ᐅ Eliminating Air in a Dry-Construction Underfloor Heating System?

Created on: 13 May 2022 20:08
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gylox990
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gylox990
13 May 2022 20:08
Hello dear community,

I am currently researching underfloor heating systems and will probably choose a dry system due to the low installation height.
The problem with dry systems seems to be that their heating output is relatively poor compared to wet systems (I have seen several calculations showing the dry system provides about 40 W/m² (4 W/ft²), while the wet system is around 27 W/m² (2.5 W/ft²). That is almost 25 to 33 percent less... 🤨).

However, I have also read that this is mainly because of the air trapped between the heating pipes and the usual aluminum sheet. Wouldn’t it be possible to somehow "remove" this air? One option might be to apply thermal paste in between. Has anyone tried this before? Would you advise against it because of potential issues that might not be obvious at first? Otherwise, I am seriously considering trying it. The cost should pay off eventually if the heating performs a few percent better over several years.

Are there maybe other ways to get rid of this annoying air?
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Deliverer
13 May 2022 20:47
Unfortunately, I can't offer a solution for your specific problem. However, for similar reasons, I also considered drywall construction for a long time until I learned that there are also "wet" systems with a low build-up height. I then chose one of those and am very happy with it.
How much tolerance do you have?
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gylox990
13 May 2022 21:49
I have 6cm (2.4 inches). However, the base is quite uneven, so I understand that thin-layer (thin-bed) mortar probably won’t work in this case...
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Deliverer
13 May 2022 21:54
I had differences between 4.5 and 8 centimeters (2 and 3 inches), partially within the same room. I had to level it to a maximum difference of two centimeters (0.8 inches) before the screed was applied, but it worked.

Since I’m not allowed to mention websites, names, or similar here, you can send me a private message with your email address if you are interested in the manufacturer.

For me, the biggest advantage of a "proper" underfloor heating system is the higher thermal capacity. I can easily turn off the heating at night for two months a year and still heat the screed thoroughly during the day using solar power from the photovoltaic system. While this is not as efficient as continuous heating, it costs almost nothing. There are no noticeable temperature differences in the house either.
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gylox990
14 May 2022 13:58
Thank you, that is definitely a crucial tip regarding heat storage. I also have a photovoltaic system 🙂