Underfloor Heat Collector

An ICAX Underfloor Heat Collector is used to collect surplus heat from within a building in summer to store the heat in ThermalBanks over the autumn for recycling that heat in winter back to the same building without burning fossil fuels.

The Underfloor Heat Collector performs the same function as an ICAX Asphalt Solar Collector which collects surplus heat from asphalt roads in summer. For buildings where there is no access to asphalt roads for heat collection, the Underfloor Heat Collector provides an alternative means of collecting surplus heat in summer. It also performs the valuable function of providing cooling to the building. Heat can also be collected from flat roofs using a Watertight Solar Collector.

A second function for existing building fabric

ICAX gives a second function (heat collection) to standard building fabric (underfloor heating pipes) that will need to be built in any event. The marginal extra cost of adding heat collection from planned underfloor heating pipes is less than the cost of buying dedicated solar thermal panels. There is no visual impact. Heat collection is most efficient when the building will benefit from cooling.

ICAX places a ThermalBank beneath the foundation of a new building. This gives a second function (heat storage) to standard building fabric (the insulated foundation of a new building). There is no visual impact.

ICAX uses a heat pump to recover warmth from the ThermalBank in winter and deliver heat via underfloor heating (using the same array of pipes as used for heat collection) into buildings to provide heat without burning fossil fuels.

Successful Trial

TRL reports on the successful trial of Asphalt Solar Collectors and Solar Road Systems for the Highways Agency in Toddington Results.

See Renewable Heat.

See Renewable Cooling.