Using a floor heating system for heating a home will help reduce the cost of energy resources and the area occupied by heating units. The principle of operation of all types of these plants is based on increasing the temperature of the lower layers of air, which then move upward, heating the entire room. One of the options for installing the system is the arrangement in the house of a water heated floor from a gas boiler.
Features and types of water floor heating
The water installation differs from other options in that the heat carrier is the fluid flowing through the pipes. In order for it to heat to the required temperature, you need to connect a heating boiler that runs on gas or electricity. The circulation of fluid within the system provides a pumping mechanism.
Plant diagrams differ among themselves in the structure used by the type of coolant and the requirements for heated rooms. Which model is better to choose depends on the characteristics of the internal structure of the home.
For a private home
In this case, it is allowed to install a water heated floor from a gas boiler and use electric options - cable or infrared. It should be borne in mind that each of the models has certain limitations for implementation. Cable installations cannot be mounted under a wooden floor covering (parquet, boards). Also, some types of wires emit an electromagnetic field that is harmful to residents, but its effect is offset by the use of a shielding film. When choosing an infrared floor, we must not forget that the coating is thin and easy to tear (with the exception of carbon fiber rods). Heating with underfloor heating can be combined with other forms - solar or conventional heating appliances.
For an apartment
Installation of a water floor in a city apartment is not possible, because when the system is connected to the riser, the pressure in the latter drops, which affects the quality of heating for users connected to it. In addition, there is an increased risk of leakage and flooding of residents located a floor below.
An infrared film can be mounted on a concrete or brick foundation in an apartment building - it is easy to install and takes up little space.
The principle of operation of a warm water floor from a gas boiler
They are based on interconnected pipelines with liquid coolant circulating through them. Installation work on the arrangement of the system involves the need to dismantle the old flooring. It is best to install it during the process of building a house or during major repairs.
The system includes:
- boiler for heating: gas units are used, as well as those powered by electricity or solid fuel;
- coolant: it is usually hot water, but non-freezing liquids are also allowed in the northern regions of the country;
- a pipeline for transferring water to and from the boiler;
- a collector that provides uniform fluid movement;
- forced circulation pump;
- temperature control device (automatic or manual).
For installation, metal-plastic or plastic pipes can be used. The former are distinguished by a longer service life.
Connection Features
For installation of the system, you can purchase a ready-made manifold cabinet, on which the necessary cranes are already placed. Feed and return are connected to it. Pipes laid on the floor are connected to the manifolds using connecting devices. It happens that the holes have different sections - then transitional parts are used.
To cool the liquid, a valve with three strokes is used, through which the feed and return are mixed. It is mounted where the latter leaves the collector. At the same time, the tubes coming from the boiler are connected to the collector devices on one side, and the branching elements on the other. The drain cock is located at the bottom of the splitter. Instead of a valve, a pump can be used for mixing. This option is preferred with a deficiency of natural circulation.
At low return temperatures, a condensing boiler is recommended.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the system are its reliability, high reaction rate to consumer actions (adjustment of the degree of heating). Residents will be able to maintain optimal temperature in the house year-round. Using the installation with a double-circuit boiler will allow you to have hot water in the house.
Cons are associated with the features of the functioning of the units and the requirements for their installation. If the power or gas is cut off, the system may stop working. To prevent this from happening, the user needs to pay for resources on time, as well as purchase an uninterruptible power supply, if electricity is often cut off in the area. In addition, the installation of the boiler requires a separate room, which has a number of requirements, compliance with which is necessary to ensure the safe operation of the system.
Safety requirements
It is supposed to install a gas heat generator in a non-residential room with an area of at least 4 square meters and a minimum height of 2.5 m. It must have a chimney. Some boiler models also require that the room has a window with certain dimensions (information on this is available in the attached documents). During installation, it is necessary to provide grounding and place the unit on a specially prepared fire base.
The walls of the room must be resistant to fire. If necessary, finish with materials that have this property. The distance from the enclosure to the nearest point of each wall should be at least 0.5 m. Flammable objects must not be placed nearby. It will be useful to install a gas analyzer - this will ensure maximum operational safety.
Installation of a warm floor with a liquid coolant in a private house will provide year-round heating of the room with the ability to adjust the temperature. To ensure fire safety, a separate room will be required for the installation of the boiler, which must meet a number of requirements.
