✅ Underfloor heating is nothing more than running heating directly under the floor so that it emits warmth into the rooms. The pipes through which the heat flows are usually called circuits (also loops or sections). Thanks to underfloor heating manifolds, we can direct heat to each of these circuits, but also regulate how much heat we want to release to each circuit through valves and controllers. This way, through the valves on the manifold, we can easily decrease or increase the amount of heat directed to a particular room according to our preference.
This solution is very efficient, convenient, as well as simple and quick to install – provided that we buy the UFH manifold ready-made, assembled, with pre-installed valves. That's why this solution is common in newly constructed buildings today.
This can be important as it can significantly improve the ease of use or control of the entire heating system in the event of any potential heating failure (after all, this system is supposed to serve us for years, and we don't know what will happen in 10 years).
✅ It's important for the underfloor heating manifold to have valves that allow for the possibility of opening or closing a particular loop - this will allow us to perfectly regulate the amount of heat energy directed to that loop. The valve will also allow us to shut off a loop in case of any malfunction. In modern systems, the valve can be replaced with an electric actuator, which, when combined with the appropriate controller, will take over and open or close the loop automatically.
✅ It should be avoided to use blind manifolds - without valves, meaning without loop regulation. This is a decidedly primitive and outdated solution.
The picture shows a Nordic Tec underfloor heating manifold in full equipment: besides the UFH manifold body, it also includes shut-off valves with thermometers, flow meters, drain valves, and AL-Pex fittings. Available in versions from 2 to 12 sections. The picture shows a 6-section UFH manifold. Alternatively, it can be customized with ball valves with thermometers, and there's also a version available with angle valves for underfloor heating manifold.
As with almost any hydraulic-heating equipment, low price is an appealing attribute, yet it should not be the deciding factor. On auction websites, dozens of types of UFH manifolds imported from Asia are sold, which unfortunately differ in quality from domestic ones. Often these are brass manifolds, but the material quality leaves much to be desired, as it contains many impurities that the seller does not always disclose accurately. While a high price does not necessarily guarantee quality, it is advisable to avoid the lower end of the price range.
It's worth remembering this because a potential heating manifold failure in the middle of winter would be very unpleasant and wouldn't bring any additional savings.
✅Generally, central heating manifolds vary greatly in size - from 2-circuit manifolds, which are quite cheap (around 60-100 € depending on the equipment) - to 12-way underfloor heating manifolds, which can be quite expensive (depending on the equipment, ranging from 180 to 300 €). This still refers to manifolds without a circulation pump, which always represents an expense of cca 80-150 € (if we are talking about a decent device); the circulation pump is not considered part of the underfloor heating manifold set.
In most traditional single-family homes, the underfloor heating manifold is powered by a pipe with a size of 1 inch. To ensure there are no surprises during installation, inquire about this matter with a professional before ordering the equipment. There are also underfloor heating manifolds powered by a 1 1/4" pipe, but they are typically used in larger buildings.
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Compendium of knowledge about Underfloor Heating Manifolds - questions and answers
Types of underfloor heating manifolds and how they work
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