System review

Basic idea of the aquatherm-climasystem is the comfort of an occupied area: thermally well-balanced zones are created.

Hence, the principle of the aquatherm-climasystem technology is not

warming and circulating the air, but heat radiation of the tempered

surfaces to deliver directly to the space to the benefit of the occupant. Convenient warmth is provided, as the heating surfaces are relatively large and therefore heating surface temperature can be kept low.

This is one advantage compared to small, hot surfaces, such as radiators.

The systems, due to the low flow temperature (25-35°C), are well suited in conjunction with other temperature heating. Various heating source

thereby arise, including the possibilities of the use of fuel efficient tech-nology and alternative energy, like solar, geothermal and recovered heat.

Besides, the thermal advantages is the added benefit of reduced air

movement. The result is reduced dust movement and a stabilized air

humidity.

In summary wall heating saves 25-30% of energy costs and contributes to a healthy environment. Of course the aquatherm-climasystem for wall and ceiling can be combined with each other.

The wall heating can be installed on mortar walls, pre-fabricated and concrete walls. The floor (subsurface) must be dry and a level for taking the plaster or the dry construction elements.

The tolerance of the heights and inclination of the carrying subsurface must correspond to the German DIN 18202.

The insulation at the outer wall of modern houses is made by customers.

Comfort

Moderate temperatures (20-35° C) with large heating surfaces generates a steady radiation for the user.

Direct heat radiation on the human body delivers a comfortable warm feeling. The room air temperature can be reduced in opposite to conventional heating technologies (radiators/convectors) (17-18°C) and still provide thermal comfort for the occupant.

The surface temperatures are dependent on the heat efficiency of the wall heating. This also depends on the heat loss of the room/building and on the surface, which is available for the installation of the wall heating.

In addition, the pipe spacing, the surface finishes and the design of the wall heating provide variable differences to the surface temperature.

That means, the temperature above the heating pipes is higher than in the intervals. Even surface temperatures are obtained by the close pipe spacing (40 mm/25 m pipe per m2) of the aquatherm-climasystem.

The average surface temperature of a wall heating should be regulated

for physiological reasons. In rooms with low dwelling time (e.g. baths, swimming pools, therapeutic areas) the surface temperature is limited to

35° C and in rooms with long dwelling time (e.g. living rooms, day rooms, offices) is limited to 30°C.

Surface considerations

In planning stage of wall heating design the future use should be taken into consideration. When arranging the grids personal and spatial needs can be considered. One must take into account, where the large pieces of furniture are to be placed, while smaller furniture (e.g. desk, seat set and pictures) can be disregarded.

Thus the outside wall often remains as a possible choice.

Conduits and cables

Conduits and cables which are placed on the weight-bearing subsurface, must be well fixed. They are installed on view or behind the aquatherm-

climasystem.

Expansion joint

To accommodate for thermal length expansion of the wall construction, suitable expansion capabilities of the adjoining components must be allowed for.

This can be achieved by a flexible joint.

Plaster and thermal distribution layer

All customary lime-cement plasters, gypsum plasters and even wet plasters have proved to be effective.

Due to its very good space-climatic qualities, gypsum and lime-gypsum plasters for wall heating are specially well suited. But never apply them in humid rooms, as the maximum operating temperature of gypsum plaster should not exceed 50°C.

Lime-cement plasters are suitable for higher operating temperatures to approximately 60° C. These plasters are well suitable for baths and wet rooms with high air humidity.

Today clay plasters are used increasingly, because it is an optimal building material for the biological building considerations. In addition, clay plasters,

due to their high thermal conductivity, are very suitable for wall heating.

The maximum operating temperature is also 60° C, as with the lime-cement plasters.

Plaster reinforcing must be used in general, to prevent possible surface faults.

Surface finishes

They can be made – according to customer´s wish – from ceramic tiles, plasterboards or gypsum plaster.

But the thermal resistance value R (m2K/W) should keep as low as possible and a value from R = 0,15 m2K/W should not be exceeded.

In this case additional heaters (e.g. in front of the window) may be inevitably.

Surface finishes with high thermal resistance require clearly higher operating temperatures and cause increased heat loss outward through the outside walls.

Vapour barrier

Moisture control by vapour barriers for humidity (due to inadequate ventilation, showering, cooking), which prevents the penetration of humidity into the wall structural and thus reduces damages to the building structure.

The U-value of the wall is fully preserved.