The Rapid Response Board: Understanding Heat Loss

While the board’s downward heat loss is minimal, in this article we will explain why unfortunately it’s not possible to provide a precise, universal figure for the Rapid Response Board’s downward heat loss.

The truth is the heat loss value varies, depending on the variables involved in the building fabric of each individual home such as value of the subfloor, windows and walls as well as ventilation and also surrounding factors such as temperatures internally, externally and of the subfloor. Therefore the board’s downward heat loss is not a static quotable value.

However, we can share the thermal performance of our Rapid Response® boards, which have been tested at the University of Salford’s UKAS-accredited lab:

• 20mm of Rapid Response® has an R-value of 0.447 (+/- 2.5%).
• 16mm of Rapid Response® has an R-value of 0.379 (+/- 2.8%).

These values can be used by yourself, your architect or heating engineer, to assess your specific heat loss situation.

The Wunda Rapid Response system is robust and designed to provide high performance with the UK’s existing housing in mind. The user can run their system and achieve their desired room temperatures at the lowest possible input temperatures according to their situation.

The close pipe spacing and larger pipe bore ensures maximum floor coverage and the highest output possible. The thermal energy from the pipe takes the path of least resistance, spreading across the thick aluminium cover of the board, into the floor above.

Please note that while the EPS material provides some insulation, it is not a replacement for proper building insulation. In a new build, the property should be built to up-to-date building regulations.

If you have an older property that is successfully heated by radiators, we guarantee the Rapid Response system will heat more efficiently and effectively than radiators, using much lower input temperatures (30-50°C). However, if your home is unsuccessfully heated by radiators due to high heat loss, the heat loss should be addressed regardless of your choice of heating system.

We have supported thousands of systems and customers over the last ten years and are confident in guaranteeing the system’s performance.

 

Do I need room by room heat loss calculations for a Wunda Rapid Response System design?

Some companies provide overlay and screed systems that use 10-12mm pipe at wide spacings (200-300mm spacings). These systems require precise heat loss calculations to ensure adequate performance. For these systems, it is essential to asses each room separately and take into account variables such as high ceilings, the number of windows, air flow and ventilation and address the size and spacing of pipe suitably. Without doing these calculations, you could end up with a cold home, cold spots and higher running costs!

However, Wunda Rapid Response systems are made differently, utilising 12mm or 16mm pipe with close spacing (120 – 150mm respectively). This ensures the systems we provide are engineered to run at the lowest possible running temperature for our users and eliminates the need to design with varying pipe sizes & spacings to accommodate heat loss calculations.

Our Wunda Rapid Response system is designed to be highly efficient and effective, even in older properties. Our robust designs reliably allow for efficient heat transfer, using water flow temperatures between 30-50 °C.

If you are building a new build adhering to current building regulations, our system will easily provide the required heat output at the lower end of end of the temperature range.

In older properties, running temperatures towards the higher end of the range might be necessary.

However, if your older property’s current central heating system is struggling to maintain adequate heat, addressing the underlying heat loss issues such as poor insulation, is crucial. This is true regardless of the heating system you choose.

By prioritising system performance, we’re able to offer a solution that’s both effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

If you are interested in using an architect or heating engineer to work out your homes heat loss calculations to asses your home’s insulation or heat source, we are happy to help and provide all the relevant R values and system loading for our boards and system.

 

If you have any questions – please get in touch

Or if there’s anyone you know who might benefit, please feel free to share!

We’re always happy to help,

 

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