| Floorheating FAQ's |
Updated 26th June 2009 1. What are Coldbuster’s main advantages?
Other advantages - Even distribution of heat across the room. - Economical to run, costing far less than conventional in-slab heating. - Environmentally friendly, no smoke, no dust, no electromagnetic radiation. - Element does not require screed beds. - Individual room control - programmable thermostat with 7day or 5day/2 day weekend programmes. Supplied with both an air and a floor sensor. - Unobtrusive
2. How hard is it to install?
3. Why is Coldbuster more environmentally friendly than other floor heating?
While all forms of electric heating result in the release of greenhouse gas, the question is, how can you best minimise this? Conventional underfloor heating are in slab or in screed types. Having the elements in the cement means a higher thermal mass surrounding it. This requires the elements to output more energy per square meter. The floor takes longer to warm up, and similarly takes longer to cool down.
By using a floor heating system that has a lower wattage output, it can be zoned to heat only the areas you are using, react fast enough to heat only in the times you need heating. You will reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and running costs. With regard to solar power, it is our experience that the clients achieve the best environmental and economical gains by simply having their solar panels produce energy and supply the electrical grid during the day. Heating is mostly needed in the absence of sunlight, and while your floor will store some heat from energy produced during the day, the system will need to be boosted at night anyway. With regard to gas fired hydronic (hot water) underfloor heating. This style of underfloor heating is best suited to larger houses where the concrete slab is still to be cast - in many cases the boiler itself can cost nearly as much an the entire electrical floor heating system. Most hydronic boilers cannot double up as domestic hot water systems for the house.
4. What are the running costs? Because Coldbuster floor heating systems are designed to heat in specific zones and periods in the day, with proper insulation one could expect the following running costs: Power used in average living room of 12m² @ 80W/m² = 960W (Say 1kW) Using an example of electricity rates of 12c per Kilowatt hour (kWh) Coldbuster element uses the full 1kW for the first hour it is run, so for 12c per kWh = 12c for first hour Coldbuster element uses close to 33% of 1kW on duty cycle each following hour = 4c each following hour (to maintain the temperature preset on the thermostat) Morning 5:30 – 7:30 (2 hours) = 12c + 4c = 16c per morning Evening 18:00 – 22:00 (4 hours) = 12c + 4c x 3h = 24c per evening The electrical energy is converted to heat with 99.5% efficiency. See how our running costs compare to other forms of electric heating and with capital costs of gas/electric heating.
5. What happens if there is a fault? Because our cable is the thinnnest on the market, it inherantly lies closesr to the floor finish. Being closer to the floor finish it is easier to service. We can even find hidden breaks. By putting a larger than normal amount of current through the damaged floor heating element, the electricity causes an arc across the point of damage. This arc creates a hotspot on the floor surface and makes a ticking sound. By listening and using thermal imaging we are able to locate damage in 99.9% of cases . Lifting only the minimum of tiles, in most cases only one, the repair can then be carried out seamlessly.
5. Is there a benefit in using off peak electricity? The idea of using off peak electricity during the day or night as a cost effective method of powering your floor heating is not suited for Coldbuster floor heating application. Using off peak electricity is suited to an ‘in slab’ storage system. This is effective in Europe where proper insulation will help to contain the heat radiating from the slab, powered overnight by off peak rates. In Australia the level of insulation is not as high as in Europe (larger windows etc) and winters can be variable (some warm days in between). Coldbuster on-demand heating is better suited to Southern hemisphere temperatures, which change constantly through winter. Coldbuster floor heating elements are designed and manufactured in South Africa (a similar climate to Australia). On demand floor heating has a nimble advantage over a more inert storage system. In short, off peak rates are advantageous for an in slab storage system of a European style home in a constantly cold winter.
6. How hot does it get? Coldbuster floor heating uses design parameters suitable for Hobart in Tasmania, being 60W/m² (bedrooms) and 80-90W/m² (living areas). Assuming good wall and ceiling insulation, this system is used as primary heating.
7. Can I get a price per square meter?
8. How can I minimise the cost of my floor heating?
9. Would I benefit from buying under floor insulation for the heater? Running costs will be reduced through the use of insulation – the question is a cost benefit analysis for your situation. The benefit will apply to suspended timber floors. 90% of Coldbuster floor heating elements are installed on concrete slabs or tile screed. With the heating above these cementitious layers, it acts as nominal insulation below the heaters. Insulation is identified and labelled according to its R-value. "R" is resistance to heat flow, the bigger the difference the faster the transfer. While heat will move in both directions, the R-value of 20mm of screed or 100mm concrete slab is higher than a 7mm thick tile. The heat will conduct through the tiles and radiate into the air above to warm the room. Significant energy savings and increased efficiency is achieved through extruded polystyrene insulation where the sub floor is a suspended timber type floor which is exposed to the elements and drafts below it, or a shallow water table below concrete. With a suspended timber floor, there is little choice but to install the insulation between the joists. The insulation must be cut to fit tightly between the joists to prevent heat losses. Alternatively, installing reflective insulation across the joists will assist in reflecting back the previously wasted heat into the structure, which can help to reduce the heating costs. The easiest way to increase the efficiency of the Coldbuster floor heating is through minimisation of heat losses (through the windows, doors, ceiling and walls). These losses can be reduced by having insulation in the ceiling and walls; keeping doors, windows and curtains closed. Also seal off draughts and block up any unused chimneys, or close any A/C grilles.
10. Why is the Coldbuster element so thin and others thicker?
11. Should the heating extend all the way to the walls?
12. Do you export to the world? The Coldbuster floor heating products are also available in South Africa and under the Speedheat brand in the UK, USA and Europe. (As Quickheat in Holland). Please contact those distributors directly should you require any of these products. Coldbuster Australia supplies the Australia/NZ/Asia/Pacific region.
13. Is the product waterproof?
The Coldbuster element is waterproof and is impervious to spills etc. As such carpets can be steam cleaned.
14. Which surfaces are not suitable for Coldbuster floor heating?
15. How do you cater for fixed or non-fixed fittings?
16. How do you allow for showers, baths, toilets and vanities?
17. Can Coldbuster go on top of timber or waterproofing in bathrooms?
If you would like other information or further explanation on the points listed above please contact us on freecall 1300 653 914
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