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Renewable energy and underfloor heating
Growing concern for the environment and regarding energy costs amongst consumers is bringing an increasing emphasis on how homes are heated. In addition, the Government’s new Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH), which gives new homes a sustainability rating, includes carbon emissions levels in that rating.
Underfloor heating offers energy savings to the homeowner when compared to traditional radiator systems. Typically the water used in a UFH system only needs to be heated to 45-65˚C, which contrasts with radiator systems, which use water at 70-80˚C.
In addition heat sources (condensing boilers and green technologies such as heat pumps etc.) are able to operate much more efficiently at the low water temperatures required by underfloor heating systems.
In addition to this general saving, due to the lower water temperatures required, UFH systems lend themselves to use in conjunction with energy-saving or renewable energy heat sources. MWG Underfloor Heating Projects have already completed many projects where its UFH is provided with heated water by either a Ground Source heat pump or an Air/Water heat pump.
The rating in the CfSH in the Design Category ‘Energy/CO2’ is based on what savings can be made in this area from a base target level. The UFH system, if properly specified, should contribute to an energy saving in any case, and the use of renewable energy sources would improve the rating in this category even further, assisting in giving a new home an appealing overall CfSH rating .
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