Underfloor heating manifold: fitting and connecting
The manifold is the heart of your underfloor heating: all circuits come together there and the water is distributed. We fit the right manifold, connect it to the boiler, heat pump or district heating and balance every circuit.
Every underfloor heating circuit begins and ends at the manifold. That is where the flow and return are, a valve and flow meter per circuit, and often a pump and mixing valve that control the water temperature. A wrongly chosen or poorly balanced manifold is the most common cause of a floor that doesn't get warm everywhere. That's why we choose, fit and balance the manifold ourselves, on every job.
Which manifold suits your situation?
That depends on the heat source. On a boiler we usually fit a manifold with pump and mixing valve (LTV manifold): it mixes the hot boiler water back down to a floor temperature of 30 to 40 °C. On a heat pump or district heating that is often unnecessary: the heat pump already supplies low temperature and has its own circulation pump, so there we fit a pumpless manifold. We work a lot with Therminon manifolds in composite (doesn't corrode) or brass, from 2 to 12 circuits, with flow meters on every circuit.
Connecting to boiler, heat pump or district heating
We connect the manifold with flow and return in conduit, attach the circuits and connect the whole to your heat source. With district heating we fit air vents on top where needed; with a heat pump we finish with red and blue conduit for flow and return. Commissioning and adjustment of the heat source itself is done by its installer — everything up to and including the manifold is our work.
Flushing, venting, pressure testing and balancing
After connecting we flush every circuit, vent the manifold, pressure-test the system and leave it under pressure. Then we balance: with the flow meters we set the right flow per circuit, so a long circuit in the living room flows just as well as a short one in the hall. That balancing is the difference between a floor with cold corners and a floor that is evenly warm everywhere.
Where does the manifold go?
Preferably central and accessible: in the meter cupboard, an under-stairs cupboard, the utility room or the garage. The shorter the supply pipes to the circuits, the better. In Duiven we brought the pipes through the tiled floor to a manifold in the garage; in Almere we neatly tucked a 5-circuit manifold with Wilo pump into a cupboard. We think along with you about the best spot during the inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Is the manifold included in the price per m²?
Yes. Our price from €35 per m² excl. VAT includes the manifold, pipe, milling and connecting all circuits. Connecting to the boiler or heat pump is a separate line on the quote.
How many circuits do I need?
As a rule of thumb one circuit per 10 to 12 m² at 100 mm pipe spacing. A 60 m² ground floor therefore usually has a 5- or 6-circuit manifold. We calculate it exactly in the quote.
Do I need a pump on the manifold with a heat pump?
Usually not. The heat pump has its own circulation pump and already supplies low temperature. We then fit a pumpless manifold; whether that is possible we agree with your heat pump installer.
My floor doesn't get warm everywhere — is it the manifold?
Often yes: an unbalanced manifold, air in a circuit or a closed valve. On a floor we installed, we balance everything at handover. If you have an existing system with this problem, get in touch; we're happy to take a look.
Ready for a warm floor?
Request a no-obligation quote — reply within 2 hours.
Request a free quote →