A hypocaust (Latin: hypocaustum) is a system of central heating in a building that produces and circulates hot air below the floor of a room, and may also warm the walls with a series of pipes through which the hot air passes. This air can warm the upper floors as well. [1] .

Hypocaust, in building construction, open space below a floor that is heated by gases from a fire or furnace below and that allows the passage of hot air to heat the room above. This type of heating was developed by the Romans, who used it not …

Hypocaust is a term derived from the Greek words " hypo," meaning "under," and " caust," meaning "burnt." They were furnaces that burned underneath the floor, distributing heat throughout a public building or large villa. The system consisted of pilae stacks that supported a slab made of tiles.

Mar 21, 2025 · Hypocausts were used for heating hot baths and other public buildings in ancient Rome. They were also used in private homes.

Jan 14, 2018 · Over 2000 years ago, they invented the hypocaust, a heating system used in homes and baths. Only wealthy homes could afford the hypocaust, but the hypocaust was the closest thing to central heating today.

Jul 1, 2024 · A hypocaust (Latin: hypocaustum) is a central heating system in a building that generates and circulates hot air beneath the floor of a room and can also heat the walls through a network of pipes carrying the hot air.

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of Roman hypocausts and discover how they transformed the way people lived and stayed warm. What is a Hypocaust? Derived from the Greek words “hypo,” meaning “under,” and “kaiein,” meaning “to burn,” a hypocaust was a heating system used in Roman buildings.

The meaning of HYPOCAUST is an ancient Roman central heating system with underground furnace and tile flues to distribute the heat.

Mar 22, 2017 · Hypocausts were heating systems that distributed the heat from an underground fire throughout a space beneath the floor. The heat was absorbed by the floor and then radiated into the room above. The effect on thermal comfort must have been similar to that of a modern-day hot water or electricity-based radiant floor heating system.

Hypocaust under the floor in a Roman villa in Vieux-la-Romaine, near Caen, FranceA hypocaust (Latin hypocaustum) was an ancient Roman system of underfloor heating, used to heat houses with hot air. The word derives from the Ancient Greek hypo meaning "under" and caust-, meaning "burnt" (as in caustic).