Growing requirements of investors and users of office space, as well as pro-ecological trends in the design of heating systems, make surface heating systems increasingly dominant in modern facilities. Alongside the previously popular underfloor heating is efficient ceiling and wall heating, which provides unlimited design possibilities while fitting into the concept of sustainable construction.
Cleanliness, comfort and good air quality are among the most important requirements European workers have for "ideal" offices. According to the What Workers Want survey conducted by the Savills consulting firm, it is the above factors that define a quality building. Investors are also defining their expectations, who expect functionality from modern buildings, but above all energy-efficient heating systems that will meet the highest standards. A good and future-oriented solution turns out to be surface heating and cooling - no longer only in the floor version, but also in the ceiling and wall versions.
Equal distribution of forces - heat and cool from the ceiling
Efficient heating or cooling of large areas is quite a challenge. The choice of an appropriate system is determined not only by investment costs, but also by design and layout possibilities. It is also crucial to ensure adequate air parameters.
- Plane heating/cooling, whether mounted on the ceiling, walls or floor, significantly improves comfort, especially when acting as cooling. Thanks to the fact that it works on the principle of radiation, it evenly distributes heat or coolness in the room without creating additional air movement, as is the case with radiators or air conditioners, explains Piotr Serafin, a technical expert from Uponor. - As a result, no drafts are created, and the entire system is allergy-friendly, as no dust pollen, among other things, floats in the air. Uponor has a range of ceiling and wall-mounted surface heating and cooling solutions. Providing maximum flexibility, the Uponor Renovis system consists of 15-mm-thick gypsum board and factory-embedded Uponor PE-Xa pipes. This creates an independent ceiling structure that can be easily installed on any mounting profiles. The Fix 9.9 System, on the other hand, allows ceiling heating/cooling to be combined with wall heating/cooling in a single installation, while providing a universal adaptation to demanding rooms with unusual solids," emphasizes Piotr Serafin.
Thermatop M Uponor - a solution for rooms with difficult geometries
photo: © Uponor
The Finnish manufacturer also offers the Uponor Thermatop M water system, which creates uniform ceiling surfaces in rooms with difficult geometry without compromising functionality. Such a solution provides a great deal of design freedom, as lighting, loudspeakers or other necessary office equipment can be installed in the ceiling without hindrance.
A step into energy efficiency: low investment and operating costs
Plane heating works with low-temperature heat sources, thus increasing their efficiency.
- Ceiling systems hold less water than underfloor heating, so its temperature rises and falls much faster, and we gain more freedom of regulation. Ceiling systems can also successfully cool rooms in summer. Although they do not completely replace air conditioning, but they effectively support its work. As a result, the number of air conditioning units can be reduced," explains Piotr Serafin.
In addition, Uponor systems are based on innovative solutions that allow them to be installed not only in new, but also in renovated buildings.
For more information, visit Uponor 's website on the A&B portal.
