TIA Manifolds – an efficient solution for underfloor Heating systems in nZEB and WT2021 buildings

Modern construction in Poland and throughout the European Union is heading in one direction: maximum energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), from January 1, 2028, all new public buildings will have to be zero-emission, and from 2030 this requirement will cover all newly constructed facilities.

A zero-emission building is one that consumes minimal energy and relies primarily on renewable energy sources. In Poland, the WT2021 standard applies, which introduced the requirement for nZEB (nearly Zero-Energy Building) buildings. This means stricter limits on the primary energy demand indicator (EP), better insulation of partitions, and the need for broader use of renewable energy sources. For single-family homes, the current EP limit is 70 kWh/m² per year.

Why your heating system needs the right manifold?

In modern construction, it’s not enough for a heating system to meet applicable standards. It must guarantee stable operation, full control, and precise flow balancing. In underfloor heating systems, it’s the manifold (together with the automation system) that determines the efficiency—whether the energy supplied by a heat pump or condensing boiler will be distributed evenly, without losses. A well-selected and properly adjusted manifold maintains the designed flow in each underfloor heating loop, ensuring that the heating medium reaches all rooms in the right quantity and temperature. This minimizes the risk of excessive overheating of shorter loops and underheating of longer ones.

Stable operation of the heating system means lower energy consumption, minimal temperature fluctuations in rooms, and no excessive load on the heat source. Proper hydraulic balancing allows for energy savings of 5–15% in typical single-family and multi-family building installations and commercial facilities, which directly translates into CO₂ emission reduction. In practice, this means that in a typical house with an area of approximately 150 m², properly regulated flow on the manifold can generate savings of up to several hundred zlotys annually on heating costs.

Real comfort, every single day

While numbers and standards are important, ultimately the goal of every heating system is to provide optimal comfort for users. A precisely operating manifold that evenly distributes the appropriate amount of heat is not only lower bills, but above all:

• Even temperature throughout the room, without cold zones near windows and “edge zones”.
• No “cold feet” effect – underfloor heating enhances the perception of higher temperature at lower room temperature settings.
• Quieter installation operation thanks to the elimination of flow noise and pump operation in the optimal range.
• Faster system response time to changes in heat demand, e.g., through underfloor heating executed in a “dry” system.

TIA Manifolds – tailored to building and heating system requirements

In the context of increasingly stringent requirements for building energy efficiency, solutions that allow precise management of thermal energy in heating installations are becoming increasingly important. Requirements for them vary depending on the type of building, its size, type of heat source, and energy standard. In modern construction, three elements are key: precise hydraulic balancing, stable return temperature, and minimization of energy losses. TIA manifolds have been designed to meet these requirements in single-family and multi-family buildings, offering various configurations tailored to the specifics of buildings:

• STANDARD TN – optimal for single-family homes and small commercial facilities, ensures even medium distribution and basic flow control.
• STANDARD TN +1 – best for multi-family buildings and small-scale public utility facilities, facilitates filling, bleeding, and servicing of the installation.
• STANDARD TN M – designed for buildings with higher energy efficiency. Allows for very precise setting of water flow in each loop, optimal operation of heat pumps or condensing boilers, and low-temperature supply.
• PLATINIUM TN – for facilities requiring greater reliability and minimal service maintenance. Equipped with automatic air vents stabilizing flows and temperature in the installation.
  

The selection of the appropriate manifold should result from the building’s requirements and installation characteristics. For simple heating systems, STANDARD TN and TN+1 series manifolds are dedicated, for facilities with higher energy efficiency STANDARD TN M, and for systems requiring automation and minimal maintenance PLATINUM TN. In each case, the manifold ensures precise flow control, temperature stability, and real energy savings on the scale of small and medium investments.

Practical effects of using TIA manifolds

In passive houses and well-insulated nZEB facilities, the EP indicator can drop to as low as 35–45 kWh/m² per year with the use of low-temperature heating and precise control. Typical single-family homes, without passive standards, with properly selected manifolds allow staying within the WT2021 limit, not exceeding 70 kWh/m² per year. In larger commercial and multi-family facilities, modular manifolds enable maintaining stable EP parameters throughout the building, which in this case is important for meeting nZEB requirements and future zero-emission standards.

Table 1. Energy consumption (EP) in different building types

An investment that pays off

Choosing a quality manifold is an investment in the long-term efficiency of the installation. Although higher standard models may be more expensive to purchase, this difference essentially pays for itself through lower operating costs, longer installation lifespan, and lower service needs. Over a 10–15 year perspective, energy savings and avoided repair costs can far exceed the initial price difference.

Summary

In modern buildings, every element of the heating installation matters, but it’s the manifold that determines the efficiency of the entire system. Well-selected and properly adjusted, it will ensure stable room temperatures, lower energy consumption, efficient heat source operation, and everyday user comfort.

TIA manifolds enable installation companies and investors to meet WT2021 requirements and nZEB standards in practice, without additional complications or costly modernizations. It’s a solution that maximizes system performance and genuinely reduces the EP indicator, regardless of building type – from small single-family homes to larger commercial and multi-family facilities.

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