introductory price
-10%
Retrofit Ceiling Heating in Old Buildings
The benefits of ceiling heating for retrofitting
Ceiling heating implements the principle of radiant heat most consistently. The temperature is distributed extremely evenly across the entire height of the room. The absorption of radiant heat from above by the floor also ensures a pleasantly higher temperature in the foot area. The low flow temperature, which is usually between 25°C and 35°C, helps to save on heating costs. These characteristics have made ceiling heating the most popular solution for temperature control in office spaces in new buildings.
Radiant heating also offers considerable potential for retrofitting in old buildings. Why? Old buildings usually have very high ceilings of 3 m or more. This provides enough space to retrofit ceiling heating without major alterations to the old building structure. The system can be installed in drywall construction with a minimum distance of 5 cm from the ceiling. The plaster version has an even lower installation height. The original floorboards or parquet flooring can be retained. Installation does not require any major preparatory work. The ceiling is usually unobstructed and ensures unhindered heat radiation. Lamps can be easily installed by planning for standard elements without heating pipes.
The ceiling heating system can be retrofitted room by room and operated with any standard heating system via an RTL control box. The return temperature control prevents the heating water temperature from exceeding the permissible flow temperature for radiant heating. If further rooms are converted at a later date and the heat source is replaced with low flow temperatures, the ceiling radiant heating surfaces can be retrofitted with a heating circuit manifold.
An additional benefit of ceiling heating: the function as a cooling ceiling
With a suitable chilled water supply, the retrofitted ceiling heating can also be operated as a ceiling cooling system. In this way, a single system provides an air-conditioned ceiling that ensures a comfortable indoor climate all year round. Because the cooling works quietly and without the draughts of an air conditioning system, the combined heating and cooling ceiling is often installed in hospitals.
For small cooling surfaces, control is based on the flow temperature. The Multibox thermostat is set to the highest value. A chilled water temperature of 18-20°C is sufficient for most applications. Retrofitting ceiling heating in old buildings offers the possibility of maintaining a comfortable room temperature even in summer.
Where does the cooling water for the ceiling cooling system come from?
Thermographic images of heating and cooling operations
Easy installation of ceiling heating in drywall construction
Not experienced with drywall ceilings? No problem. Our easy-to-follow video shows you how to install a drywall ceiling heating system in just 3 minutes. Each kit comes with detailed installation instructions.
Plaster, drywall or copper pipe heating ceiling?
Plastering method
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Clay, lime or gypsum plasters can be used. This allows the specific properties of the plaster to be exploited. High heat output. Low construction height.
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Plastering brings moisture into the room. The final work on the ceiling surface is delayed.
Dry construction
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Ceiling surface can be quickly produced and further processed. Prefabricated construction elements. Standard dimensions.
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Minimum distance from ceiling required for plug-in connections. Slightly lower heat output than plaster version.
Copper pipe
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More heating power, fewer heating elements may be required for the room size. Quick installation of the prefabricated heating elements thanks to standard dimensions.
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Higher initial cost. Available for drywall construction only.
Ceiling heating kits
introductory price
-10%
introductory price
-10%
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The dew point is the temperature at which the air is 100 per cent saturated with water vapour. It depends on the room temperature and the relative humidity. If the air in the room is cooled to the dew point by the ceiling cooling system, condensation forms. This formation of condensation on the cooling ceiling must be reliably prevented.
How can condensation be prevented?
There are various ways to keep condensation at bay:
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Air Conditioning or Dehumidification of Indoor Air
Targeted dehumidification can lower the dew point, thereby extending the permissible cooling operation. However, such a solution is relatively complex and is rarely used in single-family homes. -
Dew Point Monitoring via the Heat Pump Control System
Some heat pumps or their control systems already feature integrated dew point monitoring. In this case, the permissible flow temperature is limited based on room temperature and humidity. -
Use of a Dew Point Monitor
A dew point monitor can be installed at a location where condensation is most likely to form first during cooling operation, such as at an uninsulated or critical point in the piping or distribution system. If the sensor detects the onset of condensation, cooling operation is interrupted or the cooling water supply is limited accordingly. -
Separate Dew Point Calculation via the Higher-Level Control System
Alternatively, dew point monitoring can be integrated into the building or heating control system. To do this, the room air temperature and relative humidity are measured, and the current dew point is calculated from these values. The control system then ensures that the flow temperature remains above the dew point by a sufficient safety margin.
Regardless of the solution chosen, reliable dew point monitoring is very important for the safe operation of surface cooling. Simply setting a fixed limit on the flow temperature is less reliable, since the dew point can change continuously depending on the temperature and humidity in the room.
It should also be noted that all cold-water pipes and components between the heat pump and the surface cooling circuits must be insulated to prevent moisture diffusion. Otherwise, condensation can form there as well.
We are a manufacturer of components for ceiling heating systems. We cannot provide planning or installation services. In individual cases, however, we can put you in touch with an HVAC installation company. If you send us the key details of your modernisation project, we can match the location with our database of installers.
You are a HVAC company and would like to install FLEXIRO sets? Please get in touch with us.
The weight of the ceiling heating with plastic pipe is 9.05 kg/m² when filled with water. The copper pipe variant weighs 12.58 kg/m².
This is possible in principle. However, it should be noted that wood deforms when exposed to moisture. Plaster, on the other hand, is a rigid system. Plaster manufacturers therefore recommend the use of carrier boards. Plaster manufacturers will provide detailed instructions for the specific application.
If there is an unheated room above the planned ceiling heating and the old ceiling has no thermal insulation or the heat transfer coefficient of the ceiling is unknown, we recommend installing an additional layer of insulation. In any case, thermal insulation above the ceiling heating will improve the response time of the heating.