Underfloor heating works by circulating warm water through pipes beneath the floor, gently radiating heat throughout the room. The JK® system combines features of both dry and wet construction methods, making it highly flexible for both new builds and retrofits. Using low water temperatures and efficient heat distribution, it provides an energy-saving, eco-friendly solution for comfortable home heating.
The JK® system
The JK® system can be seen as both a dry and a wet construction system, because it combines traits of both kinds of underfloor heating systems. For instance, the JK® system is often cut into existing screeds, but can also be installed in dry construction floor panels. In practice this means that the JK® system is often called on in both existing and new construction systems. The JK® system thus offers flexibility and can be adapted to different situations and environments.
What is a dry construction system?
Dry construction systems use pre-made insulation or dry construction panels that are placed on top of the existing floor. These panels usually consist of pre-cut channels into which the heating pipes are placed and which are covered with a floor finish such as wood, tiles, or laminate. Advantages of dry construction systems are amongst others quick installation and low floor build up.
What is a wet construction systems?
In a wet construction system the pipes are integrated into the floor in a snake pattern, after which a concrete, sand cement, or anhydrite screed is applied. After the screed hardens the floor finish can be placed. Advantages of wet construction systems are that the thermic mass of the screed ensures a more equal heat distribution and retention.
It is important to note that both systems use water to heat the pipes and that these are not electric systems that do not use water but power cables to heat. For more on this, see the section on electric underfloor heating.
Another distinguishing characteristic is the variation in offset distances, which enables a distinction between two main types: underfloor heating as main heating, and as additional heating. Main heating does not require another heating source, while with additional heating, underfloor heating works in combination with another system such as radiators.
How does warm water underfloor heating work?
A warm water underfloor heating system gets its heat from warm water. This water is heated through a central heat source, such as a central heating installation, heat pump, ATES, or district heating. After the water is heated to the required temperature, it is pumped through strategically placed heating pipes. While the water is flowing it gradually gives off heat to the pipes, which in turn transfer the heat to the floor.
The warm water used in an underfloor heating system flows in a ‘closed circuit’. This means that the water that passes through the heating pipes is not used for taps or the shower. First the water is heated at the source, then it is passed to the floorheating manifold through pipework. This manifold distributes the warm water across different loops in the system. The size and number of these loops is determined by the maximal length of the heating pipes or by dividing the space into different zones. After installation each individual loop is connected to the manifold, which in turn is connected to the heating source.
Because the heating pipes have a start and endpoint and are connected to the manifold, the warm water that is supplied can also be returned and reheated. The water temperature is gauged in the manifold and, if necessary, adjusted, and the process starts anew.
How much water is re-used without being reheated, and how much is reheated, depends on the type and size of the system. This involves how well the system mixes the water and how much heat is lost during the process.
Generally, underfloor heating uses low water temperatures, which makes it exceptionally suitable for energy-saving systems. This efficient heating system not only offers optimal comfort, but is also an environmentally-friendly choice for heating homes and buildings.
