Meet the new generation of underfloor heating 

Underfloor heating and thermal battery in one

At a time of high energy prices, residents and businesses are diligently looking for ways to save energy without sacrificing comfort. In this context, the choice of low temperature underfloor heating is a logical step. Especially when this floor heating is installed on a bubble plate system of SST Europe, which presents a sustainable innovation: the Energyfloor. By integrating Phase Change Materials (PCM) in the bubble plates, the mounting floor now also functions as a thermal battery. This allows substantial savings on cooling and heating capacity, says Eric Rutten, Manager New Business at SST Benelux. "The installed power can be reduced by approximately 30-50% and also 30% savings in energy consumption is no exception."

Phase Change Materials (or: phase transition materials) are materials whose phase change (from solid to liquid and from liquid to solid) is used to absorb or release heat or cold. "Heat absorption from the floor heating pipes or environment melts the material and cools the environment," Rutten explains. "When the temperature drops below a certain temperature, for example in the evening and at night, this process automatically reverses and heat release occurs instead."

Lower energy consumption, higher comfort

Thanks to the temporary storage of heat and cold, extreme temperatures in space are avoided, he says. "By softening the peaks (summer) and valleys (winter), the cooling and heating requirements in a building are reduced. This allows the installation to be sized much more favorably. This directly results in lower energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint. Thanks to the more stable room temperature, room comfort also increases." In the Energyfloor, the PCM consists of an inorganic and environmentally friendly saltwater solution. "Here, 1 kg of PCM can store as much energy as over 30 kg of concrete," said Rutten. "This also makes our solution very suitable for lightweight constructions, such as timber frame construction."

For any room and any laying pattern

The Energyfloor bubble boards with PCM are suitable for underfloor heating pipes of 16 mm and for any laying pattern. "A big advantage is that the laying distance, for main heating, can be increased from 10 to 15 cm. Installers, consultants and developing builders have a choice of pipe spacings of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm," says Rutten. "The Energyfloor boards come in a handy size of 1,000 x 600 mm. Thanks to the closed PCM studs, the boards can also be easily cut to size, making energy-efficient floor heating possible in any room." The Energyfloor with PCM is produced in cooperation with SST Europe at Cronatherm in Germany, which uses recycled PS (HI) and 100% solar energy for this purpose.