The ever-increasing tariffs for heating and electricity are forcing people to look for new, more efficient and less costly ways to heat their homes. A water-heated floor in an apartment is a structure that is designed to create a comfortable and healthy atmosphere with a small investment and sufficient safety. It is not difficult to make a water circuit with your own hands and connect it to the main system, but this procedure has a number of nuances, each of which cannot be taken into account.
Difficulties in the design of water-heated floors in an apartment
In most of the country, there is a moratorium on the installation of individual heating in apartment buildings. There are two reasons for this decision. The first is that the floor circuit takes up a lot of coolant, which is not enough for residents of other floors. The second reason is a decrease in the profitability of heating networks during massive outages from centralized lines. Therefore, it is forbidden to independently connect to the common pipeline; a large fine is imposed for such actions.
You can only put a gas boiler on your own in a private mansion after obtaining permission from the gas office. If you are lucky enough to disconnect from the central heating earlier, there are no obstacles in order to dispose of the system at your own discretion. Controllers are not interested in how the radiators and the circuit are located. They are only concerned about safety and compliance with the rules for the operation of heating equipment. But here one nuance should be taken into account: if the property owner decides to install a floor water circuit himself or with the involvement of specialists, all responsibility for the consequences of emergencies will lie with him.
In the event of a rupture of internal highways, several apartments from below can be flooded, and this is millions in expenses for the payment of compensation. It is easier and safer to install an electrical cable or tape system.
Pros and cons
System advantages:
- Uniform distribution of heated air. It rises up, creating a pleasant feeling of comfort and coziness.
- The optimal heating ratio for the body. When the legs are warm and the head is cold, a person feels good, experiencing pleasant sensations and without risking getting sick.
- If the system is intended for main heating, there are no wall radiators. There are no problems with cleaning them from dust, periodic maintenance and replacement.
- Freeing up space that previously needed to be allocated for harnesses and batteries. More design freedom and space for home furnishings.
- Virtually zero chance of leaks. The contour is made of flexible polymer pipes with reinforced walls. All connections are on the surface where they can be monitored and timely preventive and maintenance measures taken.
- Low cost of ownership. There is no need to pay for personnel services, transportation of heat carrier, losses and taxes, as is the case when connecting to city communications.
There are few negative sides, but they also need to be taken into account:
- Quite tangible initial investment. Even if you already have a boiler, you will have to spend a considerable amount on the purchase of materials, devices and work.
- Large amount of construction waste. As a rule, it is necessary to dismantle the old screed, fill in a new one, and this is accompanied by the formation of fragments and dust.
- The duration of the arrangement. You cannot live in the room for a period of at least one month. This is due to the fact that the full crystallization of the poured cement slurry takes 28 days.
The decision to install a water system must be balanced and thoughtful, not forgetting about the seasonal factor.
The difference between a water floor and an electric floor
The differences between the systems are as follows:
- Energy source. In one product it is electricity and in the other it is natural gas. The cost of the latter is lower, based on which the volume of expenses differs.
- Environmental component. The water is neutral and enclosed in a sealed container. It is not dangerous even with the addition of additives. The cable generates harmful electromagnetic radiation.
- Life time. For a cable, it does not exceed 15 years. Polymer pipes are designed for at least 50 years.
Subject to the correct choice of material and adherence to the installation technology, water systems compare favorably with electrical ones.
General device ECP
A warm water floor has a rather complex device, since it must heat the room with high quality and be safe in all respects.
The scheme includes the following elements:
- Circuit. It is made of cross-linked polyethylene pipes. The presence of internal metal reinforcement gives the products strength and shape consistency.
- Thermal insulation. Placed on a base to retain the heat that highlights the contour. Plates made of expanded polystyrene with a smooth surface or a surface molded for pipes are used.
- Valves. They are made of non-ferrous metal, which is a sign of durability. Parts are installed at the inlet and outlet of the circuit to divert the forward and reverse flow. Designed for planned or emergency shutdown of water before inspection, during repairs or in an emergency.
- Three-way check valve. Provides the movement of water in a given direction, mixes cold and hot streams to achieve the optimal temperature in the circuit. At maximum and minimum values at the input and output, it varies within + 45-50 ̊С.
- Circulation pump. Designed to create pressure in the system and constant circulation of water through the system. The choice of the pump is made based on the area of the room and the number of individual circuits laid on the floor. The most modern control systems involve combining a thermometer, sensors, a three-way valve and a pump into one unit. Automation ensures more efficient operation of the structure, economy and prevention of emergencies. The pump is equipped with an air bleed valve to ensure a constant flow of fluid.
- Collector. The product is installed at the point of exit of pipes, when several separate closed circuits are installed in a large room. The manifold distributes the flows along the lines, maintaining the same pressure and fluid velocity in them through a three-way valve. Thanks to this, there are no temperature differences in different parts of the room. Manifolds are made of copper, brass and stainless steel. Each material has its pros and cons, but equally successfully copes with the functions assigned to the product.
- Expansion tank. The product serves to prevent rupture of the circuit under the influence of excessive pressure.When heated, the water expands, the excess volume is squeezed out into the tank, and when it cools, it is drained back into the system.
Installation can be carried out independently, but it is advisable to entrust this issue to specialists with extensive experience in this area.
Water heat-insulated floor in the apartment
Before making a water heat-insulated floor, it is necessary to draw up project documentation. Based on diagrams and drawings, the calculation of the need for building materials is carried out. If everything is clear with piece devices, then the length of the pipes must be calculated for each room separately. In this case, it is advisable to take products with a margin, since practice differs significantly from theory.
The need for pipes is determined by the selected layout.
The most common are:
- Spiral. The heat carrier is supplied from the center to the periphery or vice versa. Complex and not always effective scheme.
- Wave. The line is laid with a snake, where the same gap is left between the turns. Such a system is easier to install and more efficient to operate.
- Combined. They are used for arranging premises of a large area, when a spiral is laid in the center, and a snake along the perimeter.
The need for pipes is determined by their length per 1m2. This determines the power of the system required for high-quality heating.
Depending on the step, this length is obtained:
- 10 cm - 10 rm;
- 15 cm - 6.7 r.m .;
- 20 cm - 5.0 rm;
- 25 cm - 4.0 r.m.
- 30 cm - 3.4 r.m.
It should be borne in mind that the total length of the circuit cannot exceed 70 m.
When arranging a water floor, pipes can be poured into a screed, installed in molds or covered with heat-conducting bulk material and then covered with slabs. In all cases, before closing, the circuit must be checked for leaks under pressure for 1.5-2 hours.
