What is a manifold?

Connecting the pipework to the heat source in an underfloor heating system, manifolds are the control centres of your heating. They regulate the system's temperature, pressure, and flow rate, ensuring heat is evenly distributed across the floor. Our premium Belgian-made, stainless-steel manifolds include:

• Manual valves for each port
• Adjustable flow meter for optimal balance
• Pre-assembled fixing brackets
• Triple seal pipe connections to eliminate leakage.

What do manifolds do?

Wet underfloor heating systems comprise pipework fitted within a freshly laid screed or directly within custom underfloor heating insulation boards or panels. The pipework can be laid in various circuits, for example, a single circuit for a particular room or multiple circuits for larger, open-plan spaces –  these are known as zones

Each floor circuit connects to a central manifold which allows independent control of the zones. Manifolds also control multiple circuits concurrently, heating different rooms at different temperatures. Typically, each zone includes its own thermostat.

Where is the best location for a manifold?

Manifold placement is crucial to your underfloor heating system's efficiency. A position central to the heating zones is optimal, as this ensures pipe lengths are shorter, so that heated water circulates quickly and evenly. Bear in mind that for larger projects, you may require more than one manifold - when installing underfloor heating across several floors, for example.

What are air source heat pumps?

Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air – this heat is then used to power your underfloor heating system.

How do air source heat pumps work?

Air source heat pumps extract heat from the outside air in the same way that fridges extract heat from its inside – extracting heat in temperatures as low as -15° C. Moreover, heat pumps continuously renew the extracted air naturally, saving on fuel costs and reducing harmful CO2 emissions.

Heat pumps convert the heat they extract from the air into fluid. This fluid then passes through a compressor which increases its temperature to heat the home's hot water circuits. 

• Air-to-water systems distribute heat via your wet central heating system. Heat pumps work more efficiently at lower temperatures than standard boilers.

Air source heat pumps are more suitable for underfloor heating systems or larger radiators, which emit heat at lower temperatures over long periods.