An uncoupling mat includes a flexible plastic layer having indentations provided with undercuts on a first, top side and cavities positioned between the indentations on an opposite bottom side. A fleece or fabric is securely connected to the second side and covering the cavities. A plurality of weakening zones is formed in the top surface of the film-like plastic, which each extend between two rows of indentations in a straight line between opposing side edges of the plastic layer and allow the plastic layer to move substantially transversely to the direction of extension of the weakening zones. Some of a first group of weakening zones extend parallel to one another across the top surface of the film-like plastic. Some of a second group of weakening zones extend parallel to one another across the top surface of the film-like plastic and intersecting the first group of parallel weakening zones.

A support structure for a heating or cooling system includes a plurality of projections designed to be capable of retaining one or more thermal elements positioned adjacent thereto. The projections are positioned so as to form a first set of substantially parallel undulating channels, each channel having one of the projections forming at least a part of the inner radius of each undulation, with each projection having a recess formed in a side wall thereof facing said channel. The undulations of the channel ensure that a thermal element positioned in the channel will make contact with the projections each time it has to bend around one, without requiring spacing of the projections to squeeze the thermal element. The thermal element can thus be held securely without any play (unwanted lateral movement) in a channel that is slightly wider than the thermal element. Recesses in the channels at the contact points also restrict movement in the vertical direction, thus preventing the thermal element from ‘popping out’ of the channel, while not requiring any restriction narrower than the thermal element.

A deck assembly is formed of a plurality of deck boards spanning across a second of joist members to provide structural support between the joist members. Each deck board includes a base frame with an upper panel having an upper supporting surface and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly from the upper panel in engagement with the joist members to support the upper panel spaced above the joist members. Each deck board also has one or more channels formed in the upper panel so as to define an elongate passage which is recessed downwardly relative to the upper panel and which is open at a top side at the upper supporting surface of the upper panel to receive an elongated flexible heating member within the channels of the deck boards. Panels of finishing material on the upper supporting surfaces span over the heating member.

A hydronic panel and system for heating and/or cooling a room is disclosed. The hydronic panel includes a plurality of contiguous channels. A first chamber is located at a first end, preferably the upper end, of the panel and includes an inlet and communicates with a first subset of the channels. A second chamber is located at an opposite end of the panel and communicates with the first subset and also with a second subset of the channels. A third chamber is located at the first end of the panel, the third chamber communicates with the second subset of the channels and includes an outlet. In this configuration, heated or cooled water flows from the inlet into the first chamber, through the first subset of the channels, to the second chamber, through the second subset of the channels, into the third chamber and out the outlet. Consequently, the heated or cooled water can heat or cool the space. In addition to at least one hydronic panel, the system includes a source of heated and/or cooled water under sufficient pressure to cause the water to flow through the panel. The system also includes a controller to control one or both of the temperature of the water and the flow rate of the water through the panel.

A direct heat exchange system uniformly transfers heat through a multiphase substance, such as a refrigerant, to a barrier that emits heat radiantly and convectively. The system solely uses the multiphase substance to exchange heat between the multiphase substance and the barrier. No intermediary fluids are used. A heat exchange portion, such as a heat pump, absorbs and emits heat and transfers it to the multiphase substance. A tube portion carries the multiphase substance to the barrier. The heat is directly exchanged between the tube and the barrier. The barrier emits radiant heat or absorbs heat. A tube fastener fastens the tube to the barrier. A thermal mass portion stores heat behind the barrier. A dehumidification coil helps prevent indoor condensation and tempers the temperature of the air proximal to the barrier by drying the air. A decorative panel covers the tube portion and the thermal mass portion.

A hydronic floor heating system as it relates to an HVAC apparatus, approach and system. Aspects of the present system and approach may include a radiant floor optimization mode, low floor temperature in vacation mode, modifying a 300 Hz, or so, reading principle base on implementation of Pseudo-random jittering of a reading event improving short-term accuracy of the individual readings, and a combination of hardware and software filters for using thermal sensors with extended cable length.

Methods, systems and devices for making a pedestrian, vehicular, or other surface resistant to frost, snow and ice by use of heat are disclosed. A composite base or deck element includes a recess to accommodate heating element. A thermal insulator has an upward facing layer of heat-conductive aluminum foil, above which sits the heating element. On top is a pedestrian, vehicular, or other exposed surface, for example a tactile warning surface.

A hydronic floor heating system as it relates to an HVAC apparatus, approach and system. Aspects of the present system and approach may include a radiant floor optimization mode, low floor temperature in vacation mode, modifying a 300 Hz, or so, reading principle base on implementation of Pseudo-random jittering of a reading event improving short-term accuracy of the individual readings, and a combination of hardware and software filters for using thermal sensors with extended cable length.

A support for the heating elements of radiant coverings and floors is disclosed. One example of a support disclosed herein includes bosses having a concave portion. In some examples, defined on the surface of the concave portion is at least one adhering low relief, for example four adhering low reliefs may be provided per concave portion.

An underlayment membrane between a base surface and an outer coating of a building surface includes a base layer and multiple protrusions extending from the base layer to retain conditioning elements. The protrusions define a plurality of paths, between their side walls for the conditioning elements, which include: first straight portions defined by pairs of protrusions positioned side by side and spaced apart by a distance at most equal to the thickness of the conditioning elements, to hold them by friction; one or more second corrugated portions defined by two or more protrusions spaced apart by a predefined distance greater than the thickness of the conditioning elements and arranged in pairs aligned along lines, which obliquely intersect the path so that a conditioning element is retained by elastic-mechanical contrast with the side walls of the protrusions, the first and second portions of the paths being aligned with each other.