Commercial Applications

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Large buildings with traditional heating systems installed require a high energy input to maintain a comfort level for the occupants, the greater the temperature difference between the inside and the outside, the higher the energy input required.

The historically accepted practice of blowing heated air in to this type of building can no longer be justified for a number of reasons:

Heated air is very buoyant and immediately rises to the high roof void. The usual practice then is to fit de-stratification fans at a high level in an attempt to force the heated air back down to the occupied space below. The end result of such a system is the requirement for a large amount of costly rotating machinery, fans, ducting etc. which uses excessive amounts of energy and generates both a noisy and unhealthy atmosphere.

In a property of 2000sq.m floor area and 7m roof being heated by a traditional hot air system, the temperature stratification will be opposite to that which is considered conducive to an acceptable comfort level. That is, the highest temperature will be in the roof void and the lowest at floor level where the occupants are. Typical values in such a case would be approximately 26°C at high level and 17°C at low level.

Taking a roof of 2000sq.m with an external temperature of minus 5°C the heat losses would be in the region of 27.9kw – assuming 26 under the roof.

The cost of energy has risen steadily since the introduction of the Climate Levy tax. This new fuel tax affects large commercial buildings by applying a surcharge to fuel used. It therefore makes commercial sense to giving serious consideration to a method of heating which greatly conserves energy and applies that energy to the building in the most cost effective way.

Underfloor Heating

When the floor is warmed it emits radiant heat vertically. The energy used is partly absorbed and partly reflected by the people and objects in the building, it does not heat the air directly. The result is warm feet and a cool head at a lower temperature than that produced by a convection system. The radiant effect dissipates after about 3 metres therefore no energy is wasted at high levels. Typical temperatures (as above example) would be 20°C at floor level and approximately 16°C at high level. Roof heat losses with a temperature difference of 21°C would be 18.9kw, a saving of 9kw per hour. Huge savings in energy such as this will apply to all elements of the building structure and on average show savings in excess of 40% compared to traditional convection systems.