The rising popularity of split heating systems, which combine underfloor heating with traditional radiators, has fuelled a growing demand for smarter, more efficient heating controls. Stuart Kerr, Key Account Manager at Danfoss, looks at how advanced controls and proper system balancing are essential for optimising energy efficiency and maintaining consistent home comfort in these hybrid heating systems.
In the UK, the most common configuration for a hybrid system is hydronic underfloor heating (UFH) on the ground floor and radiators upstairs. This approach is popular for several reasons. UFH is particularly effective in large, open-plan areas like kitchens, living rooms, and dining spaces, which are typically found on the ground floor of modern homes. These spaces benefit from the even, radiant warmth that UFH provides. However, installing wet UFH on upper floors can be more complex and costly due to structural challenges, making radiators a more practical choice for heating smaller, enclosed rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms.
Flow Rate and Temperature Control
One of the key challenges in managing hybrid heating systems is ensuring that both UFH and radiators operate efficiently and comfortably. UFH typically functions at lower temperatures and requires different flow rates compared to radiators. Proper system balancing is critical to make sure that each heating method receives the appropriate flow and temperature.
Advanced controllers like Danfoss’ Icon 2 are designed to address this challenge by automatically balancing the UFH system based on the actual room demand. This eliminates the need to manually preset the manifold zone by zone, simplifying the setup process and enhancing performance. Icon 2’s automatic balancing feature ensures heat is evenly distributed across all rooms, delivering the precise amount of warmth required in each space. The system achieves this by intuitive learning and algorithms, penalising shorter pipes in smaller rooms while prioritising longer pipes in larger rooms when there is a high demand for heat. This dynamic management ensures maximum comfort and energy efficiency for the customer and less time on-site for the installer.
For radiators, products like the Danfoss RAS-B2 dynamic valve are specifically designed to enable fast and straightforward hydronic dynamic balancing. Featuring a differential pressure controller, the RAS-B2 TRV ensures that pressure drops over the valve remain at a constant level, so flow through the valve is maintained at both full (winter) and partial (autumn/spring) loads. Pre-setting of the desired flow is done on the valve, rather than on the lockshield, which could save installers up to two hours of valuable working time. This allows for precise control over individual radiators, ensuring that each room receives the correct amount of heat without unnecessary energy waste.
Controlling the Hybrid Heating System
Interconnectivity is the key to a truly smart home, where devices seamlessly work together in an intelligent ecosystem, creating an energy-efficient and comfortable environment. Smart heating solutions like the Danfoss Ally™ have been developed to effectively manage the various control elements of these modern hybrid heating systems. Danfoss Ally™ serves as a WiFi gateway that connects and controls various components. Danfoss’ Icon2 and RAS-B2 (with the addition of an easy to install Ally sensor) can be quickly integrated with Danfoss Ally™ to deliver a true smart heating systems that offers energy savings of up to 30%.
At the heart of the system lies the Danfoss Ally™ Gateway, a programmable wireless control unit that orchestrates the daily heating schedule for every room. This intelligent gateway ensures precise temperature control and allows for quick adjustments to meet changing needs.
The Danfoss Ally™ smart heating solution is Zigbee 3.0 certified. This means that it speaks the same wireless language as tons of other smart home devices around the globe. Enabling the homeowner to connect Danfoss Ally™ to an existing smart home setup to make a smart home even smarter.
The flexibility and energy efficiency of hybrid heating systems ensure they are far more than just a passing fad. As these systems gain popularity, advanced controls and smart management solutions play an increasingly crucial role. By seamlessly integrating and balancing different heating methods, hybrid systems offer superior comfort and energy efficiency, perfectly aligning with the demands of modern living.
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