from wall is a step styling - 200 mm), or as a "snail shell" (on the perimeter - from the walls toward the center of the room). Laying off the walls toward the center provides a more uniform heat distribution on the floor.

If the preference given to "snake", to follow closely, so that the pipe does not twist and bend radius was not less than 5 of its diameter. At one "coil" is connected to the central heating system, shall carry a maximum of 10 square meters. meters. Within these limits, the pressure of the heating system maintains the water pressure in the pipe automatically. When heated floor area of more than 10 square meters. meters, connect to the distributing collector circulation pump.

At the end of the pipe laying its other end always supplied to the distribution manifold and is connected to the opposite standpipe.

Once the pipes are laid and fixed, is the test: the water is poured and pumped through the system several times. Experiencing the connected system and to file a higher pressure (pressure testing). Normal operating pressure pipe is 10 atmospheres, with trial served 15-16 (the pipe system can withstand pressure shocks of 25 atmospheres, which sometimes occur in the not regulated heat system).

Only after the system has been tested by high temperatures and pressures, it is poured concrete screed. A layer of concrete over the pipe shall be not less than 30 mm. Operating switching on, after 28 days (after the final setting of concrete).

Accelerate the implementation of the system in operation can be, if used instead of concrete solution from the "estrihgipsa. But this story begins to fasten over 2 hours, because leveling layer has as quickly as possible. But the floor will be completely ready in just 10-14 days.

When grouting area more than 30 square meters. meters, experts advise to leave "expansion joint" slit width of 5 mm. They are filled with elastic material. This facilitates the repair or reconstruction of the system. Above you can tie any plank flooring.

Optional: If the floor is ready to take it apart and specially for the installation of heating system does not want to, you can put metal-tube along the perimeter of the room at the plinth. It uses a special baseboard fasteners made of plastic, which is nailed to the wall plugs. Pipes are placed in its groove and closed with a decorative plate.

Operation: masters underfloor connected to a central heating system, completely independent of the heating season. At the same time by the system on or off is not necessary, you just put the required temperature for thermostat and hot water in the pipe system will be implemented automatically.

"Floors", working on hot water, more "manageable". The system does not depend on the will of public services, to include it can be even in summer, simply turn the tap on the necessary division of the temperature scale.

For proper operation of water "warm floors" are at least 50 years.

PEX tubing is getting immensely popular these days due to its unmatched strength, durability, flexibility and diverse applicability.

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