It should go without saying that a precisely balanced underfloor heating system will provide the intended room temperature in the most energy efficient way.

As well as ensuring underfloor heating performs at an optimum level, hydronic balancing will keep customers happy and cosy over the winter months, and potentially save them money on their heating bills.

The path of least resistance

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, and this principle applies to heated water circulating through a building’s pipework. As the water travels from the energy source to various rooms, it will flow along different lengths of pipe, around bends, and through branches, valves, and heat exchangers. 

Different rooms on different floors have different power requirements. As the water travels around the pipes, it can encounter some resistance, which may mean some rooms struggle to reach the desired temperature. 

These issues are commonly addressed by increasing the circulation pump speed or raising the supply temperature. However, this approach not only leads to higher energy consumption, it can also result in persistent flow noises around the building. 

Balancing the system

To balance an existing system, you will need to thoroughly inspect the entire pipe network. This will determine whether each heating circuit receives the right amount of water and heat. The objective is to synchronise the flow paths of the hot water. 

It is important to have accurate information about the nominal flow rates of the system and each individual pipe section, such as pipe diameters. While this data is usually available in new installations, it is not always so easy to find in existing systems. 

However, required volume flows can be determined by performing a heating load calculation (according to BS EN 12831). The specific heat demand for each individual room is derived from a precise calculation of its heat requirements. 

If this data is not readily available, you can determine the existing heating surfaces using a calculation form, such as the one available on Taconova’s website (in the ‘Download Centre’ among the ‘Technical Aids’).

The required volume flows are calculated based on the temperature difference, the determined specific heat demand, and the specific heat capacity of the heat transfer medium.

Fortunately, the advanced technology of modern heating circuit distributors, equipped with intelligent components, can make the process much easier, quicker, and guarantee reliable hydronic balancing.

Actuator valves 

Actuator values, by opening and closing the water pipes, can play an important role in balancing underfloor heating systems. 

For added efficiency, electro-thermal actuators can be installed in the return flow of the heating circuit distributor to regulate the volume flow in combination with a room thermostat.

Reliable and comfortable regulation

To make adjusting the volume flows during the initial set-up of underfloor heating easier, the installer can use products that adjust the flow directly at the distributor bar, using balancing valves. Some manufacturers have even developed smart components that can remember any adjustments that are made. 

For instance, Taconova’s TopMeter Plus has a grey locking ring under the red adjustment cap that secures the settings once they are finalised. Memory functions in products like these can be particularly useful in apartment buildings or commercial properties because heating settings can be quickly restored.
 
Efficient distribution

As the demand for efficient heating solutions increases in both newbuilds and renovations, more contractors, specialist planners, and consultants are turning to Heat Interface Units (HIU) to help maximise the delivery of heat through buildings.

These decentralised HIUs make it possible to handle controlled heat transfer, domestic hot water heating, consumption data, and to calculate energy costs on demand. They also provide protection against Legionella and their compatibility with heat pumps makes them future-ready.

Modular HIUs, such as Taconova’s TacoTherm Dual Piko or Nano, follow the continuous flow principle to distribute heat and handle decentralised preparation of domestic hot water in a building. 

Modular units are easy to install and can precisely regulate the temperature at the hot water outlet, either electronically or without requiring any additional energy through a proportional quantity controller.