A system that uses a remote Heat source(s) & distributes its energy to various points of load.
Typically consisting of a Boiler (various Fuel types), Solid Fuel Burner or Heatpump 'creating' Thermal Energy.
What is Central Heating & How does it work?
Thermal energy is the distributed by a medium ~ typically water or air (possibly refrigerant)
- Water carries 400x more thermal energy than Air
- Refrigerant can be used in Multi-split & 3 pipe VRF systems - typically larger commercial Air Conditioning systems
Thermal energy is then dissipated at multiple points of load, typically Radiators, Underfloor Heating coils or Fan Coil Units etc
- Radiators & Fan Coil units are usually sized to the space that they are in, they are also thermostatically controlled to regulate output & maintain even temperatures. The Heatsource is sized to accommodate the maximum potential load.
- Underfloor heating is usually sized with reference to the capacity of heatsource & the potential load, pipe spacings are determined by the delivery rate of energy to the floor. Control is typically done by Air Temperature with Slab Limit temperatures measured to protect floor coverings and limit temperature overshoot.
The concept in essentially to treat the home as a single insulated box and to heat the internal space as evenly as required.
The Primary Benefit ~ the whole property is heated & controlled as efficiently as possible.
Early Central Heating
2000-Year-old Roman underfloor heating. Bath, UK
The hypocaust - heating the floor and walls using hot flue gasses, heat is drawn through the structure by natural draft / convection.
Basic Central Heating Systems
Typical central heating will have either Radiators, inslab Underfloor pipe network or fan convectors.... Or any combination of the 3. Warm water is pumped from the heat source to the part of the house that needs it, when it needs it.
Radiators tend to be very quick to respond to demand and can be hot within 15 - 20 mins, getting the room up to its desired temperature within the Hour.
Underfloor is usually slower to respond but heats the room up from floor level meaning everything in the room is universally heated to the desired temperature.
Some systems will utilise both, which give the best of both worlds. Add the hot water cylinder to the system so that you heat your domestic hot water at the same time - typically cheaper than running the immersion element.