Underfloor heating for Parish Neukagran

In the midst of Vienna's Donaustadt, the Neukagran Parish Church of St. Maria Goretti has firmly rooted itself for over 65 years. The VarioKomp underfloor heating now provides cozy warmth in the church.

Built according to the plans of architects Peter Czernin and Lukas Matthias Lang, the Neukagran Parish Church is a listed building and has become an indispensable part of the 22nd district.

A few years ago, the heating in the church had to be urgently renewed due to cracks in the air tank. At that time, Ing. Franz Zoubek from the parish council and the building office of the Archdiocese of Vienna worked on a sustainable solution to the problem. They decided to install an energy-saving low-temperature underfloor heating system, which was to be operated with pellets. The choice fell on the VarioKomp underfloor heating from Variotherm, as its low construction height of only 20 mm complied with the requirements of monument protection. In addition, its simple and quick installation and the fact that it quickly provides cozy warmth while reducing heating costs were convincing arguments.

Building sins eliminated

Before the time for renovation came, some challenges had to be overcome. The 500 m^² church floor, which had been hidden under a PVC covering with a chip carpet on top, showed significant unevenness. After the church floor was leveled, 530 m^² of compact panels (biologically tested gypsum fiberboards) could finally be laid. A total of five kilometers of VarioPro-Fil pipe (aluminum multi-layer composite pipe) were laid in the pre-milled knobs. Finally, the compact filling compound was applied.

Divinely warm

The 13 m^² module wall heating behind the altar also provides pleasant radiant warmth. Thanks to the installed surface heating for the floor and wall, temperatures in the church climb to plus 12 °C despite minus 10 °C outside temperature – and this with impressive 35 cm (!) thick, non-insulated concrete walls. Without heating, it would be below freezing in the church in winter.

The first five heating periods are more than satisfactory. "The heating costs for the church were about 6,600 euros per year with the directly oil-fired air heating and are now around 1,000 euros," says parish council member Zoubek with satisfaction.

In addition to the financial benefits, there are no more environmental sins, because: The 49 tons of CO₂ previously caused annually could be reduced to 6 tons.

Variotherm products:

• 530 m² Underfloor heating in dry construction
• 13 m² Wall heating/cooling in dry construction