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Adaptable underfloor heating technologies from Schlüter-Systems

Schlüter-Systems, as a leading manufacturer of tile installation products, also offers both conventional underfloor heating (UFH) and an electrical undertile heating alternative suitable for diverse applications: the manufacturer’s two CAD-enabled options for the 21st century – BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT E.

The first is a hydronic system that can be installed in the traditional way beneath different floor finishes throughout the home or in commercial buildings. But unlike many rival UFH systems, BEKOTEC-THERM is based on studded modular panels which are quick and easy to install and offer a low build height with rapid warm up times.  A screed is laid across the pipe runs and, rather than waiting weeks for it to cure, tiling operations can commence as soon as the surface is hard enough to walk on by using Schlüter-Systems’ DITRA uncoupling mat which means BEKOTEC-THERM is ideal for time-critical refurbishment contracts such as in shops and offices.

Then, as an electric powered undertile solution, applications for DITRA-HEAT E are only limited by the imagination: they encompass demisting mirrors, warming walls or seats in spas and showers, and vanity areas or countertops.  DITRA-HEAT further finds applications for flooring and plant shelving in conservatories while the system has been specified widely in prestigious locations such as The Lanesborough Hotel and Langham’s in London.

Schlüter-Systems’ Technical Specifications Consultant, Tony Taylor-Sheriff, commented: “UFH technology has progressed enormously since the Roman Hypocaust, but there is still much that is not understood across the wider construction industry regarding relevant efficiencies and potential problems such as the importance of uncoupling layers, load distribution and vapour management. Our solutions have been developed to help professionals achieve quick and energy efficient installations, with BEKOTEC-THERM, for example, being able to offer the benefit of low temperature flow which makes it ideal for use with heat pumps or other renewable sources of heat. DITRA-HEAT E likewise offers rapid response and is very flexible in use.”

For specifiers and architects, as well as installers of flooring finishes wishing to increase their knowledge of underfloor heating technology, Schlüter-Systems also offers a CPD seminar entitled Specifying Integrated Underfloor Heating Systems which can be delivered online or in person.

With more than 2,300 employees and seven offices across Europe and North America, Schlüter-Systems is the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tiles and natural stone flooring. Schluter-Systems in the UK offers a very wide product portfolio including the Schluter-KERDI range waterproofing membranes, the versatile tilebacker KERDI-BOARD and its underfloor heating solutions.

Schlüter-Systems appoints new Head of Marketing The new Head of Marketing for Schlüter-Systems is David Naylor (pictured) who brings years of experience in the building industry to the innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tile and natural stone. David’s most recent position as Head of Product Management for George Fischer, a plastic pipe systems specialist. During his career, David has been involved the development of new innovative products, such as Durapipe PLX+, a fuel station pipe system, which is now distributed worldwide, and George Fischer’s Fuseal, a chemical waste drainage system. Also, during his time at Tremco Illbruck, David managed the launch of popular adhesive products such as Shark Bond and PU700.

Heading a team of 5, David explains,

“I look forward to making a positive impact here by helping the business grow and expanding the coverage across the industry. I am also enjoying working with my new team, who have been very supportive. It’s an exciting time to join Schlüter-Systems”.

 

CLICK HERE For further information

  

or call 01530 813396

 

 

 

or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk/

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Schlüter-Systems – Installer show preview

Stand H20 Birmingham NEC – 27-29 June 2023

At this year’s Installer Show, Schlüter-Systems will be focusing on their impressive range of underfloor heating solutions which comprise both electric and hydronic (water-fed) systems.  The new DITRA-HEAT-PS is a peel and stick version of the company’s established electric system. The membrane enables simple, clean and quick installation of electric underfloor heating with a thin layer of pre-applied pressure sensitive adhesive on the underside. The membrane is ideally used with timber and tile backerboard substrates. It is a great solution when tiling on P5 or green chipboard; and will work with other substrates provided they are rigid, even, load bearing, clean and dust-free. Samples will also be available to collect from the Schlüter-Systems stand at The Installer Show and will allow installers to see for themselves how well it sticks.

In addition, Schlüter-Systems will demonstrate Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM, the water-fed underfloor heating solution with low construction height. The modular system results in an energy-efficient heated floor system with low water supply temperatures.

The team will be conducting practical demonstrations throughout the show and there will be a competition to see who can install heating cable into the DITRA-HEAT membrane in the fastest time, with a chance to win £1,000 worth of Schlüter products for your next project.

The sales and technical teams will be on the stand to answer queries and there will be lots of samples to see and take away.

 

CLICK HERE TO Download full information on the show

 

For further information CLICK HERE to visit Schlüter-Systems newly relaunched website

YOU CAN REGISTER FOR THE INSTALLER SHOW HERE

 

 

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Transforming the installation of underfloor heating

First-of-its-kind jointless underfloor heating cable set to transform installation process

 

What: ThermoSphere’s Membrane Heating Cable is the first and only underfloor heating cable that uses TwistedTwin construction and in-line hot-to-cold technology.

Who: ThermoSphere, a leading British-based electrical heating manufacturer, has been using its technical expertise to drive innovation for over 25 years.

Why: Many faults occur around the cold tail joint of the heating cable because the joints, which are normally heat-shrink wrapped, are three times thicker than the cable. Installation of thicker cables requires installers to chase out concrete and cut into the membrane and insulation. This risks damaging the cables, joints, waterproofing layer barrier and reputation with customers. ThermoSphere’s new Membrane Heating Cable prevents the need to cut the membrane, insulation and flooring.

 How: ThermoSphere have incorporated the hot-to-cold joint connections into the primary manufacturing process, creating invisible joints and a cable that’s uniform in thickness from end-to-end. This drastically improves the installation process, with many benefits to the installer:

  • One-step cable installation saves time and effort, and speeds up and simplifies the installation process.
  • Stops cable failure by removing the number one fault in underfloor heating installations.
  • Preserves the waterproofing layer of the decoupling membrane.
  • Allows for quick quality workmanship with an automatically flush finish ready for tiling.
  • Compatible with all membranes on the market so installers can rely on trusted products.

CLICK HERE

For more information on cable specifications, pricing and to

get your hands on ThermoSphere’s new Membrane Heating Cable

 

 

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Book your Giacomini CPD course now!

Giacomini is now a CIBSE approved CPD course provider and is offering two courses that CIBSE members can take to contribute towards their CPD qualifications.

The first in underfloor heating explores heat transfer, design factors and component applications and gives participants an understanding of how and why underfloor heating systems work. The 1 hour presentation covers:

  • Theory behind underfloor heating
  • Benefits of underfloor heating
  • System components
  • What influences the output?
  • System design
  • Types of floor build up

The second course focuses on Giacomini’s other specialist subject, heat interface units, and in 1 hour participants will learn about:

  • Central plant heating systems
  • The role of heat interface units
  • Types of heat interface units
  • Unit components
  • System design
  • Heat metering
  • System performance

Attendees will receive a certificate that will contribute towards CIBSE CPD requirements.

To arrange a seminar, or for more information, please contact Helen Gibbons, Giacomini’s technical support manager 07824 595527/01454 311012 or email helen.gibbons@giacomini.co.uk.
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The complete stress-free package

When undertaking a building project, construction managers can often be faced with multiple decisions about which supplier to choose. However, one company is making this process easier.

Giacomini UK has recently seen an increase in requests for a combination of its services to be used on sites. The company is already firmly established as a leading UK supplier of heat interface units, as well as a specialist in providing a unique complete underfloor heating package, taking projects from manufacture (with three production plants, all based in Italy), through to design and installation via its UK wide network of approved UFH installers. Recent new projects and enquiries have seen an increase in calls for the two services to be combined and sees Giacomini leading the way in the industry in offering a joint package.

Giacomini UK’s managing director, Matt Lowe, explains: “Aside from our brass valves and components range, there are two main strands to our business – underfloor heating and heat interface units. Historically, customers would be looking for just one of these services but we are increasingly being involved in projects that would like a joint UFH and HIU package”.

Some of the key benefits of selecting a single point of contact for both HIU and underfloor heating systems are; improved communication, by having a dedicated project engineer overseeing the orders; eases time constraints to help meet deadlines; and finally, ongoing support and maintenance is easier and more efficient.

Matt continued: “Using Giacomini for the underfloor heating and heat interface units makes complete sense. We can handle all enquiries and ensure everything runs smoothly, so that our customers do not have the stress of having to deal with multiple companies. It also ensures the same consistent high level of quality throughout the entire process.”

Recent development sites where Giacomini’s joint package has been called upon are all extra-care developments. This includes the Harmby Road site in Leyburn, North Yorkshire where over 4,500 m2 of underfloor heating and 26 twin 49kw HIUs have been installed. Other projects include Langley Court in Cambridgeshire where 55 of Giacomini’s hot water only heat interface units were installed alongside underfloor heating in the lounge and dining areas of the apartments. Another project was Butlers Green in Haywards Heath, Sussex where Giacomini’s underfloor heating was supplied throughout a 64 bedroom care home, as well as in ten additional retirement cottages, as well as 58 HIUs being installed.

For more information about Giacomini UK’s HIU and UFH offering, call 01454 809100 or visit www.giacomini.co.uk.
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RINNAI – reliability really rules

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Rinnai, leading manufacturer of a complete range of A-rated continuous flow gas fired water heaters, is supplying the UK with what is thought to be the most reliable individual units* on the market.

The ErP A-rating** applies over the complete Infinity range – from small domestic models to XXL sized industrial units. Rinnai is the only manufacturer that can field a complete range of gas fired water heaters that more than achieve to coveted A-rating.

Rinnai can combine high efficiencies with high levels of reliability. During 2015 warranty claims against Rinnai stood at 0.05% demonstrating unparalleled reliability.

The next issue is servicing – the Rinnai system is simple and straightforward to service as all components are easily accessible and parts readily available.  Compare this to a business, for example a fast food restaurant or a hotel, running on just one cylinder, they would have to shut down the hot water system to allow it to be drained and inspected as part of the service. This would mean that during this down time the business may have to cease operating for a few hours while the work is carried out.

Another problem is a breakdown: if your only source of hot water fails then you have no means to provide hot water until the fault is rectified. If we take the worst-case scenario of a cylinder failure the whole thing needs to be replaced and this is no easy task especially when you consider the weight. You are now looking at multiple problems:

  1. a) You have lost all hot water capability.
  2. b) You need to pay for a replacement (if it isn’t covered by warranty).
  3. c) You have to pay for engineers to remove the faulty one and replace it, which can take days to change.

If we then look at a Rinnai Infinity water heater or multiples thereof, the down time would be reduced significantly, in the case of multiple units, putting up with reduced capacity for a very short period of time.

Servicing not only reduces the down cost of the business but can also reduce the servicing cost as a Rinnai water heater can be fully serviced and back operating within one hour. If a unit fails whereby it needs replacing, this replacement can be done in a couple of hours and if you have a bank of heaters you will still have the facility to provide hot water, albeit at a slightly reduced capacity, while one of the heaters is down. This is nowhere near as disruptive as having no hot water at all, and perhaps having to close the business while servicing or replacement takes place.

According to Rinnai UK Associate Director Chris Goggin: “The configuration of the Rinnai system is supportive of operational reliability. In effect, if you have a cylinder and you need to service it, or it breaks down, you are left with nothing but a standing body of water.

“Many Rinnai systems supply additional benefits to storage by using multiple heaters, let’s say three so the total system is made up of 33.3% by each heater. If one needs servicing there is still 66.66% still operational so there is no downtime for the hotel, restaurant or any other facility that uses hot water as a criteria feature.

“Some facilities incorporate additional heat engines as a means of built-in redundancy so that the system will always operate at full capacity even during servicing.”

Goggin concludes: “The Rinnai continuous flow system has significant USPs over any stored hot water system while at the same time offering built-in reliability and peace of mind to both installers and their customers.”

* With regards to the reliability of the units themselves a comparison of unit sales from 2013 until April 2016 against Rinnai UK’s warranty database shows 0.003% first year failure rate. (2013 is when the new database was set up.)

** All water-heating products sold in the UK need to meet minimum energy performance criteria in order to be legally placed on the market, and require an energy label.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

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