FAQ

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:

• 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.