Hi All, First time posting on here, so hope this is clear.
As part of our extension we have had underfloor heating installed in the new part of our property. Our builder has installed an Uponor system in a screed floor. The total area of the kitchen and utility room (the areas served by the underfloor heating) is 18 square metres.
It is in a single zone as we don't need to be able to operate the kitchen and utility areas independently of each other.
However...it is our understanding that, no matter which Uponor small area pack is used, a manifold and various control packs should be installed. Initially we were told that these had been on site, delivered as part of the package, but that the workmen had lost the manifold and controls (probably chucked in the skip by accident) and that a new manifold etc would be sourced and installed. Eventually, after a considerable time delay and prompting, the builder sent his plumber to complete the system and then told us that a manifold had been fitted (and demanded the outstanding 25% of the ufh cost). However, we could not see that a manifold had been installed and asked him to clarify, to which he replied that he couldn't comment as he wasn't an underfloor heating designer, and neither could his plumber comment because he wasn't an underfloor heating designer either!
Smelling something fishy, we continued to ask for clarification and even sought technical advice from Uponor (not hugely helpful - they just referred us to their technical specification brochure which shows that a manifold and various control packs are supplied with the system).
At a subsequent meeting, and when pressed on the matter again, the builder explained that a manifold had never been delivered with the system as one wasn't needed. (Why then did he say that a manifold had been installed as, at that point, if it is true that a manifold is not needed then he would have known that).
Also, the wall mounted control for the underfloor heating is a Danfoss one, not an Uponor one (again contrary to what their technical specification says should be used). The builder has told us that Uponor and Danfoss are part of the same company and that Danfoss make all the controls. However we can find no evidence of this.
I would be really grateful if someone who has a little knowledge in this area could explain, in layman's terms (!):
- whether this set up is normal and as per the manufacturer's specification (i.e. no manifold)
- what the implications are of there being no manifold or control, apart from a wall mounted dial (not a thermostat) which just allows us to control whether the underfloor heating is on 1,2,3 or 4! (Reading a little on this site makes me think that the manifold enables water already in the system to be recycled in order to provide good efficiency and energy savings).
Sorry to be so long - thought it best for you to have details. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
As part of our extension we have had underfloor heating installed in the new part of our property. Our builder has installed an Uponor system in a screed floor. The total area of the kitchen and utility room (the areas served by the underfloor heating) is 18 square metres.
It is in a single zone as we don't need to be able to operate the kitchen and utility areas independently of each other.
However...it is our understanding that, no matter which Uponor small area pack is used, a manifold and various control packs should be installed. Initially we were told that these had been on site, delivered as part of the package, but that the workmen had lost the manifold and controls (probably chucked in the skip by accident) and that a new manifold etc would be sourced and installed. Eventually, after a considerable time delay and prompting, the builder sent his plumber to complete the system and then told us that a manifold had been fitted (and demanded the outstanding 25% of the ufh cost). However, we could not see that a manifold had been installed and asked him to clarify, to which he replied that he couldn't comment as he wasn't an underfloor heating designer, and neither could his plumber comment because he wasn't an underfloor heating designer either!
Smelling something fishy, we continued to ask for clarification and even sought technical advice from Uponor (not hugely helpful - they just referred us to their technical specification brochure which shows that a manifold and various control packs are supplied with the system).
At a subsequent meeting, and when pressed on the matter again, the builder explained that a manifold had never been delivered with the system as one wasn't needed. (Why then did he say that a manifold had been installed as, at that point, if it is true that a manifold is not needed then he would have known that).
Also, the wall mounted control for the underfloor heating is a Danfoss one, not an Uponor one (again contrary to what their technical specification says should be used). The builder has told us that Uponor and Danfoss are part of the same company and that Danfoss make all the controls. However we can find no evidence of this.
I would be really grateful if someone who has a little knowledge in this area could explain, in layman's terms (!):
- whether this set up is normal and as per the manufacturer's specification (i.e. no manifold)
- what the implications are of there being no manifold or control, apart from a wall mounted dial (not a thermostat) which just allows us to control whether the underfloor heating is on 1,2,3 or 4! (Reading a little on this site makes me think that the manifold enables water already in the system to be recycled in order to provide good efficiency and energy savings).
Sorry to be so long - thought it best for you to have details. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
