underfloor heating All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[alexiane]

We are in the process of installing underfloor heating in our boarding kennels, using a bale burner to heat the water. We need to run pipes from the burner to the manifolds on the end of each kennel block and we are told that they can be surface mounted if well insulated, or buried underground to a depth of 1 meter.
If we bury the pipes, we will be laying them in water as the water table here is very high, and there are also drain pipes crossing in various places where we would need to cut a channel. On the other hand it has been suggested that we insulate and box the pipes in and mount them along the wall.
Our plumber is concerned that there might be too much heat loss if we run the pipes above ground and we would be grateful if anyone could give us some advice. I have also been told that there is now special piping available that is insulated and guaranteed to lose no more than 1 degree per kilometer, but I have no more details.
Any auggestions would be appreciated

[jpg711]

Hi,
I had a recent project where I had to run 22mm hot feed for underfloor heating to the manifold. The pipe run was only 20m and also indoors but I guess the principle is the same. ie. how do you retain heat in the feed pipe?

If your boiler is close to or attached to the kennels, then it does not pose too much of a problem. You can let some heat radiate from your feed to assist with the U/F. If you have to cross long open spaces then you have little alternative but to insulate the feed (and return) to the manifold.

In any case the U/F should run at around 60-65 degrees C so if you suffer heat loss in the feed it will only mean that the manifold passes more water through the U/F and bypasses less back to the boiler (directly).

Lucky dogs!

JG