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Malta Business Review
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
CLIMATE CHANGE
Malta Business Review
INFOGRAPHIC
The Evolution of
Underfloor Heating
# 1
#2 2,500 BC-1,400 ad
5,000 BC
by Amy Blackwell
The earliest example of underfloor heating was found in Korea.
There is evidence to suggest they had baked or heated floors called Ondol meaning "warm stone".
In 500 BC the Greeks and Romans began usign hypocausts, a system that involved the floor being built
on pillars so that hot air could pass through the spaces beneath.
In 700 AD you could find hypocausts in wealthy homes and public baths in the Mediterranean.
In 1400 AD hypocausts were being used for Turkish baths in the Ottoman Empire.
# 3
#4 early 20th century
19th century
Research in to surgace reflectivity, thermal conductivity and surface emissivity was conducted.
Aiming to develop the first water boilers and piping systems in Europe.
In 1899 German scientist Hans von Pechmann accidentally discovered polymethylene.
This plastic would go on to be an important component of all wet underfloor heating systems.
European Parliament's President Antonio Tajani
European Parliament's President Antonio
Tajani reacted to the announcement by U.S.
President Donald J. Trump to withdraw from
the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“Pacta sunt servanda. The Paris Agreement
must be respected. It is a matter of trust
and leadership” said European Parliament
President Antonio Tajani (EPP, IT). "This
Agreement is alive and we will take it forward
with or without the US administration" he
said.
"Those who choose to remain on the outside
will miss a historic opportunity for citizens, the
EP President Tajani: “the Paris agreement
is alive and we will take it forward”
planet and the economy. The EU will continue
to lead efforts against climate change and
be a global pole of attraction for investment,
innovation and technology, creating new jobs
and boosting competitiveness" he added.
Environment Committee Chair Adina-
Ioana Vălean (EPP, RO) also reacted to the
announcement: "We deeply regret this
decision, and hope that this is only ‘see
you soon’ and not ‘farewell’ from our U.S.
friends", said Ms. Vălean. "To ease the
transition to a low-carbon economy is simply
to be pragmatic. The global community is
committed to the Paris Agreement. Civil
society, industry and public awareness have
evolved. The United States still shares our
planet, and we are entitled to hope that,
beyond the decision of just one man – even
if he is the President of the United States –
America will, in the end, come back on our
side in the fight against climate change”, she
added.
“In the meantime, we shall continue
leading, together with China and the High
Ambition Coalition. What is more, given the
threat of global warming, this is a fight for
multilateralism, for international cooperation,
and for peace. And for we Europeans, an
existential one", she concluded.
Facts
The European Parliament is currently
working on three legislative measures
implementing the Paris Agreement: the
post-2020 carbon market (EU ETS) reform
(rapporteur Julie Girling), the 2030 targets
Effort Sharing Regulation (rapporteur
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy) and the Regulation
on greenhouse gas emissions and removals
from land-use, land-use change and forestry
(rapporteur Norbert Lins). MBR
In 1907 English Professor Arthur H. Barker invented a system to warm panels using small pipes.
In 1930 Oscar Faber started heating and cooling homes with water pipes, inspiring Frank Lloyd Wright.
He designed the first Usonian home in 1937 using underfloor radiant heating.
A feature of all Usonian homes.
In 1945 the first big development using water based heating was developed by designer William Levitt.
# 5
lATE 20TH CENTURY
Following research in to potential heating materials by Dr J. Bjorksten the first polyethylene plant was
built in Canada in 1953. The first underfloor heating system using water pipes was installed in Canada
in 1960. In 1965 Thomas Engel managed to cross-link molecules to stabilise polyethylene, an idea that
he later sold to pipe producers in 1967. In 1980 floor heating became fairly common in residential and
non-residential developments across Europe.
#6 2000 and beyond
Since the millennium HVAC systems have been introduced in Europe.
Underfloor heating and cooling systems are used for integrated climate control in many developments.
Adding luxury and improved comfort to homes and public spaces.
About the author
Amy Blackwell is an Editorial
Account Manager.
Creditline: LinkedIn
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