An underfloor heating manifold is a system that distributes warm water to each UFH zone. They connect the underfloor heating pipework to the heat source, feeding water at the correct temperature from either the boiler (via a blending valve) or from the heat pump, directing it to each UFH tube at the correct flow rate.
When you turn on or turn up the thermostat, the zone valve opens, letting more hot water flow through the underfloor heating pipes and therefore increasing the amount of radiant heat that is provided by the system.
Anyone with general competency and who follows the manual provided with a manifold can install the underfloor heating pipework. Connecting feed/return pipework and commissioning the system will require a qualified plumber, and for installation of the wiring centre and thermostats, a qualified electrician.
The Blending/Mixing valve is the heart of an underfloor heating system. It blends colder water from the underfloor heating system and returns with hot water from the heat source to supply the correct temperature of water to the underfloor pipework.
An actuator acts as a gate, opening and closing to allow water to flow through each circuit. The actuator is controlled by the corresponding zone thermostat.
Manual Air Vent:
An Manual Air Vent allows air to be removed from the underfloor heating system by unscrewing the valve key.
Auto Air Vent:
An Auto Air Vent automatically discharges any air that may build up within the underfloor heating (UFH) system to eliminate any cold spots within the floor. An alternative solution to manual bleed valves, the integral float automatically drops to allow any air to be vented from the top of the valve.
Underfloor heating thermostats in wet systems are also either wired or wirelessly connected to a controller, but instead of the controller turning a circuit on or off, it will instead open up a motorised valve on the underfloor heating manifold that then allows warm water to flow to that zone.
An underfloor heating wiring centre makes installing your underfloor heating system a breeze, simplifying the wiring process. The actuator, boiler and pump connections are all wired from a single point using the wiring centre. Wiring centres are suitable for wet underfloor heating systems.
Yes, you can control multiple loops/rooms with one thermostat but that would still be one zone.
2 wire actuators power only (L,N or +/-).
4 wire actuators power (L,N or +/-) but also have a normally open microswitch.
