Who will benefit from fan coils? Before us summer time - the hottest months of the year. Given the current climate situation - in the summer months temperatures in Europe are almost tropical. Some of you would certainly like to air condition your interiors with a single, universal device. Air-conditioning means maintaining appropriate air temperature conditions. It is regardless of the weather and season (which means in practice: controlling heating or cooling systems). In such a situation it is worth to consider and install a fan coil units.

This article answers the questions about fan coils:

What are fan coils units?

Fan coil units are heating and cooling devices whose task is to maintain the optimum temperature in the room. How do they work? Simply put, on the principle of heat exchange with the environment through fans. This is a practical, common solution used in public buildings. Fan coil heats, cools or heats and cools the interior. Heating and cooling medium here is water.

Fan coil units are generally used in large buildings (office buildings, auditoriums, cinema halls). But there is no objection to install them in private homes for the convenience of the householder. The condition is to have a hydraulically prepared cooling system.

Advantages of using fan coil units

- low thermal inertia allows quick adjustment of air temperature to current needs

- eco-friendly: unlike an air conditioner, a fan coil heats and cools the air using water medium not freons. They are chemical compounds whose emission to the atmosphere causes damage to the ozone layer

What types of fan coil units are there?

A two-pipe fan coil has only one heat/cool exchanger. So, it either heats or cools (requires switching from cooling to heating and from heating to cooling).

A four-pipe fan coil is a unit with two exchangers, which can operate both modes simultaneously.

The commonly used fan coils use fans for their work (to force air circulation). On the other hand, induction-based devices don’t have a fan, but uses the power of induction of external air. The air is sucked in, directed to the exchanger, heated/cooled and then blown out into the room.

Fan coil units: division according to the installation method

2. Ceiling-installed: depending on the variant, mounted horizontally or vertically

3. Cassette-installed: the most popular variant, mounted in the suspended ceiling

To sum up, most fan coil units available on the market provide: simple installation. Also -, easy access and economical, efficient operation in spaces. However, their functionality can be multiplied.

Fan coil units can work even more efficiently

How? By using modern, automatic control. Properly selected control system can avoid overheating or overcooling of the interior.

SALUS Controls offers multifunctional, room controller designed to control two-pipe or four-pipe fan coil units: FC600 device.

Fan coil units users can experience increased thermal comfort due to the accuracy of control offered by the FC600 controller. The device is equipped with TPI control algorithm. It controls fans and valves in very precise way. In order to reach and maintain the desired temperature setpoint in the room. In a two-pipe system, V1 output controls heating and cooling, in a four-pipe system, V1 output controls heating and V2 output controls cooling.

Our FC600 controller will successfully control trench heaters or water heaters with built-in fans. Multiple settings and configurations (FC600 operates according to time/temperature schedules) allow it to be used in many types of interiors. The main benefit is improved temperature control and continuous monitoring of heating/cooling parameters - also via the Internet. In order to control FC600 from mobile devices or web browsers (Online mode) it is required to have Internet connection and UGE600 Internet gateway available from SALUS Controls offer. Online mode provides immediate access to the latest device updates (updates are made automatically).

Find out what our new product is for! Now you can charge Quantum SQ610RF and WQ610RF thermostats with the modern charging station!

It allows you to conveniently charge the batteries of two models of wireless thermostats SQ610RF and WQ610RF using a USB port.

Owners, investors and installers of smart home systems know that this purchase is an important investment. It improves the comfort of life. You want to know what kind of expenditure you have to take into account. And here we disclose right away that there is no single answer to this question. It all depends on the property and the needs and expectations of its users. Our system configurator will help with this case.

You will learn from the text:
• what is SALUS Controls system configurator and what is it used for?
• what does the cost of system installation depend on?

Smart Home is more than convenience

Comfort is not limited only to remote shut off the iron or turn on a lamp. Smart home control means:

a. optimal heating control: the ideal temperature in every room
b. home economics: lower expenses for energy consumption
c. control of appliances such as roller blinds, lighting, garden sprinklers
d. security of property: alarm sensors, SMS notifications
e. environmental protection: lower emission of pollutants
f. everyday comfort and convenience

Intelligent home today is associated with modernity, energy efficiency, safety, control of expenses. The scenarios of dependencies between devices working in the system are almost limitless. However, the question of creating a system and its price remains open. That is why SALUS Controls technical specialists have created a system configurator.

System Configurator - what is it?

SALUS configurator is a user-friendly selection tool. It helps installer/user to assemble products and create a system best suited to the needs of household members. We have architecturally different houses/apartments, different types of heating systems. The rhythm of life of each of us is also different. So there is no universal system. Such which pre-programmed settings will meet the expectations of all. That's why control elements of intelligent house have to be chosen individually. "Made to measure", like clothes at the tailor's.

SALUS configurator was created based on our experts' experience gained from talking to customers calling the Technical Support Hotline. Knowing what their most common questions and problems are, we created a tool. It can be called "virtual version of an advisor". You can use it at any time, working at your own pace. Or choosing different product combinations and calculating control options and costs in real time.

Using SALUS Controls configurator in the "user" option consists in answering a few basic questions.

They are about the technical conditions of the building (type of installation, floor space, number of radiators, etc.). This information is crucial for the selection of control devices. In the "installer" option, the questions are of a more technical nature. For example we ask about the number of manifolds -which corresponds to the number of wiring centres needed. Or about the number of loops connected to the manifold.

After providing the answer, the configurator indicates the list and the number of products needed; the available variants from which you can choose the right one in terms of function, price, design.

Finally, the configurator proposes optional products, i.e. those that may be necessary during the installation. They can be temperature sensor, protective head cover, 16A relay module, additional ZigBee network amplifier. In this way an outline cost calculation is created.

Smart home - how much does it cost to implement a system?

Where to start?

At the beginning you need to know whether you care about controlling heating via the Internet. On the one hand, this option requires an additional fee. On the other hand though - incomparably increases the convenience and functionality of the entire system. Then you need to specify what type of heating you want to control: radiator, floor, electric. If mixed heating is involved, you need to take into account the products needed for both types (floor and radiator). Smart Home accessories are an additional cost.

Characteristics of a sample house

Basic building of which we will indicatively show the operation of our configurator, is one-storey with a usable attic. Downstairs, there is an underfloor-heated living room with a kitchen and a bathroom. In the attic there are three radiator-heated bedrooms, each with one radiator. Altogether there are five rooms. The bathroom has one window. Let's assume that the residents have decided to control their home via the Internet, using selected SALUS Smart Home accessories. What products did the configurator indicate? What will the household gain thanks to them?

Explore the possibilities: how does the configurator work?

Let's divide home control areas into four categories:
1. Heating control
2. Control of lighting and roller shutters
3. Example OneTouch rules
4. Fault detection

Heating control

For control heating in such a designed house via the Internet, you need to have temperature thermostats. Modern Quantum SQ610RF with a built-in humidity sensor and Warm Floor function it is a good proposition. Optimal control of the heating is achieved by regulating the temperature in each room. Then you always need as many thermostats as many rooms. A surface-heated downstairs requires a wiring centre and actuators (e.g. self-regulating actuator THB). To control three radiators in bedrooms, you need to buy three wireless thermostatic heads. And of course the "heart" of the system, without which there is no way to manage your home online - the Internet gateway UGE600.

Control of lighting and roller shutters

If you want to create functional OneTouch rules for lighting and roller shutters, to the cost of the system should be added accessories (selection of devices depending on the rules):

How do these products work? Smart Plug, as an extension of the electrical outlet, controls the devices plugged into it. Smart Relay allows to control a receiver with a load power up to 16A. Roller Shutter controls drives of window roller blinds and lighting (230V AC). Thanks to these small devices, you can adjust the moment of switching on or off the lights in selected rooms or make lamp operation dependent on other actions, e.g. entering a room, closing a window, starting a fan, etc. You can also use them to simulate the presence of household members when the house is empty. The final cost depends on how many roller shutters/devices in your house you want to control.

What OneTouch rules can you create?

In SALUS Smart Home application you will program dependencies - scenarios of devices' work. For example:

To implement these scenarios in our example home - in addition to the Internet gateway, application (free) and temperature thermostats - we need: a minimum of five Roller Shutters for automatic operation of roller shutters, an opening sensor for the bathroom, a button that activates the rule when leaving the house, smart plugs, the number of which depends on the number of lamps that are to turn off when leaving. So let's assume that you need two Smart Plugs and a Smart Relay.

You can think about all this in no hurry. After making a decision enter it into the fields of the configurator.

Fault detection

Sensors detecting home faults are part of the SALUS Smart Home series. It means that they require a gateway and an application to work. Depending on which, where and how many sensors we want to install, the following amounts must be multiplied:

How do these devices work? A smoke sensor detects smoke. A flood sensor detects water on surfaces or contacts. An opening sensor indicates which windows/doors have been opened and allows the heating to be turned off for ventilation. The devices in the system allow you to receive SMS messages about an event.

Summary

The offer is rich, but do you have to be rich to take advantage of it? SALUS Controls offers customers not only exclusive premium lines, but also good for start, standard variants of products. They work well and at the same time will be friendly for your wallet.

Use our configurator and check, which solutions best suit your needs. Data entered into the configurator will help you find out how many and which devices you will need to control your home. Also it will create a rough estimate of the entire project.

What is important, the amounts will be approximate - calculated based on net list prices. Remember that our distributors will certainly offer you a favorable discount.

In case of any doubts, our well-trained installers and SALUS Controls technical team will be happy to advise you.

For whom is electric floor heating?

Electric underfloor heating has so far been used mainly as an additional, supplementary thermal support, such as in the bathroom or hallway, if we wanted a pleasantly warm floor effect in these places. It was something of a heating gadget, to the pleasure of our feet. Concerned about the high price of electricity, we used them less often on a wider scale. Today, this trend is reversing. What is the reason for this?

Electric alternative to water heating

In terms of investment and installation, electric floor heating is one of the cheapest heating solutions. Water underfloor heating requires a lot more effort and money. In order for it to work, we need a complete plumbing system: a boiler to heat the water (or a heat pump with a buffer), a manifold to distribute the heat, and pipes to heat the floor. It's a demanding system, quite an undertaking and a big expense.

Electric flooring is not so complicated. It doesn't require plumbing, moisture insulation, screeding, or solid floor preparation. Installation is quick and really easy - especially if you use heating mats, in which heating cables are placed on a fiberglass mesh. Slightly more time-consuming is the laying of the heating cables, but even this is much less difficult than the installation of the water system. Heating mats can be used both in new construction and in the complete modernization of older buildings that have been in use for years.

Does electric floor heating pay for itself in terms of operation? What advantages does it have, what disadvantages? Where will it perform well? Today we will try to comprehensively answer these questions.

Why electric underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular

More than likely, this has to do with the increasing popularity of home photovoltaics, which allow us to minimize electricity charges - and sometimes even reduce them completely. If we are prosumers of electricity, our perspective changes 180 degrees. Electricity charges no longer scare us. Moreover, other heating energy becomes a burden on the budget - since we can use PV panels and free electricity. In such a situation, electric floor heating is the best choice: uncomplicated installation plus fabulously cheap operation. The convenience of use, functionality and cheapness of electric floor heating is then fully appreciated. It can be the main heating of the building.

Electric floor heating also has other advantages

Electric heating is environmentally friendly. It can use energy obtained from RES (solar, water, wind). Energy losses are minimal - in fact, 100 percent of it is converted into heat. This type of heating provides a high level of thermal comfort, and at the same time does not create by-products of burning, does not poison the environment, does not pollute the air we breathe. It is easy to control, thanks to modern building automation. Electric flooring is an automated, almost maintenance-free proposition. It will easily become an element of a smart home (control of heating via the Internet, smart scenarios).

What's more, the heating process is a long one with water-based flooring. The pipes are laid low, under the concrete screed, which must heat up before the heat reaches the floor - under our feet. This takes time. On the other hand, electric flooring is installed directly against the floor, which reduces the thermal inertia of underfloor heating and shortens the time it takes to heat the floor. In short: it gets warm faster.

What on the one hand is an advantage can become a disadvantage. Since electric flooring has less thermal inertia than water flooring, it takes less time to heat up, but also takes less time to give off heat, and accumulates heat more poorly. That is, it cools down faster. This is something to keep in mind.

Electric floor heating is safe. Throughout its lifetime it does not require pre-season maintenance (this period lasts on average from 20 years upwards, and it is said even 50 years of trouble-free operation). For proper installation we need an experienced professional - that's clear - but electric heating done in accordance with the art of construction is technologically safe from possible punctures and electric shock - and actually the user is protected from it. If done decently, we are safe. Moreover, the use of electric heating mats or cables is much safer than gas or coal heating. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or explosion disappears. It is also cleaner and healthier.

In that case, what do you need to watch out for?

Of course, on the cost of operation. There is no fooling, in this topic you can strongly "swim". However, this does not apply only to electric heating. If we want to control operating expenses, we need a good understanding, knowledge of energy tariffs, consumption plan and individual calculations. There is no universal recipe for cheap heating.

With the current prices of heating fuels, the situation is no longer as clear-cut as it was even two or three years ago. Back then, electricity as the main heating medium was highly questionable - compared to natural gas or traditional coal. Electricity prices were never competitive. But now everything is expensive.

Heating on electricity can be cost-effective, especially if you heat small rooms comfortably or only one or two rooms, and the rest of the interior economically. After all, the whole house/apartment doesn't have to "gush with heat." There is rarely such a need and few people like it.

Besides, the monthly cost of electric floor heating can be planned. In a smart home, electricity consumption is watched over by rules arranged with the economy of consumption in mind. Thus, we do not have to give up the convenience and comfort of this solution. Modern floor mats are energy efficient. They are no power eaters over which we have no control. If we control the heat intake wisely, we will successfully keep the fees in check.

Let us once again remind you of the option to invest in photovoltaic panels and use surplus production, which can reduce electricity costs to zero.

Besides, modern technologies and controllers equipped with operating algorithms that prioritize energy efficiency help us save money. Manual management of intake has never been and will never be efficient. And in the case of underfloor heating in general it seems on average possible. Automation is a condition for success. Therefore, with electric floor heating, it is worth relying on zone temperature control. Not just to make it convenient, but to make it cheaper.

Thermostats for electric floor heating

We already know (not only from today's article, by the way, because we repeat it at every opportunity) that heating control is needed, and not - as some mistakenly believe - optional. In the case of underfloor heating, whether water or electric, it is even necessary. Without it, it would be difficult to control the temperature throughout the building, let alone adjust it to the daily rhythm of the day. Thermostats really help to reduce charges. After all, the principle is logical: the heating system is most active during morning and evening busyness and in the rooms we use, while when the household members are absent, its activity decreases. Individual programming of active heating periods is a proven savings strategy.

Modern thermostats "learn" the building (e.g., the TPI algorithm), collect information about how quickly the room heats up, when to turn on and off to maintain the set temperature, with the lowest energy consumption. Such algorithms can optimize the system and bring heating savings of up to 30%.

inwestycją dla domu. Jednak zawsze warto rozpatrywać je wraz z wykorzystaniem automatyki budynkowej. W przeciwnym razie stracimy na efektywności. Sterowniki i podłogówka to duet najbardziej opłacalny.

What heating devices do we most often choose and why?

The situation in the heating market is still tense. This is related to the difficult geopolitical realities (war, inflation) and to the energy crisis. The scale of the crisis is changing, but fuel prices are high and their availability is unstable. People are saving on everything they can. This is not good for investments, renovations, or building modernization.

Despite the high cost of living, we need to heat our homes. The question remains with what. Today we'll look at recent trends and see what heating devices we most often choose.

The most popular heating devices - heat pumps

The beginning of 2022 saw a real increase in the purchase of heat pumps. It had already started in 2021, but the first three quarters of 2022 were record-breaking in this regard. In Poland then, sales of these heat sources increased by 120% compared to the previous year. It is estimated that every third device purchased for space heating was a heat pump.

This is because the heat pump beats traditional heating equipment in terms of convenience and operating costs. You don't have to regularly pay for fuel for it, because it refills the fuel itself - drawing from nature (RES). It is ecological and you can get subsidies for it - so it is widely available and affordable (subsidized).

Importantly - although you sometimes hear otherwise - high-quality heat pumps do not require additional heating equipment at all. They manage to heat the building by themselves. In addition, they are almost maintenance-free. They provide heat in the interiors and DHW without our participation.

Using this heat source, we do not participate in the emission of toxic greenhouse gases. We don't need chimneys, which we can take into account already at the stage of designing the house - we save money on this as well.

Investors often choose to combine heat pumps with photovoltaics, so the cost of the pump itself and the rest of the home electronics that run on electricity disappears - because it is produced by a PV-equipped household. In such a situation, we are not talking about savings for the piggy bank, but about really big money that stays in our pockets.

Heat pumps - however, there are some problems

Although sales of heat pumps are expected to keep growing, there are worrying signs that could slow down this process. To a more or lesser extent.

Conventional and condensing gas boilers

Conventional gas boilers are already a rare choice. Their share of total gas boiler sales is only about 5%. Meanwhile, condensing boilers - the first choice for gas heating until recently - have scored a marked drop in popularity by about 20, 30%, depending on the type (wall-mounted, floor-standing). This was influenced by the unstable situation in the gas market, triggered by the war in Ukraine.

In recent months, however, we have not experienced the shortage of gas supply that the market had feared. This raw material, although becoming more expensive, is available. Its price has increased, but there is no surprise here, as this phenomenon affects the entire energy resources sector. In addition to the widespread use of RES, higher heating charges are impossible to avoid at the moment.

Therefore, consumer interest in gas boilers should return. If someone is planning to eliminate old coal and wood stoves, but for various reasons will not be interested in RES, they will most likely turn to condensing gas boilers - as has been the case so far.

Solid fuel boilers

Many households are still using older or newer solid-fuel boilers (including wood pellets, eco-pea), but this is no longer the direction of the future, and certainly owners of new developments are not taking it (opting rather for RES). Undoubtedly, this is influenced by the severe price increases of solid fuels.

However, let's remember that modern solid fuel boilers are much more environmentally friendly. All boilers of this type must meet ecological requirements for emissions into the atmosphere. This also means easier operation and lower failure rate - greater comfort of use.

Electric and oil heating equipment

Electric boilers are increasingly popular because they are relatively easy to install and use, and with additional PV installation - extremely cost-effective, because their own power generation minimizes heating fuel costs to zero. They work great in passive buildings, but also in modern houses with energy-efficient technical parameters and exemplary thermal modernization. Such buildings do not have a gigantic demand for heat.

These are heating devices that do not emit pollutants. They are an interesting alternative to other central heating boilers. In 2023 it is not yet at the top of our choices, but this type of heating is beginning to be appreciated - also as an additional heat source or in hybrid installations.

Solar collectors

As in the case of heat pumps, this is a completely ecological and energy-saving solution - and therefore future-proof. The collectors make it possible to obtain the heat needed for DHW without polluting the environment, and also support central heating.

In our geographical conditions, it is risky to rely on the heat generated only by solar panels. Especially if we do not have the possibility to store it for a longer period of time. Thus, collectors are rarely chosen as the main heat source, heating the entire building. However, this is a proposition increasingly appreciated by consumers.

Heating devices in 2023

It is difficult to predict what will change in this topic over the next few months. It can be assumed that - for greater security and lower fees - heating will go the way of various installation hybrids. This will make it possible to choose the heating medium according to its current price. Certainly, the glory of RES will continue to grow. As a result of this, we can assume a further increase in sales of solar collectors, which support the main heating system at a low cost and provide energy for free DHW generation. Collectors successfully work with electric boilers, gas boilers, and, of course, with heat pumps. They are universal and quite cheap. As we mentioned at the beginning, people are looking for savings wherever they can. Finding them in the heating sector is a must if we think about real reductions in household operating costs.

What does a smart home offer?

How can our system help you?

You know why you control your heating. Regardless of the weather, you want to feel comfortable at home and at work - it can be neither too warm nor too cold. Automated control maintain the temperature you expect (set) in each room (zone). Custom schedules for each type of installation, created in the web application, take care of the best heating operation. It's energy efficient. However, what else does a smart home provide? How will a complex home control system improve your daily comfort? How will it help you save on electricity or water bills?

Learn new examples of OneTouch rules and dependencies between devices working in a common home network - controlled online. What operating scenarios will you create for: heating, lighting, better functionality and building security?

Are you sure you know what smart home gives in case of temperature control?

Home savings guardian

Do you leave for work at different times? Write down a rule that will switch all room thermostats to economy mode (i.e. lower heating fuel consumption) with the push of a button.

Install the button (OneTouch rule activator - CSB600) at the front door. Click it on your way out. With a quick movement you will save heating energy and money.

At any time - for example, an hour before you return home - you turn off the rule in the web application. What does a smart home give you in this situation? You save money without sacrifice.

Remember that by lowering the room temperature by as little as 1°C, you save about 6% on energy costs - on the scale of the entire heating season. It pays off.

Pleasant returns

Returning to a dark, cold house will spoil the best mood. Make your returns comfortable. All you need to do is create a rule that " brings the interior to life" when you deactivate the entry alarm.

Moments after it is turned off, selected lights will light up, taming the darkness, and the heating will go into comfort mode, giving you perfect warmth. You will use not only temperature thermostats for this, but also networked smart relays or smart plugs.

Ventilation assistant

Did you forget to stop the heating system for ventilation? Before you are reminded by high bills, set a rule that turns off the heating of the room when the window is opened. An opening sensor linked to the room thermostat will help you do this. You don't have to worry about paying for reheating the backyard.

Bathing assistant

Do you bathe a small child at the same time every day? Make sure the bathroom is ready - waiting with a warm floor and cozy lighting. Make a rule so that for a selected hour the temperature in it will rise, the floor will heat up, the led lights by the mirror will turn on. You will use thermostats for underfloor heating and smart plug for this.

Virtual housekeeper

Do you rent holiday homes in the winter? Take care of your guests' comfort, but also manage your energy consumption economically.

Create two related rules: for comfort temperature and economy temperature. Then activate one of them using your smartphone (web app) even hundreds of kilometers away from the rental property. You will also do this for radiator heating (smart TRV head), as well as for underfloor heating (wiring centres, actuators).

Before your guests arrive, you will remotely start the comfort mode. After they leave, you will remotely put the facility into heating fuel-saving mode.

Knowing what a smart home gives when it comes to heating control, let's see its advantages when it comes to lighting control.

Intelligent light control

A bright fortress

In the evening, lights around the house make you feel more secure and much safer. They make it easier to move around the garden. An illuminated home is a well-maintained home. That's why take advantage of smart relay and create a rule that turns on outdoor lighting at sunset and turns off after sunrise. You can also do this at selected times or depending on the operation of other devices, such as when the system opens the entrance gate.

Work assistant: work-life balance

Do you work remotely and want to maintain a balance between work duties and rest? SALUS Smart Home will easily take care of your home lighting to help you establish a balance. When your work time is up, the desk lamp will turn off (SR600). The blinds will close (RS600) and spot lights by the couch will light up (SR600).

Dark windows, bright interiors

Thanks to OneTouch's set rules, you don't have to remember about them every day. A good example of this is linking the operation of the blinds to the operation of the lighting, which will turn on automatically when the blinds go down. When the windows go dark (RS600), the room will brighten up (SPE600).

What does a smart home offer?

Do you happen to go to bed and wonder which rooms you left with the lights on? Each unnecessarily lit lamp increases your electricity charges.

With the SALUS Smart Home system, you will create a rule that will turn off the lights throughout the building (SR600 x number of lamps). You'll activate it by pressing just one button (CSB600). Place it next to your bed and sleep peacefully. You will also activate the rule in the web application.

Motionless switch

Do you forget to turn off the light when you leave the kitchen? Annoyed that you have no way to do it while leaving with plates in both hands? Create a rule to turn off the lights, for example, 5 minutes after the movement in the kitchen stops (SR600 + MS600).

Evening walk around the house

Evening housekeeping is an intense time as you clean up the house and prepare it for the next day. Walking from room to room after dark, you don't have to turn the lights on and off every time.

By creating appropriate rules, when you enter a room, the lamp will automatically turn on and off, for example, a few minutes after the movement stops (MS600 + SR600).

Home lighting will always keep up with you. It is a convenience and modern economy that gives you savings. You just need to remember to determine the time of activation of this rule.

Night light activator

Don't like darkness? When getting out of bed at night, do you want to cross the hallway safely? Program a rule that, detecting your presence after dark (MS600), will activate the lighting (SR600). If you have a pet at home, don't be afraid of accidental activations. The sensor does not detect the movement of pets up to 36 kg.

Bright after opening

If you don't want to be tripping over your bathroom furniture, write down a rule that activates the lighting when you open the toilet door - set the hours for it. The idea will also work when entering the workshop, basement, garage - in all rooms where you fear darkness.

Kitchen lighting

Assisting light in the kitchen is a convenience and time-saver. Especially if it follows your movements. Create a rule so that the led lights above the cutting board turn on when you start working on it and off when you're done preparing a meal (MS600+ SPE600).

Also, take advantage of the subtle light of the hood light to make any entrance to the kitchen safe and pleasant. The gentle glow from under the hood will brighten up the room.

Sleep assistant - baby

When you think about what a smart home or automation in general provides, you certainly don't see all the possibilities available to you. Facilitation are waiting at almost every step.

Does your child fall asleep with the light on? Do you have to wait until late every night to turn it off? Create a rule to turn off your child's light at a certain time, or assign this rule to a single button and place it next to your bed (SB600). You can turn off the light in your toddler's room at any time with a single press.

Sleep assistant - adults

Do you like to read late and your partner/partner falls asleep earlier without turning off the light on their side of the bed? Program rules to turn off your bedside lamps and assign them to the OneTouch dual rule activator - the top button will turn off your lamp and the bottom button will turn off your partner's/partner's lamp.

When you finish reading, turn off the bedroom light - without getting up and without disturbing the other person's sleep. To easily operate the lighting on both sides of the bed, install two rule activators - one on each nightstand (SB600 x 2).

Relaxation Zone Activator

Do you enjoy spending evenings with family or friends? Do you relax while watching TV? Smart home will take care of convenient operation of your private relaxation zone.

Create a rule to activate intimate room lighting and activate it with one button (light dimmer + SB600). In a few seconds, the blinds will drop (RS600) and the living room will be covered with a cozy mood.

Home presence simulator

To ensure that your home does not entice potential thieves with darkness while you are away for several days, create rules to turn on, reduce and turn off lights.

At designated times in the garden and in selected rooms of the house, the lamps will dim, brighten, turn on and off, posing the presence of householders.

Add to this a customized plan for closing and opening blinds. Everything will create the perfect semblance - as if you were there!

You run the rule remotely from the app. You can adjust all settings via your smartphone - wherever you are.

Christmas guardian

Activate a schedule that will turn on and off the lights on your Christmas tree at designated times. You can also do it remotely - using our web app and your smartphone.

Don't worry that Christmas decorations will ruin your New Year's budget. Write down a rule so that your home's surroundings will be charmingly lit only after sunset and until a selected time (e.g., 11 p.m.) - when you can admire them. You'll build a family atmosphere while saving energy and money if the light decorations are kept off all night.

Digital accountant

If you want to find out how much electricity your home's appliances are using, hook them up to a plug that records electricity consumption. Check the consumption on the clear graphs available in the web app. Use the collected data to optimize the operation of your home appliances. Now you know what to keep an eye on.

Everyday comfort: what does smart home and automation offer?

Lower the blinds without getting up from your seat

When you finally melt into your favorite armchair after a busy day, you don't want to get up from it without having to do it. With a smart home system, it will only take you a moment to prepare your living room for an evening of relaxation.

With the OneTouch rule activator (SB600) or your smartphone, with a single press you can close the blinds in the TV room (RS600) and create the atmosphere of a home movie theatre.

Waking up by the sun

If you like to get up with the sun, set the operation of the bedroom blinds so that they open at sunrise and close at sunset. To make waking up even more pleasant, create a rule that opens the blind first at 30%, after a few minutes at 50%, and finally at 100% (RS600). The gradual welcoming of the sun in the morning will help you start even the hardest day nicely.

Weekend in the mountains

A weekend in the mountains is one of the pleasures we like to give ourselves spontaneously. To make it more convenient, create a scenario that prepares the mountain house for your arrival even before you set off. Just prepare the rules that run the comfort temperature and prepare relaxing lighting. You'll turn them on even before your trip.

Turn up the aura of summer

Who doesn't love spending warm evenings with family or friends in the backyard by the illuminated pool? Find out what a smart home can offer. Create a scenario that transforms a dark backyard into an atmospheric setting in a split second - perfect for capturing the charm of summer.

When you press the button (SB600), the soft spot lights by the pool will come on, the façade lights (SR600) will light up, and the lawn will be illuminated. A second press of the button will reverse the rule, allowing you to end the evening quickly and comfortably.

Lower power and water consumption

When you want to save on electricity and water consumption in sanitary rooms, you can activate efficient OneTouch rules:

The fan in the bathroom will start only when you enter it.
Similarly, the circulation pump will only run for a few minutes - the time when you are most likely to use the hot water.
The light will turn on when you are in the bathroom and turn off when you leave.

Based on the SALUS smart Home system, you will use a motion sensor and smart relays for this. Remember that small daily savings will allow you to live ecologically and economically. You save without sacrificing comfort.

Healthy air

Overly humid rooms are not good to spend time in and cause the growth of harmful mold. Create a rule so that the temperature thermostat immediately detects too much humidity (Quantum) and the system automatically starts ventilation (SR600).

If the thermostat indicates too little moisture in the air, the system will automatically activate the humidifier.

It is worthwhile to ensure the best air quality in your home. This will reduce the risk of respiratory diseases in you and your children.

Entrance gate opener

Install the button in a handy location, such as in the garage. Set a rule that closes the gates after a certain time (SR600). You can also open the entrance gate from your smartphone app, having a rule set to close it after, 2 minutes for example.

Remote home opening

With the SALUS Smart Home system you will remotely let a trusted person come into your garage, even though no one is home! You'll do it with your smartphone using a web app and an on-site smart relay.

The courier no longer has to leave the package at your neighbor's house or, even worse, on a wet doormat. He can do it in your garage. A child who forgot his key doesn't have to wait at a friend's house for your return. You let them in through the garage door wherever you are - shopping or at a business meeting.

Home under the protection of technology

Instant notifications of an emergency

Smart home gives not only comfort, but also security. The cost of building a house or renovating an apartment is huge.

Set rules that will alert you to a fire (SD600) or water leak (WLS600). You'll receive an SMS immediately if there's an emergency in your home: smoke appears or your washing machine breaks down. This will help you react as quickly as possible and minimize the damage.

Safe heating system

If you have a house in the mountains or by the sea, control its heating system when it is standing empty. Similarly, if you own more than one apartment. After all, you can't be everywhere at once.

Setting an economic or antifreeze temperature is ideal to keep your heating from freezing. However, if there is damage to the heat source, no mode will do the job. The temperature will drop to low values. And this threatens the cost of repairing or replacing the entire installation.

Protect your building's heating system and set up a rule to send a notification of a dangerous temperature drop (SMS or e-mail). Breakdowns happen everywhere - to everyone. Don't be unpleasantly surprised.

Protection against flooding - a brake on the damage

Sometimes a simple malfunction causes an avalanche of expenses. How to prevent it?

OneTouch rules can work with the plumbing system in your smart home. When the system detects flooding in the monitored area (WLS600), it will cut off the water supply at the place where the fault occurred (SR600).

You will immediately receive a text message about the incident. You will avoid floor replacement and costly renovation.

Burglar alarm without a siren

SALUS Smart Home will enhance the security of your home in many ways. In creating security only sky is the limit.

The simplest way to protect your home or apartment from burglary is to install an opening sensor at the entrance (SW600) and set a rule that sends an SMS when someone opens the door in your absence. You will be able to call a neighbor or the police.

But if at the same moment, detecting motion (MS600), the lights in the rooms come on and the blinds open or close, the thief will feel caught in the act. There's a good chance he'll give up the theft.

Dangerous cabinets

Even in a secure, modern home, some unpredicted things happen. If you're worried that your child might open a medicine or detergent cabinet, mount an opening sensor (SW600) next to it and set a rule that sends an SMS notification when the door is opened. The same way you can secure important documents or personal records.

Turning off electrical appliances

Are you always in a hurry? Can't remember if you turned off the iron after ironing your clothes in the morning? Or maybe you remembered that you definitely didn't turn it off? Plug your device into our smart plug. In the office, in the car, in the cafe - anywhere you can check if the iron is not drawing power and turn it off with one click if necessary.

In the app, you can also set a rule to turn off the iron after 30 minutes from startup. You will save money and avoid the risk of fire.

Caregiver in sickness

People who are disabled or sick will feel safer being able to quickly call for help if they are unwell. In worse health, they don't always have the strength to call or write a message.

The rule activator will serve as an emergency safety button. All you have to do is assign a rule to it, sending a predetermined message to a loved one, such as "Come, I'm feeling bad" or "Call an ambulance".

Guardian of your construction site

SALUS Smart Home will easily take care of the safety of any construction site. You will receive SMS notification of unwanted events. What does the smart home give you if you arrange the right rules?

The app will also open the garage or warehouse door for the construction crew (remote home opening - SR600).

Guardian of an unoccupied development

SALUS Smart Home system allows you to remotely control heating and monitor a building where temporarily no one lives. From anywhere in the world you can control the temperature in such a building (e.g. VS10BRF thermostat + TRV head/ KL08RF wiring centre + T30NC actuator). If someone comes inside, you will receive a notification (SW600 sensor).

Quick scanning of the house

The comfort provided by automation is not only daily conveniences, but also peace of mind. A web application allows you to quickly scan a building equipped with SALUS Smart Home series products.

This function allows you to check each room and the devices in it. It is an priceless help when you want to make sure you leave your home safe before you get out - windows closed, lights and electrical equipment turned off.

Statuses in the SALUS Smart Home system

Now that we know what smart home brings to everyday life, let's take a look at another useful feature of the system - STATUSES.

What are statuses? They are nothing more than sets of rules for: heating, lighting and also other smart home elements. The statuses trigger scenarios that fit specific circumstances (winter, summer, trip, party, etc.).

Winter will play by your rules

Winter routine is different from summer routine - so create your own rules package for status: WINTER. Here are examples.

You're heating the house and want the rooms to be the perfect temperature: comfortable when you're in them and economical when you're not (schedules). It's getting dark early. As you drive onto the property in the afternoon, you need a well-lit facade and garage (after-dark rules). You want the light to keep up with you, turning on (e.g., from 4 p.m.) in the rooms you enter and turning off when you leave them.

Summer - impose your rules on the heat

Summer routine is hugely different from winter - create a rule package for status: SUMMER.

With summer temperatures, you don't heat the house, temperature thermostat go into a "sleep" state for several months. It's brighter outside for longer, and it gets darker later, so you need façade and interior lighting on at later hours. At other times you open and close the blinds. You use led lights by the garden pool, for which you can also set a daily work schedule.

Parties - only you set the rules of fun

Home parties are governed by their own rules. Your party rhythm is different from the daily rhythm, so you can create a separate working scenario for it, e.g. heating, lighting.

The temperature in the living room will be higher than usual at night, because, after all, you are not sleeping - you are partying. The light will remain atmospherically dimmed, but the blinds will be uncovered - unlike on regular evenings - to keep an eye on the backyard, guests' cars and to see the outdoor lighting. In the heat of the game, it's a good idea to know when a child sleeping in his room will wake up and go out into the hallway. You will receive a text message notification about it.

Leaving - a smart home knows how to take care of itself

Leaving for an extended period of time, you will prepare your home for your absence with one click on your smartphone - status for the situation: EXIT.

The temperature will go into economy mode. After dark, a rule will be activated to simulate the presence of household members (lights and blinds). You will receive a notification when someone opens a door in your house or a window in the garage.

Let's summarize

From today's text, it is clear what a smart home gives to anyone who decides to transform their home space into a space of intelligent, logical scenarios. We have shown many examples of the use of OneTouch rules, as well as dependencies and hardware connections. It's up to you to decide which ones will work best in your home. Remember, on the other hand, that for creating your home control system you need to have the UGE600 universal Internet gateway and the SALUS Smart Home application.

We are delighted to announce that our company has won special recognition in the opinion of our customers.

We were awarded the CONSUMER QUALITY LEADER 2022 Golden Emble in the category "Heating control systems".

Based on the survey report, we know that the SALUS Controls customers associate our brand with:

Winning the Golden Emblem in its category is the best possible award. It is an expression of the trust that people have to the brand. Thank you very much for this!

Such appreciation is an honour for us, great satisfaction and motivation for further action.

Temperature thermostats - even the most modern ones - are generally not difficult to use. Functionality and user-friendly menus are the first condition to make them useful. Accurate temperature control is the second, but today we will focus on the problems we may encounter in the implementation and subsequent use of these devices. Why the temperature thermostat doesn't work?

It sometimes happens that temperature thermostats stop working or, if we are at the installation stage, do not start working. To save time and nerves, it is worth looking at the reasons that may have disturbed their operation before starting the complaints procedure. Some problems require service repair, but with most we can deal ourselves.

Batteries

If the thermostat has been working properly for some time and suddenly stops, the first thing to do is to replace the batteries and check whether the problem still appears. This is because it can happen even though there is no indication that they need to be replaced, the power supply becomes weaker and the device starts playing tricks on the user.

In the case of SALUS Controls temperature thermostats, a set of batteries is enough for about two heating seasons. However, if you notice any errors earlier; unplanned start-ups of the heat source, inaccuracy of the schedule, start with the batteries.

REMEMBER: Before sending the thermostat for service, make sure it has working batteries. Partially discharged batteries can weaken the signal.

Incorrect connection

It is always a good idea to follow the recommendations given in the wiring diagrams. It is not just a matter of routing the cables correctly, but also of their choice. The use of unsuitable cables will make it impossible to use all the functions of the device.

For example, if we are connecting SALUS Controls thermostats from the Expert series, it is recommended to use 4 x 0.75 mm² or 4 x 1 mm² cable. We will then use all the functions of the thermostats. If we use a three-core cable, we will not have access to the night temperature reduction function (NSB; Night Set Back).

It is also worth remembering that the wiring insulation should be suitable for a 230 V system.

What is important, "twisted-pair" Internet cable, despite the required number of wires, is not a good choice for a 230 V system because of the cross-section of the wires and the class of insulation. However, if the installer installed such wires we can choose a 24 V system.

Temperature thermostat does not work due to lack of communication with the receiver

If the transmitter does not communicate with the receiver, make sure that the communication code of the transmitter and the receiver is set correctly. If the receiver controls the boiler not according to the transmitter's indication, you need to change the communication code to a different one than factory.

To avoid this mistake, it is worth getting newer controllers. For example, the bestselling thermostat for boilers and other heat sources by SALUS Controls - 091FLRFV2 - does not require manual setting of codes. It contains as many as 64,000 combinations, so that a situation in which our thermostat is "activated" by an unauthorized device is practically impossible.

And even if - by extreme bad luck - this will happen, all you have to do is re-pair the transmitter with the receiver (for your convenience, the outputs are factory paired).

The temperature thermostat does not work because the devices have lost communication with each other

This problem can appear with a system that works wirelessly in a home network. It happens that the temperature thermostat stopped heating the room properly because it lost communication with the wiring centre or with the TRV head. At that point, it is useful to re-pair devices and even reinstall your control automation. It has been known for a long time that a reset allows electronics to take a "new breath."

The thermostat turns on the boiler instead of turning it off, and vice versa

Most SALUS Controls thermostats are equipped with COM/NO (normally opened) contacts for connecting the boiler, which turns on the heating by shorting circuit contact. However, if the automation of our boiler turns on the heating by opening them, a thermostats with COM/NC (normally closed) contacts will be required.

In the 091FLV2 and 091FLRFV2 thermostats, you can change the relay type programmatically and everything will work as it should. So, in order to avoid complications, let's look for controllers that are as universal as possible.

Wrong thermostat placement

We often do not pay attention to where we mount the control device. We follow either interior design, decorations or... random choice. Meanwhile, the room thermostat should be installed in the right place - non-sunny, far from drafts, fans, radiators, fireplace, stove, or even a lamp. It is good to hang/set it at a height of about 150 cm.

This is important because a bad location can cause the temperature sensor built into the unit to false readings, causing the room to be underheated (most often). If the temperature on the thermostat is falsely high, the boiler will not turn on, and the room will be cooled. So when choosing a place for the controller, it is worth taking into account not only convenience. Avoid places that expose the thermostat to large thermal fluctuations. If we forget about this, we are very likely to consider that the temperature thermostat is not working properly.

In the case of wireless thermostats, undisturbed communication between the transmitter and the receiver is also extremely important. It is necessary to take into account not only the distance between the devices, but also possible architectural obstacles (such as walls) that may cause the signal not to reach the receiver.

Mistakes in setting the schedule or selecting the control algorithm

Although programming the schedule should not be complicated, mistakes can happen. If our temperature thermostat doesn't work properly - it doesn't send the heating demand, even though according to our expectations it should, the reason could be, for example, setting the night temperature reduction at the wrong time period.

The choice of the wrong control algorithm for our type of heating system, such as hysteresis for underfloor heating, can also be a problem. Hysteresis operation is based on slight overdrives, so it does not guarantee precision. Underfloor heating, on the other hand, has a long response time, high thermal inertia, so the heating effect may not be satisfying.

Before we consider that the controller starts at the wrong time or does not start at the indicated times or parameters, we will check the temperature ranges we have entered for each time of day and night.

We will also adapt the control algorithm to our type of installation. SALUS Controls mostly offer two control algorithms to choose from - hysteresis and TPI. By choosing hysteresis, you can specify its range. Deciding on the TPI algorithm, you can indicate what type of heating it is to be used for (floor, radiator or electric).

Devices designed specifically for underfloor heating also operate based on the PWM algorithm. This function allows the inertia of the underfloor heating, so it closes/opens the actuators appropriately earlier/ later, preventing the room from overheating or cooling down.

Temperature thermostat does not work properly by incorrect control

Finally, remember that we should always adjust the parameters of room thermostats to suit our lifestyle. To do this, you should carefully read the instruction manual, ask the installer or manufacturer of the control automation you purchased.

Why don't you choose a heating control system?

A heating control system is needed in every place where people live and work. Thanks to it, the heating system does not waste heat energy, and the right temperature improves well-being and supports our biological rhythm - improves concentration, quality of rest, sleep. We have written about this many times. However, still not everyone decides to install a control system. Today we try to answer the question of what stands in the way of this decision. Why do some of us not control the heating in our home? We present the 4 most common concerns and explain why they are wrong.

Concern 1: "What do I actually need it for?"

Modern heating controls - both radiator and underfloor heating - are wrongly associated with luxury. Something that comes in handy, but is not so useful as to be essential. So much for the efficient intake of heating fuel provided by a heating control system, this is no luxury. Here, it's really about something more than convenience and thermal comfort - which we are willing to sacrifice, especially now, in tough economic times.

They were created to consciously consume the heating medium throughout the winter season. Accurate control algorithms and well-thought-out schedules allow us to adjust the temperature to how we live and prevent energy waste. We use only as much energy as we need to.

But this only happens with devices that constantly control this process. Further conclusions follow: if our installation uses less heating fuel, we pay lower energy bills.

What about zone control?

Then there's ZONE CONTROL, which we sometimes don't consider at all, thinking it's unnecessary ("Why do we need a thermostat in every room?"). It seems to us that if we buy one thermostat and install it where we are most often, it is enough to control the heating. However, this is a dead end, because then we will have the optimal temperature only in this one room - in the other rooms it will be random. So what if, for example, the living room will be pleasantly warm (because the thermostat will make sure the comfortable temperature there), if the rooms of other household members will be cold? In the end, it will force us to raise the heating parameters, so there is no way to save money.

What's worse, in such a situation, the main room - the one with the thermostat and the one where it was supposed to be perfectly warm - will be overheated. Only thermostats working in each room separately will actually allow us to adjust the temperature to our expectations - no matter what kind of heating we have, what kind of heat source. The intake of the heating medium will be economical and ecological. And then we will pay lower bills. And this is what a heating control system is needed for.

Concern 2: "Too expensive."

Since the heating control system is associated with luxury, the concern of the unconvinced may be its price. Because, as we all know, you have to pay a lot for luxury. So the idea that the control system is expensive may hold us back from buying it. This thought discourages us from doing the calculations and checking "how expensive". Maybe not as expensive as we thought after all?

We treat the investment in advance as an expense and not as an investment in saving money. And that is exactly what it is - an investment in saving money and energy, as we wrote above. So if we look at this one-off cost as something that will pay off and pay off in lower heating energy consumption, the price will no longer be a scaring. It will be a contribution to a 'cheaper tomorrow'. After all, it is a well-known fact that you have to invest to gain.

In addition to all this, the product range is rich. Among SALUS Controls thermostats you can find models at really affordable prices. After all, ZONE CONTROL does not require the purchase of the most expensive thermostats at once.

Yes, they will work if you want the latest solutions with many features, such as an integrated humidity sensor or a comfortably warm floor option (with underfloor heating).

Such thermostats offer the possibility of expanding the smart home system and creating scenarios of device dependencies (tap to run), which is a great help in running a household. However, if you do not care about such advanced functions or controlling your heating via the Internet, there are cheaper products to choose from. Cheaper, but still proven and effective.

Concern 3: "Too much trouble, difficult to manage".

The very name "heating control system" sounds like something complicated, something you have to learn, something you have to know how to handle - so that it works as it should, and so that you don't break anything. This can be a discouraging factor, because technology sometimes scares us. Especially if you feel that once you have brought it under your roof, you are left alone with it. Not everyone feels like reading long instructions and then figuring out everything by trial and error anyway. And there is some validity in this concern - home automation requires a certain amount of knowledge. But, if you choose well, it's not a barrier.

Many brands - such as ours - take great care to ensure that the customer is not left alone with the technology after purchase. SALUS Controls offers continuous and free assistance in the installation and then in the operation of the devices. It can be used by installers as well as individual customers. At the same time, permanent assistance is one that lasts for the entire life of the heating control system.

Thanks to the experience and knowledge of our installers, even at the installation stage of the system, the customer has the chance to ask questions and clear up any doubts. The installers explain everything in detail. They support the customer not only during installation, but also during start-up and operation.

Finally, we try to ensure that the user manuals for our products are not big books, in which it is difficult to find the information needed. Our abbreviated manuals are specific information that the customer needs to know in order to operate the purchased equipment correctly. Everything is described and supported by clear diagrams. On our YouTube channel, we regularly post instructional videos in which we show, step by step, the process of pairing drivers and implementing the system. So there should be no fear of handling our equipment. The customer is never left alone with the technology we create.

Concern 4: "A heating control system is an idea that is only good for new houses".

It is also a myth that a heating control system is only for new buildings. This is not true.

Of course, the installation of 230 V appliances does indeed require the routing of cables, which often involves renovation work, forging of walls, etc. Therefore, it is much easier to plan it during the construction phase of a building or premises. The more extensive the system, the more thoughtful the installation work should be. However, this is not the rule.

If you decide on a heating control system made entirely or mostly of wireless products, annoying renovation work is out of the question. Of course, signal strength is important for the smooth operation of the system. Therefore, it is worth knowing that in the SALUS Smart Home system, each 230 V device strengthens the wireless signal, in a way becoming a repeater. This allows you to build a solid network of home devices.

So, a heating control system can be successfully installed in any building/apartment - including one that we have lived in for a long time.

Are we sure we know the possibilities?

There is another reason why we do not always control our heating system. This reason is the fact that we are not aware of how good a heating control system we can create for ourselves. And not necessarily in houses, but also in flats. People simply don't know that they can do this and how much they can gain by, for example, already owning a 2-3 room flat. And they can gain the same things as homeowners - comfort and savings.

You will need intelligent TRV thermostatic heads mounted at the radiators (radiator heating), room thermostats and - for example - opening sensors to place at the windows. With these devices, you will gain control over the consumption of heating fuel:

Examples of such rules for flats can be multiplied, depending on the needs. And your imagination.

In the modern building industry, surface heating replaces standard radiators. In the case of underfloor heating, the wires hidden in the floor distribute heat evenly over all heating zones in the building, working at low supply temperatures. This allows you to heat the house economically and ecologically. However, what types of surface heating do we have to choose at all? For sure, it's not just the underfloor heating.

Low-temperature surface heating – how it works?

Surface heating is a type of heating system in which the entire room is heated by invisible to the eye pipes with spiral or meandering arrangement. They are concealed in the floor, but can also be installed in the ceiling or wall. The heat source (heating factor) can be: water, air or electricity. Obviously, this type of heating has a much larger surface area than radiators and gives off heat to the entire heating surface. It works on the principle of radiation, in much lesser degree of convection. As a result, it heats evenly and slowly - it also loses heat slowly. To maintain a comfortable temperature (about 22-23°C) in the room (in the heating zone), surface heating needs a low supply temperature (up to 30°C), which is not only environmentally friendly, but also economical.

Why is it like that? It's pure physics. If we want to reduce the thermal parameter of the supply, we have to increase the heating surface. And this is what happens in surface heating.

What is most important, the low supply temperature of the surface heating works well with eco-friendly heat pumps, which are becoming increasingly popular among forward-thinking investors.

The advantages of surface heating have been discussed many times (e.g. here). To summarize them, you need to know that – in comparison with radiator heating – surface heating is more efficient and healthier. It is also more comfortable for householders, because with lower supply temperatures and gradual heat distribution, the house is never overheated. Warm air does not "hit in the face " as it happens in the case of radiators, that "throw out" the hot air that is floating to the ceiling. The result is that, the radiator distributes heat very unevenly – the further away we are from the radiator, the colder it is for us, and sitting by the radiator we can hardly bear the heat. Another issue is the air quality. Surface heating does not dry the air, and radiators do. Very much. Radiators also collect dust in the recesses on their surface. They cause movement of air; they carry pollutants, forcing us to inhale them.

If you are interested in surface heating, let's take a quick look at the possibilities.

Types of surface heating

Heating loops hidden in the floor

In the case of underfloor heating - the most popular version of surface heating - the manifold distributes the heating factor (e.g., water) through pipes or heating tubes, hidden in the floor. This is added comfort of stepping on a pleasantly warm floor, although in practice it comes down to the fact that - except the bathroom, where the floor is actually perceptibly warm - in other rooms it is not simply unpleasantly cold. The most outstanding is that what the floor is covered in. The best heat conductors are ceramic tiles, laminated panels, waterproof vinyl, resin flooring, wood (so materials with low thermal resistance). Underfloor heating is the most efficient and unquestionably the most popular version of surface heating - it brings thermal comfort at the lowest supply temperatures.

Heating elements hidden in the ceiling

With ceiling heating (installation behind e.g. a false ceiling), the heat radiates evenly from the ceiling to the structural components of the building and to the objects in the interior. We feel the heat at head level, not leg-height. In this case, we will not benefit from the comfort of a warm floor. For many builders, this is a disadvantage, but there are also advantages: there is no risk of covering the heating surface with a carpet or disturbing the installation when hanging cupboards or decorations (as with wall heating, for example, which we will discuss in a moment). On the other hand, we must take care of the insulation of the building. The supply temperature for ceiling heating is usually higher than for underfloor heating, because the heat does not fall to the ground. To ensure that the heating effect is satisfactory, supply temperature needs to be increased.

Heating loops hidden in the wall

Wall heating is the least common form of surface heating. Heating elements are permanently built-in in the walls and emit heat through them, warming the interior. As with underfloor and ceiling heating, the heat spreads gradually without overheating or raising dust. There are no additional layers here to reduce efficiency (e.g. panels, carpets). However, you should be aware that with this solution, the usable area of the room is reduced - it becomes smaller by the thickness of the installation built into the wall (this is especially noticeable with air heating). With this type of surface heating, it is also necessary to set a higher flow temperature than with underfloor heating (up to 45℃). However, it is still economical and low enough not to cause damage or burns in the event of possible contact.

Water, air or electric surface heating?

Where to install the heating elements is one thing, but the heating factor you ultimately decide on - water, air or electricity - is crucial. The running costs of the surface heating, and therefore of the entire house, will depend on this important choice.

The water heating system heat the building through plastic or metal pipes through which hot water flows. The installation is insulated and protected against leaks or moisture. This is important to prevent corrosion, rusting or rotting of the heating elements.

Air heating system is characterised by the fact that there are special channels in the ground or wall in which heated air circulates - it is set in motion by an internal fan.

Electric surface heating is based entirely on heat conducted through heating cables or foils. Its main advantage is the ease and 'cleanliness' of installation and convenient operation, while the obvious disadvantage is the price of the heating fuel. Electricity is expensive, especially with such increased use.

Or maybe capillary tube mats?

They are still a kind of market "innovation", which is why it is worth mentioning that they exist and represent an interesting variant, or rather alternative, to the installation of surface heating. These are the so-called capillary tube mats, i.e. light and thin chains of polypropylene tubes through which the heating factor (water) flows. They are installed with screws into the surface (floor, wall, ceiling) before plastering. The capillaries are flexible and can be formed, which means that they can be placed on architectural elements of different shapes and cross-sections - e.g. on a semi-circular wall, a suspended ceiling, in the attic (bevels). Capillary tube mats are not only lightweight, they also operate quietly (quieter than surface heating) and do not actually reduce the usable area of the room.

When choosing capillary mats, it is important to remember to install them in walls for which we have no long-term decorating or renovation plans. Accidentally drilling through the plastic tubes (e.g. when hanging a painting) can cause damage and expose us to unnecessary repair and renovation costs. Such a wall cannot be covered by a large piece of furniture - then the operation of the mats misses the point. However, these are limitations which equally apply to wall-mounted surface heating.

At the moment, the biggest disadvantage of capillary tube mats is the high installation price. When buying them, pay attention to the quality of the materials used and the solidity of the welds.

Surface heating - what is the purpose of temperature control?

Each room in a building has an individual need for heat. Rooms may lose it at different rates, but they also have different functions, so they should have different temperatures. This is why it is important to introduce zone control, which involves installing thermostats separately for each heating zone. Then each room will have its own set temperature. Of course, with air heating (radiators) this is also important and necessary, but underfloor heating in particular needs precise control. This is because of what we essentially consider to be the advantage of this installation - it is slow to heat up and slow to give off heat. With this operating mechanism, the heating schedule must be logically thought out, planned in advance and monitored by controllers.

Manually, we are unable to operate the surface heating comfortably and efficiently.