Components of hydronic floor heating systems

Hydronic floor heating systems consist of three main components:

-. Heating source

-. Heating panels

-. Hydronic manifolds, thermal controller, thermostat, etc.

Heating sources are gas/electric tankless water heaters, gas/electric tank water heaters, and air-to-water heat pumps. They provides heated-water individual heating spaces through hydronic manifolds. Air-to-water heat pumps can do both heating and cooling w/ hydronic fan coils.

Heating panels are available in various types. It holds heating pipes in/under floors. Some are designed to transfer heat quickly to the floor surface; Others are designed to hold heat slowly to the surface, holding heat in it. No matter what type it is. They should strongly support finished floors.

Manifolds and thermal controllers work between heating panels and heating source. Manifolds distribute heated water to individual heating zones. Thermal controllers control on/off of heating source to maximize energy efficiency. Zone valve controllers are used to open or close zone valves.

In general, finished floors are home owner’s responsibility. Namu Floor Heating recommends SPC floors that are thicker than 7 mm. Tiles are also be installed, depending on heating panel types.

Configuration of Floor Heating w/ Navien NCB Gas Boiler

- For Both Floor Heating and DHW -

This is the most common configuration of floor heating. This serves both floor heating and domestic hot water. Up to 3 heating zones can be set up. A Google Nest thermostat is for a heating zone. The Google Nest phone application can control multiple Nests. A single heating loop may consist of multiple hydronic heating loops. The Navien NCB boilers support up to 3 heating zones.

Configuration of Floor Heating w/ Navien NHB Gas Boiler

This configuration is for space heating only. The most efficient Navien NHB boilers are used. The NHB boilers support up to 3 heating zones internally. Hydronic fan coil units, such as Myson iVector, can be used for quickly heating air.

Configuration of Floor Heating w/ Heat Pump

Air-to-water heat pumps, such as LG Monobloc, are used as the heating source. An electric heat pump water unit may be needed for providing hot water consistently. Hydronic fan coil units, such as Myson iVector, can be connected for quickly heating air. This configuration serves up to 3 heating zones.

Configuration of Combined Space Heating/Cooling w/ Heat Pump

Nature of air-to-water heat pumps, both heating and cooling, is involved in this configuration. During heating season, the heat pump provides hot water for heating floor and air. During cooling season the heat pump provides cool water for cooling floor and air. Available modes as of today:

-. Floors: heating only

-. Fan coils: both heating and cooling

Floor Heating Applications for Residential Homes (1/4)

- A Single Floor w/ Multiple Heating Zones; Gal/Electric Tank Boiler -

This application consists of a gas/electric tank water heater, a hydronic manifold, a zone switch relay, and multiple heating zones on a single floor. The zone switch relay turns the boiler on or off. It also turn the system circulating pump on when it needs to circulate heated water. The hydronic manifold serves multiple hydronic loops. Multiple hydronic loops could be installed in a single heating zone, such as a bedroom. A Google Nest or a Honeywell thermostat could be used to adjust an individual heating zone. Home owners need as many thermostats as number of zones. This application:

-. Is easy and simple to install and maintain

-. Is best fit for a small size single floor homes

-. Is wi-fi connection available

Floor Heating Applications for Residential Homes (2/4)

- A Single Floor w/ Multiple Heating Zones; Navien Combi Tankless Boiler -

This application is good for a single story small/medium size homes. It consists of a Navien NCB combi tankless water heater, a hydronic manifold, a Namu thermal controller, and multiple heating zones on a single floor. The Namu thermal controller turns the boiler on or off. It also closes or opens valves in the manifold. The Navien NCB boiler automatically turns the system circulating pump, when it needs. DHW takes priority over space heating. This application:

-. Is easy and simple to install and maintain

-. Is easy to control Individual room temperatures

-. Is best fit for a small/medium size single floor homes

-. Supports for both domestic hot water and space heating

Floor Heating Applications for Residential Homes (3/4)

- Multiple Floors w/ Multiple Heating Zones; Navien Combi Tankless Boiler -

This application is best fit to home owners of two/three-story home who want to adjust temperature of individual room. It consists of a Navien combi boiler, two/three Namu thermal controllers. Navien NCB combi boilers support up to 3 heating zones. The number of heating zones correspond to the number of floors of the home. No need to install a thermostat in individual room. DHW takes priority over space heating. This application:

-. Is best fit for two/three story homes.

-. Is cost effective.

-. supports both DHW and space heating.

-. Has multi layers of air elimination systems.

Floor Heating Applications for Residential Homes (4/4)

- Multiple Floors w/ Multiple Heating Zones; NHB Tankless Boiler -

This application is little different from others above, in terms of used parts. All parts in the application are ‘made in U.S.A.’ This application can supports up to 3 space heating zones. Each heating zone represents a floor. Number of Google Nest thermostats correspond to number of heating zones. The Navien NHB boilers has industry-leading AFUE of 95% and turndown ratios up to 15:1. This application:

-. Is space heating only.

-. Provides better reactions to changing heating demands.

-. Use Google Nest thermostats.

-. is convenient in terms of supplying parts.

Hybrid Hydronic Floor Heating Systems

The hybrid hydronic heating system consists of hydronic floor heating and hydronic fan coils. The system eliminates the main disadvantage of a forced air system, which is dried air. It also alleviates the main disadvantage of existing hydronic floor heating/cooling, which is slow heating. Gentle breezes from the hydronic fan coils quickly heat your dwelling space. Hydronic floor heating keep the temperature constant. The clean floor keeps your beloved ones from carpet-related allergies.

Namu floor heating has researched and developed hybrid hydronic heating systems. It is an innovative heating systems that well fit with air-to-water heat pump applications. Our hybrid hydronic systems yield a cozy, allergy-free, and energy-saving dwelling space.

The HOYA ONDOL system has been developed to bring back the traditional Korean ondol floors to modern residential homes. HOYA ONDOL shall deliver a cozy dwelling space to your home. The elvan stone panels are developed by co-research with KIST (Korean Institute of Science and Technology) to adopt the traditional Korean ondol to a modern dwelling space.

HOYA ONDOL panels are made from eco-friendly carbon composite with elvan stone powder, and can be reused. It can also reduce your energy bill up to 30%.

Hoya Ondol Component Layers

Specifications of Hoya Ondol Components

Specialized Boilers & Thermoregulators for Namu Hydronic Heating System

Navien Tankless Combi Boilers

Navien’s NCB-H condensing combi boilers offer industry leading DHW features including the highest maximum BTU/h for DHW (210,000), highest flow rate of 5.4 GPM at 70° F rise and a DHW turndown ratio of 15:1.

  • Highest DHW flow rate @ 70°F rise...
    up to 5.4 GPM

  • Highest number of BTU sizes for
    the North American residential
    combi-boiler market

  • Highest residential combi DHW TDR...

  • 15:1 for all models

  • Highest residential combi heating
    TDR... up to 11:1

  • Highest number of built-in zone controls for valves or pumps... up to three

  • Highest full lineup 2" PVC venting lengths... up to 65 feet

  • Highest number of cascade capable
    units with NPE tankless water heaters... up to 15

  • High altitude certification... up to 10,100 feet (NG or LP)

  • Lowest minimum fire BTU for residential combi-boilers... as low as 10,700

Navien NHB condensing heating boiler is the most advanced condensing fire tube boilers in the industry, and now with more heating capacity for any size home.

• Good for small & large homes

• Low noise

• Up to 15:1 turndown ratio

• Built-in capability for multiple zones

• Wi-Fi compatible

• Expandable via cascading technology

Installation of Hoya Hydronic Heating System for a Whole House

Step 1: Preparation for installation

  • Plan the best layout for the floor heating pipe

  • Hoya’s elvan stone panels are a rather firm material. Therefore, a fairly even surface is required.

  • Clean the floor to secure even surface.

  • Lay the insulation sheets. Two layers of insulation is strongly recommended for a better heating result.

  • Tightly tape the overlapped lines to trap cold air under the floor.

Step 3: Install the PEX(PE-RT) Pipe

  • Roll out the pipe pushing it into the channels of the bottom panels

  • Unroll the pipe hand over hand to avoid twisting or kinks

  • Do not kink the pipe by trying to make a very tight turn

  • The pipe should run start and finish at the manifold, by fitting the manifold in place before laying the pipe. Allow sufficient pipe for cutting and fitting at a later stage

Step 05: Connect PEX Pipes and Flow Controllers to Distributor, and Connect the Distributor to the Boiler

  • Connect PEX(16mm) pipes to the distributor(distribution manifold) using coupling sockets.

  • Install actuators onto the coupling sockets.

  • Install thermal sensor probes into the installed actuators.

  • Connect the flow manifold to hot water outlet of the boiler.

  • Connect the return manifold to returning inlet of the boiler.

※ Note: We use DK Navien electric boilers. This step must be done by a licensed plumber.

Step 2: Install the bottom panels

  • Start laying the panels. Lay panels side by side along the edge of a wall in the most appropriate orientation.

  • Continue to lay panels across the rest of the floor.

※ Note: Take care to align panels accurately.

Step 4: Install the top panels of HOYA ONDOL

  • Snap-fit the top and bottom panels

  • Use the rubber mallet hammer for easy work

  • Please make sure all the male panel clips of the top panels are securely positioned into the female clips of the bottom panels.

  • We strongly recommend to use Hoya panels on all the work area to create an evenly firm floor surface.

Step 06: Configuration of Thermoregulator and Room Temperature Controller

This installation step requires comprehensive understanding of thermoregulators and general boiler knowledge. It should be done by a highly skilled contractor.

  • Discharge air in the pipes and the boiler. DK Navien boilers have the function of discharging air. However, we strongly recommend to discharge air in the system.

  • Initialize the thermoregulator and the boiler. It would take about 20 minutes without any system errors detected. It would take about 20 minutes to handle an error with one actuator. In many cases, errors are related with thermal sensor probes. Please make sure the thermal sensor probes are installed securely.

※ Note: We use OnSystem’s room temperature controller and thermoregulator units. With DK Navien electric boilers, it delivers individual room temperature controlling, and achieves up to 30% energy reduction.