Heating Renovation for Prefabricated Panel Houses
When renovating heating systems in prefabricated panel houses, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as floor slab load-bearing capacity, construction conditions, and costs. The specific plan should be selected based on the actual situation, choosing between wet or dry underfloor heating systems, while paying attention to insulation and construction specifications.
Applicability and Precautions for Wet Underfloor Heating
If choosing wet underfloor heating, it is crucial to evaluate the load-bearing capacity of the floor slab. The load-bearing capacity of prefabricated panels is typically 200 kg/m², but this can vary with the age of use and the span of the room. The thickness of the underfloor heating is generally 4 cm, and the weight of the pea gravel concrete backfill layer is significant, so calculations are needed to confirm whether it exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the floor slab. Strict control of water usage during construction is essential to prevent water penetration during backfill mixing, which could cause dampness or leakage on the ceiling below. It is advisable to communicate with neighbors in advance and promise to make repairs if necessary. Additionally, old houses often have poor wall insulation and low window sealing performance, so a 3 cm crystalline extruded polystyrene board should be used as an insulation layer, with a heat load calculated at 140 W/m². Regarding pipe spacing, it should be 15 cm in balcony areas and within 1 meter of windows, and 20 cm in other areas. The piping under beds should not be reduced, and the length of each loop should be controlled within 90 meters.
Alternative Plan for Dry Underfloor Heating
If construction conditions do not allow for the installation of wet underfloor heating (e.g., insufficient floor slab load-bearing capacity), dry underfloor heating can be considered. Its advantage lies in the absence of a need for pea gravel concrete backfill, completely avoiding the risks of floor slab overload and leakage. The thickness of the mushroom board is only 2.5-3 cm. However, it is necessary to test the flatness of the original floor, with a height difference controlled within 5 mm, and pay attention to gravity balance when placing furniture later. The requirements for heat load calculation, pipe spacing (15 cm in balcony areas and within 1 meter of windows, and 20 cm in other areas), piping under beds, and loop length are the same as those for wet underfloor heating.
Renovation Costs and Funding Methods
According to policies, interface fees and centralized pipeline network construction fees for urban centralized heating have been abolished, but the costs for renovating old residential areas need to be raised through multiple channels. For example, Haojiagou East Community in Yingze District, Taiyuan City, adopts a shared payment model between homeowners and developers, with residents bearing the cost of renovating indoor heating pipelines themselves. The specific cost-sharing should refer to local policies and the results of community consultations. It is recommended to consult with property management or heating departments in advance.
Key Construction Principles
Regardless of the underfloor heating method chosen, structural safety must be prioritized to avoid disputes caused by overload or leakage. At the same time, insulation measures should be strengthened in the renovation of old houses, and heating efficiency should be improved through reasonable pipe layout design to reduce energy waste.
