In warm-water underfloor heating systems, a water distributor, more commonly known as a manifold, plays a central role in how heat is delivered evenly and efficiently throughout a home or building. It’s essentially the “heart” of the system, regulating and controlling the flow of warm water to each individual heating loop beneath the floors.
Warm water from the heat source (like a boiler or heat pump) flows into the manifold, which then distributes it into multiple circuits that loop through each room or zone. This helps maintain consistent temperatures across the entire space.
Each outlet on the manifold connects to a specific heating zone. This allows for individual room temperature control – a major advantage of underfloor heating. Some systems integrate thermostats and actuators that open or close specific valves based on the temperature settings in each room.
Manifolds allow you to fine-tune water flow to each loop. This ensures that rooms closer to the heating source don’t get too hot while those farther away stay warm enough. Flow meters or balancing valves are typically used to adjust the flow rate.
Because the water distributor is a central and technical component, it should be installed and balanced by qualified professionals. Proper setup ensures the entire underfloor heating system performs safely and efficiently for years to come.
JK® Manifolds
Our manifolds are constructed using innovative valve designs, advanced production techniques, and corrosion-free materials, ensuring durability and optimal functionality. We offer warranties on various components, including a 5-year warranty on distributor appendages and a 25-year warranty on stainless steel manifolds.
JK® Ecoline
The JK® Ecoline manifold is equipped with a patented and uniquely designed mixing valve, which is adjustable and therefore suitable for multiple applications. Moreover, the JK® Ecoline is equipped as standard with a direct-mounted A-rated circulation pump, and is therefore suitable for connecting directly to a hot water source. The JK® Ecoline is generally used with a normal gas or electric boiler, but it can be used with any high temperature heat source (> 55°C). The pump circulates the water through the internal blending-valve and mixes the hot water with the cooler return water of the underfloor heating system. A unique feature on the JK® Ecoline manifold is the integrated maximum temperature protection. This means that if any failure occurs in the central heating supply, the circulation pump will turn off to offer a level of protection from overheating the floor.
JK®-LT (Low-Temperature)
The JK® LT manifold is not fitted with a circulation pump, making it an ideal fit for any heating system with a low temperature (< 55°C) heat source. The water supply is usually provided by a remote water pump, which circulates the water through the underfloor tubing, and is often part of a renewable energy system, such as solar panels, ground-source heat pumps (GSHP), air-source heat pumps (ASHP) or high efficiency electric, hydrogen or gas boilers.
For installation, JK Floorheating provides guidelines to ensure proper placement and connection of the manifold within the heating system. These guidelines cover aspects such as location, electrical requirements, and integration with existing heating infrastructure.
For further information, we offer a quote request form where customers can provide details about their heating requirements. This form helps determine the appropriate type of distributor based on the heat source and system specifications. Click here to visit the quote form.
