An innovative, thin and quick-to-install prefabricated Prefabricated ‘click-in’ underfloor heating system capable to be installed directly on the existing floor and connectable to the radiator system.

Project Information

HEATILE

Grant agreement ID: 887705

DOI

10.3030/887705

Project closed

EC signature date 26 November 2019

Start date 1 December 2019

End date 31 March 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

KEOKI COMPANY SA
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HEATILE (An innovative, thin and quick-to-install prefabricated Prefabricated ‘click-in’ underfloor heating system capable to be installed directly on the existing floor and connectable to the radiator system.)

Reporting period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Underfloor radiant heating has become one of the preferred methods for new buildings not only because its advantages regarding design possibilities and comfort, but also because its lower operating costs and improved efficiency. However, underfloor heating systems are rarely used in existing buildings due to the high complexity and cost of the work required, which make the spaces unusable for several weeks.

HEATILE is an innovative hydronic underfloor heating solution based on the use of prefabricated radiant modules (tiles). It completely replaces the function of a conventional radiator-based system while overcoming the issues of the state-of-the-art underfloor heating technologies. It is very fast an easy-to-install (hours instead of weeks), being the market’s thinnest and fastest-acting underfloor heating system. From the user point of view, it provides unique advantages: there is no need for masonry works, it is cost efficient and its extremely low thermal inertia allows for a drastic reduction of the heating time.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Prototypes of the prefabricated modules have been made of 430 stainless steel with internal piping made of copper. These prototypes were tested and several characteristics such as thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, thermal insulation, density, compressive strength and operating pressure were measured. These results were checked against target specifications and a comprehensive action plan and its associated budget to reach them was planned.

From a commercial point of view, we have defined and analysed both the Industrial & Residential Heating and the Underfloor Heating markets. A market segmentation was done based on solution type, use, and geographic. Main market trends boosting this market growth and the main competitors in the market were identified. Finally, the main regulations affecting HEATILE, as well as the market barriers that might prevent a successful commercialisation and the IPR strategy were carefully assessed. From a financial point of view, the five years financial projections show a profitable business

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

HEATILE drastically reduces the installation times from several weeks to few hours, without using screed and avoiding the issues that nowadays hinder a faster adoption of underfloor heating technology. It does not require demolition works, allowing for time savings of 90%. It is the thinnest solution, adding very little weight to the floor (12,5Kg/m2 vs 100kg/m2 of state-of-the-art solutions), which makes it suitable for already existing buildings. Also, by being so thin, the thermal inertia of HEATILE is much lower, making it possible to warm a room much faster and at a lower operating temperature, which translate into less operating costs.

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