Hypocausts: Heating Homes In Ancient Rome

In ancient time, Romans used a combination of Greek and Phoenician style of architecture to built bridges, temples, arches, harbours, palaces, baths, domes, and vaults. Innovative concrete was used to build public buildings. Even today, the architecture and design of the Constantine, Pantheon, and Pont du Gard appear outstanding, owing to the durability of the materials used in the construction. Ancient Roman architecture shows how it provided long lasting residential buildings which were equipped with piped water (Pompei) and double glazing (Ostia Antica). The scheme of dome construction of the Baths of Diocletian and the Baths of Caracalla provided cover on public baths and basilicas.

The ancient buildings and baths were designed for the masses. Some buildings were designed to provide hygiene such as public baths and latrines. Hypocausts were used to provide under floor heating in these buildings. The word hypocaust means “fire beneath” in Greek. The hypocaust was made by raising the floor above the ground using pillars. A layer of tiles was used above the layer of concrete. Spaces were left inside the walls to allow hot air and smoke to pass through the enclosed area, and get out of the roof. The design allowed the interior of the room to be heated and it also expelled the smoke. Ceramic box tiles were used to remove the hot air. The rooms which required more heat were located close to the furnace and wood was added regularly to create the fire. Since the system required people to constantly tend the fire, it was an expensive system which was used only in public baths and villas. The Romans constructed the system so that public baths could be run efficiently. Before the construction of hypocaust, a kind of single fire hearth was used for heating the houses. Hearth was situated in the middle of the house and it was also used for cooking. Other than hypocausts, Kachelofen was used for heating, and it was a hot stove which captured heat and released it into the room.

In modern era, there are fan-assisted heaters or ACs used for central heating system. Gas or electricity is used for heating water or water is heated in a boiler or in a loft. Hypocausts were popular in the 1960s in UK and electric supply was used to run the system. However, it is very expensive to maintain hypocausts because the fire has to be kept burning by using wood or electricity. Sometimes, these electricity-based hypocausts did not deliver the desired output. Nowadays, the general heating system is based on the concept of under floor heating of hypocausts. Electric under floor heating can be commonly seen in households in UK which comes with home extensions, bathrooms, and conservations. In the new system, the manufacturers use thermal floor insulation to provide improved central heating.

Follow these links to learn more about Roman hypocausts and Roman architecture.

  • Hypocaust: Excellent overview with pictures and diagrams.
  • Verulaium Park: Describes the Roman hypocaust at the site.
  • Roman Baths: Picture of a part of the hypocaust in Baths, England.
  • Roman Towns: An overview of some Roman buildings including the hypocaust.
  • Roman Baths & Bathing: A look at Roman Baths and the ingenious invention known as the hypocaust.
  • Free Convections: The study focuses on how free convections in Roman hypocausts were dictated by geometry.
  • Hypocaust in Cathedral: A description of a Roman hypocaust in a cathedral with image.
  • Perge: Excellent picture of the hypocaust chamber at the baths.
  • About Hypocaust: Presents information on the Roman hypocaust with image and picture.
  • Hypocaust Floor: A picture of the pillars which used to support the hypocaust floor of the caldarium.
  • Roman Power/Roman Architecture: Describes a number of famous Roman architecture like the Pont du Gard, Colosseum, Arch of Titus, and more.
  • Glossary: Describes many terms related to Roman art and architecture.
  • Temple Architecture: A look at the design and elements of the architecture of Roman temples.
  • Roman Architecture: General overview of Roman Architecture covering road and bridge, water system, bath, public structures, and more.
  • Building Technology & Architecture: Digitized slide shows on Roman concrete, bridges, water supply systems, and more.
  • Construct a Roman Aqueduct: An interesting way to learn how Roman aqueducts were constructed.
  • Roman Aqueduct: Presents the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, Spain with lots of pictures.
  • The Roman Colosseum: Great resource page on this wonder of Roman architecture.
  • Pont du Gard: Dedicated to this spectacular piece of Roman architecture.
  • Early Central Heating: A history of central heating from hypocausts to fireplaces, and beyond.