UNIQUE PRODUCTS
The bit that makes us different
Unique is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to underfloor heating.
Here at Jupiter we continually strive to provide new solutions to the problems and challenges that our clients throw at us. We have undoubtedly introduced innovation to the UK underfloor heating market since 2004 and with our many connections across Europe we deliver new solutions that work.
Our product range has become renowned for its exceptional quality and reliability. Other systems are often replaced by ours when they fail prematurely or do not meet the original design criteria. It has taken us many years to secure our position as the supplier of the highest performing and highest quality underfloor heating systems in the UK.
Dry installed, panel-based systems have one fundamental advantage over traditional pipe in screed systems: response time. Whether heating up or cooling down, screed based underfloor heating systems can take hours to respond – a key complaint by owners of such systems. As dry installed systems respond far more quickly they can be turned off at night rather than simply set-back for a few hours. This aspect of non-screed systems represents a significant saving in energy costs – an estimated 14% saving.
The graph shown here demonstrates the energy saved as the Jupiter system maintains room temperatures more closely to desired room temperatures than a traditional wet screed system.
Our Pipe
Without sounding too obvious the pipe is at the centre of any underfloor heating system. From the very beginning we have only ever supplied German-manufactured multi-layer composite PE-RT (Polyethylene Raised Temperature) pipe. Composite pipe is relatively rigid and has a memory which makes it easy to install, holding the shape of the circuit once laid. Using a pipe dispensing reel makes installation even easier. It is easy to form bends in the pipe by hand, however bending springs should be used for particularly tight bends to prevent kinking.
Our pipe contains an inner aluminium core which provides a barrier that stops 100% of oxygen ingress. The aluminium layer is overlap-welded to ensure a strong and structured pipe. The inner and outer polyethylene layers prevent scaling and corrosion of the aluminium, hence protecting it from all outer elements. The special combination of aluminium and polyethylene (PE-RT) ensures that it is a full-strength plastic alternative to copper, giving the installer the advantage of both metal and plastic, but none of the disadvantages.
Panel based underfloor heating systems began to appear in the early 1990’s in Germany. Their introduction complimented other trades within the ‘dry-building’ sector. Dry building techniques vastly improve construction time as the dry out time from wet trades, such as plastering and screeding, are avoided. In addition to reduced installation time, panel based systems offer a faster response time and distribute heat more evenly.
The Jupiter IDEAL panel-based system comes in three formats:
IDEAL EPS: A 30mm polystyrene board.
IDEAL ECO: A 30mm recycled wood fibre board.
IDEAL NEO: A 19mm high performance NeoPor system manufactured by BASF.
Panel based systems versus traditional screed systems in brief
There is another clear advantage of panel-based systems over traditional pipe in screed systems – the even spread of heat. As these thermal images show, the aluminium diffuser plates within our panel systems provide a far more even heat distribution. Cold spots are a common complaint from customers who have had screed-based systems installed, panel-based systems help to prevent this.
Uneven heat distribution - screed system
Even heat distribution - panel based system
Load bearing surfaces – a bit more detail
Dry installed, panel-based systems have the clear advantage of being less messy to install. In addition, cement-based screeds can be a bit of an unknown and are generally installed by a builder whereas the underfloor heating pipework is installed by a plumber. This creates a split in responsibilities that, in the case of a problem, can leave the end-user with no one party to turn to.
At Jupiter we can provide and install the whole system – the panels, the pipe and the load bearing surface on top, leaving you with one point of contact for the entire underfloor heating system.
Screed system - installation
Panel based system - installation
Dry Levelling Solutions - Keep a level head, get in the know
For panel-based underfloor heating systems to be installed correctly the surface on which they sit must be flat and level. To achieve a flat substrate, smoothing or levelling compounds or our granular dry levelling compound can be used. Like all of our products, the dry levelling system has the advantage of requiring no drying or curing time.
Levelling compound - wet install
Levelling compound - dry install
For large void filling, we recommend foam glass aggregate which looks and feels similar to pumice. With fantastic insulative properties and a very high compressive strength, foam glass is the perfect alternative to a wet levelling compound and has the advantage that it does not absorb water. Foamed glass aggregate can be used for voids between 150 and 900mm.
For fine levelling we use a dry levelling slate. Its angular structure means that that it mechanically binds without the need for adhesives and like foam glass aggregate, has a high compressive strength. Levelling slate can be used for levelling between 10-60mm.
Controls - keeping things at the right temperature
With underfloor heating, you can independently control the temperature in each room. For this you require thermostats in each heated room that are linked back to their respective manifolds. Thermostats can be of the simple dial variety or can be programmable. They can even be controlled by your mobile phone.
