Can underfloor heating and radiators be combined?
Wet underfloor heating and radiators can indeed be combined together. It is quite common for properties in the United Kingdom to have underfloor heating e.g. on the ground floor and radiators on the upper floors. As the ground floor is generally concrete screed, in particular with new builds, this is the perfect floor construction for a water ...
Can radiators be installed on the first floor?
The first floor or upper floors are normally of a timber suspended construction. These also work with underfloor heating systems, but it can sometimes be more practical or cost efficient to install or keep radiators upstairs. It is very popular these days to install ufh in new build extensions.
Can you have underfloor heating on the ground floor UK?
It is quite common for properties in the United Kingdom to have underfloor heating e.g. on the ground floor and radiators on the upper floors. As the ground floor is generally concrete screed, in particular with new builds, this is the perfect floor construction for a water underfloor heating system.
How does underfloor heating work?
Underfloor heating does deliver a gentler heat. The system is laid beneath the top layer of flooring and spread outs throughout the entire floor area. Heat radiates from the hot water, into the plastic piping, into the screed floor and then into the room, heating objects within it, including you.
Can a radiator be replace with underfloor heating?
Can Underfloor Heating Replace Radiators? Using underfloor heating instead of radiators is possible and depending on your heat loss, you can even get rid of radiators completely. In order to decide whether underfloor heating can be used as the sole source of heat, you will need to conduct a heat loss calculation.
Is underfloor heating Cheaper than radiators?
Underfloor heating (UFH) now tends to be the emitter of choice for many self builders and renovators, for the comfort, efficiency and the extra wall space it gives. Radiators are cheaper than UFH and choice is as much about aesthetics as it is by the amount of heat needed.
Can a combi boiler run underfloor heating and radiators?
If you have a combi boiler in your home, you can still have underfloor heating installed. However, some adjustments may need to be made. If your radiators run off the same boiler as the underfloor heating, you'll need to have a suitably qualified heating engineer install a two-port valve.
Do I need a separate boiler for underfloor heating?
No, you do not need a special boiler for underfloor heating. Most UFH systems work brilliantly with all types of boilers, including gas combi boilers, condensing boilers and oil boilers. However, your current boiler may need some adjustments to ensure it works efficiently with the new underfloor heating.
What can go wrong with underfloor heating?
Trapped air is the most common problem with a malfunctioning underfloor heating system, especially one that uses hot water flowing through sub-floor pipe work. Air can get caught up in the pipe and stay there, causing issues with the whole system.
Is it worth getting underfloor heating?
When renovating your bathroom, underfloor heating is especially worth thinking about. You will save a lot on the labour cost if the flooring is being lifted up and changed anyway. The comfort and the cost savings of running the system on your heating bills will work out to your advantage in a longer run.
Which type of boiler is best for underfloor heating?
condensing boilersWhat is the best boiler for underfloor heating? There's no best boiler for underfloor heating because UFH works well with all modern condensing boilers. If you're looking to really maximise efficiency through the low flow temperatures of underfloor heating, take a look at air source heat pumps.
Is underfloor heating expensive to run?
Electricity is more expensive than gas, thus electric underfloor heating will not cost less than using a gas radiator. However, after the initial price for material and installation, water underfloor heating will pay off with very cheap bills over time.
How many kW boiler do I need for underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating can heat your home comfortably with a temperature of around 35 °C. Because of the lower temperature that is required, you can use an electric boiler in combination with underfloor heating quite comfortably. An electric boiler with a 6 kW can be enough for an underfloor heating system to run.
Can you run cold water through underfloor heating?
Underfloor cooling works in very much the same way as underfloor heating, except the energy transfer is reversed. This process of passing chilled water through the floor keeps the floor area cool, which continually absorbs warm air from the room.
Is underfloor heating noisy?
Does underfloor heating make a noise? Like most things in construction, if it's installed correctly – it should be fine. However, similar to radiators, you can have problems when air gets into the system and this can create noise. Or, if you're using a heat pump that has not specified to work with your heating system.
Can you install underfloor heating in an old house?
As mentioned earlier electric underfloor heating can be fitted in both new and old properties, and on existing subfloors. However the actual floor finish such as tile, laminate or vinyl needs to be removed and replaced with a new floor finish.
Is underfloor heating cheaper to run than central heating?
Cost effective and energy efficient to run Lots of people are put off of underfloor heating because of its high installation price. However since underfloor heating gives the same heat output as radiators at a lower temperature, running costs are often much lower.
Does underfloor heating use more gas than radiators?
They all basically come down to one basic point – underfloor heating requires less energy to run. The average under floor heating system will use between 15-40% less energy than conventional radiators; it requires a much lower flow temperature to heat a room due to its size and dimensions.
Is it cheaper to leave underfloor heating on all the time?
Basically, your home will heat up to a comfortable temperature faster. So, whilst it won't necessarily be cheaper to leave your underfloor heating on for a sustained period initially, it could lead to long-term savings.
Is underfloor heating expensive to run UK?
It costs less than 10p to run 1m² of standard underfloor heating at full power for six hours. Although some people still expect underfloor heating to be expensive to run, the reality is that both the initial installation cost and the ongoing running expenses can represent great value for money.
How to determine if underfloor heating is the sole source of heat?
In order to decide whether underfloor heating can be used as the sole source of heat, you will need to conduct a heat loss calculation. This will tell you whether the heat output of underfloor heating meets the heating requirement of the room or area; the maximum heat output must be larger than the maximum heat loss in order to have enough heat in the room.
What is floor heating?
Floor heating is the modern heating solution – creating the perfect temperature, making you feel warm and comfortable from the moment you enter the room.
Can you use underfloor heating in a kitchen?
Underfloor heating is a popular heating method and ideal in bathrooms and kitchens, but it can be used anywhere in the house. Using underfloor heating instead of radiators is possible and depending on your heat loss, you can even get rid of radiators completely.
Do you need to have both underfloor heating and central heating?
Good quality underfloor heating systems will last as long as the flooring above so there really is no need to have both unless budget restraints prohibit the removal of the existing central heating radiators.
Can you leave a radiator on when refurbishing a room?
If you are refurbishing a particular room such as a bathroom or kitchen, and there is already central heating in place, it may well be cost effective to leave the radiator there (turned off), and use underfloor heating as the main source of heating going forward depending on the heat loss.
Can you use underfloor heating instead of radiators?
Using underfloor heating instead of radiators is possible and depending on your heat loss, you can even get rid of radiators completely.
Why do subfloors need insulation?
The sub-floor needs insulating to stop heat being lost to the ground – choose the best option your budget will stretch to
How well insulated is your home?
Underfloor heating does deliver a gentler heat. The system is laid beneath the top layer of flooring and spread outs throughout the entire floor area.
What thermostat are you opting for?
Underfloor heating kits and systems will often come with a programmable thermostat that does the job but, the more sophisticated, flexible and controllable the thermostat, the better control you will have over the heal level in your home.
How is heat loss calculated?
Generally speaking, heat loss is calculated by adding conduction to infiltration.
How well is a home insulated?
How well insulated is your home? 1 Loft insulation needs to be at 270mm, and all the awkward spots in the loft also need to be insulated 2 The sub-floor needs insulating to stop heat being lost to the ground – choose the best option your budget will stretch to 3 Walls needs to be insulated, either with cavity wall insulation or thermal wall insulation 4 Double glazed doors and units need to be high quality with the highest energy efficiency rating possible
What is the main source of heat loss?
Conduction – this is how much heat is lost through the envelope of your home – the exterior walls, floor, roof, windows and so on, one of the two primary sources of heat loss
Can you use underfloor heating with a combi boiler?
If you have a modern, efficient combi-boiler, you can technically run the two systems. Underfloor heating can take the chill off the house but when you cannot fit on any more woolly cardigans, you could ask the system to send heat through the radiators. You could also use underfloor heating in certain rooms in the house ...
How does an underfloor heating system work?
The underfloor heating system uses its own feed from the boiler, with a blending valve and pump fitted at the manifold, to lower the water temperature entering the underfloor heating system. Meanwhile the hot water from the boiler goes directly to the radiator system and hot water cylinder.
What is the first floor of a house?
The first floor or upper floors are normally of a timber suspended construction . These also work with underfloor heating systems, but it can sometimes be more practical or cost efficient to install or keep radiators upstairs.
Can you combine underfloor heating and radiators?
Wet underfloor heating and radiators can indeed be combined together. It is quite common for properties in the United Kingdom to have underfloor heating e.g. on the ground floor and radiators on the upper floors. As the ground floor is generally concrete screed, in particular with new builds, this is the perfect floor construction ...
