Electric underfloor heating in school........110m2!!

[Welchyboy1]

A school i work for on and off, are building a new classroom area and want it to be heated by electric underfloor heating, they want me to provide a cost, they are certain its what they want and cant have any radiators or wall heaters on the wall, and wont be able to supply a wet UFH system

i really cant see a happy end to it, have explained the running cost, current draw and im not sure how effective it would even be as a primary heat source?

is there even systems out there that can handle such a large area?

Has anybody done something similar in the past or do i have to put my foot Down and say im not getting involved?

thanks

 

[NDG Elecs]

I do not know of any electric types that would suffice as a primary heat source. It takes the chill off, but in the middle of winter the kids and teacher will be feeling it.

The running costs will be daft!

Wet UFH is much better.

Surely a rad or two of any type could be included. It is a school afterall, not a minimalist design statement.

I would put in writing that in all likelihood Electric UFH would not in itself be sufficient, least that way you can't be blamed for poor advice. Then just fit it. Schools love to fritter away public money willy nilly so it might as well go into your pocket mate!

 

[Adam W]

How come they 'can't' have a wet system?
Could they have a heat pump of some description? Maybe air source?
Would a blown air system be possible?

 

[atm84]

Air source hearing would be much more efficient, either wall mounted or if there is a ceiling grid then they could have cassette units. If its a new building then they will have to comply with part L of the building regulations.. What heating source was specified when they did the thermal model?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I make that approximately 22kw...(quick calc)....ouch.
Not so long ago I installed nearly 10kw in a high spec kitchen for a customer,(his choice)....he has since spent all his time insisting his outrageous leccy bills are the fault of the AGA (which his wife wanted) and nothing to do with the floor heating running 12 hours a day.
The system was split over 3 circuits through a contactor with a single stat.

 

[wozz]

as you say i cant see this ending well if they do go for it. what did they think of the running costs?

whats the room being used for?

 

[DPG]

as you say i cant see this ending well if they do go for it. what did they think of the running costs?

whats the room being used for?

It's a classroom - take a guess. Meant in good humour by the way. Daz

 

[halls1379]

I used to sell this stuff before training to be a sparks, you won't be able to use it as a primary heat source unless it's a tiny room and I do mean tiny 2m2 floor type size

 

[Octopus]

Who in their right mind would spec such a stupid solution?

 

[wozz]

It's a classroom - take a guess. Meant in good humour by the way. Daz

Teaching yes I thought that too. :smile5:, I was thinking is it computer suites which will require a great deal of cooling too.

 

[Welchyboy1]

Thanks for all the advice, i need to get them to bin it

i have have had enough troubles with small bathrooms where the element has failed after a few months, so i really dont want to be carrying this baby

also yes this is a new build area and would be under building regs and part L too, thats just the get out i need

 

[Welchyboy1]

Who in their right mind would spec such a stupid solution?

You wouldnt believe the things they come up with at this place!