In our experience, Water Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating and cooling is a form of central heating and cooling which achieves indoor climate control for thermal comfort using conduction, radiation and convection. The terms radiant heating and radiant cooling are commonly used to describe this approach because radiation is responsible for a significant portion of the resulting thermal comfort but this usage is technically correct only w…
Why choose an electric underfloor heating system?
Electric systems are perfect for use as primary or secondary heat source. Heating a large area with electric underfloor heating is possible and efficient when paired with a smart thermostat or especially renewable energy. After installation an electric system is maintance free and totally out of sight.
Should I choose water-based or wet underfloor heating?
You will also need to be weary of placing heavy objects on parts of your electric underfloor heating system whereas there is no need to be cautious with a water-based underfloor heating system. Why Choose Water-Based or Wet Underfloor Heating?
Are there any myths about underfloor heated floors?
There are a lot of myths surrounding both forms of Heated Floors so we have compiled information on both of these underfloor heating systems as well as an in-depth analysis of the benefits of water-based underfloor heating systems.
What is the cheapest underfloor heating option?
Electric underfloor heating is often cited as the cheapest installation option when looking for underfloor heating. However, be cautious as there are high running costs with this underfloor heating system as it runs via electricity.
What is better electric or water underfloor heating?
Warm Water Underfloor Heating More powerful in heat output than electric systems plus much more energy efficient than radiator systems and can completely remove the need for traditional radiators in your home.
What are the disadvantages of underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating consCost – The initial cost can be considerable and the installation of the system can cause a lot of upheaval in your home. ... Time – Underfloor heating takes longer to fire up than a radiator, so you have to use a timer to predict when you want heat in certain rooms.More items...•
Is it worth having 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.
Is underfloor heating cheaper 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.
Does underfloor heating use a lot of electricity?
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.
What is the lifespan of underfloor heating?
The running costs are generally far lower for UFH than radiators. It's worth noting too that underfloor heating systems have a lifespan of 50 years plus, while the average radiator will only last between 8-12 years before becoming inefficient.
Should you turn off underfloor heating in the summer?
Underfloor heating can be switched off during Summer when the outside temperature is warm enough. This is because it takes longer to warm up and cool down than other heating methods, making it harder to adjust your settings when the outside temperature is warming your home.
Do I need radiators with underfloor heating?
In order for the underfloor heating system to produce enough heat to warm your space, its output must be larger than the maximum heat loss. If not, the room will be too cold and you'll need an additional heat source in the space, such as a radiator.
What's the best type of underfloor heating?
Screeded wet underfloor heating systems are the most popular and effective type of underfloor heating. Pipes are clipped or stapled onto an insulation layer, then the screed is laid on top. The warm pipes effectively heat up the whole slab, giving even and consistent heat output.
Is it cheaper to have radiators or underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating is more eco friendly than using radiators and uses less energy, meaning they cost much less in the long run! As long as you have installed it properly, you could save about 25% of the energy you would use with a radiator, and up to 40% when running from a heat pump.
Should you leave underfloor heating on all the time?
It is advised that in the depths of winter, an underfloor heating system should be kept on at all times. Although it should be at different temperatures depending on usage and activity in the house. This is because underfloor heating can take two to three hours to warm up, so it is best to not completely turn it off.
What is the most economical way to use underfloor heating?
What is the most efficient way to control underfloor heating? Warm water underfloor heating is highly efficient, but can be made even more so by making sure you're balancing underfloor heating in the best way.
Can I put furniture on top of underfloor heating?
Yes! You can place furniture on underfloor heating, provided that the heat won't damage the furniture. Also, avoid placing underfloor heating under kitchen units, baths, and other fixed units.
Should you turn off underfloor heating in the summer?
Underfloor heating can be switched off during Summer when the outside temperature is warm enough. This is because it takes longer to warm up and cool down than other heating methods, making it harder to adjust your settings when the outside temperature is warming your home.
Does underfloor heating raise dust?
In fact, underfloor heating does not produce dust. Dust exists almost everywhere, if the level of dust is visible means that we must identify the cause of its appearance. Even if we change the heating system this does not help to eliminate dust. The dust will rise and if we train it by moving in the room.
Can underfloor heating leak?
A: A leak in underfloor heating is highly unlikely. Potential damage to a system normally occurs during installation, where the underfloor heating pipe gets cut accidentally or becomes otherwise damaged.
What are the different types of underfloor heating?
The two types of underfloor heating are electric and wet, also known as dry and water underfloor heating systems respectively. Installing underfloor heating will help to keep rooms and floors warm through radiant heat, offering a space-saving solution as well as providing a perfect alternative to traditional radiators.
Can I install underfloor heating under any floor?
As mentioned before, the good news is that all underfloor heating systems can be installed under nearly every floor type, including tile, wood, stone, laminate and carpeted surfaces. This means that no matter the type of floor you already have, you will likely be able to upgrade to an underfloor heating system.
Which type of underfloor heating is best?
As with any home improvement project, deciding on the best options for your upgrades is a critical decision that needs to be made. You don’t want to pay lots of money for an appliance or system that isn’t suitable for your house or needs.
Electric Underfloor Heating Systems
Electric underfloor heating systems use electric cables that heat up when connected to mains electricity. A screed finish is often used in a new build property, and for existing properties, electric mats or tiles are regularly installed. Electric systems are usually preferred for existing structures as it is easier to install than a barrier pipe.
Wet Underfloor Heating System
Wet underfloor heating systems, also known as a water underfloor heating system or gas underfloor heating, works by hot water circulating through suitable polyethene barrier piping with separate circuits for different zones within the property. Zones are then connected to a manifold with regulating valves and a thermostat.
What is the cheapest underfloor heating system?
Electric underfloor heating is often cited as the cheapest installation option when looking for underfloor heating. However, be cautious as there are high running costs with this underfloor heating system as it runs via electricity. Should a water-based underfloor be installed correctly then there is little to no maintenance required whereas an electronic underfloor heating system is prone to faults (similarly to many electronic meshes.) You will also need to be weary of placing heavy objects on parts of your electric underfloor heating system whereas there is no need to be cautious with a water-based underfloor heating system.
What is wet underfloor heating?
Your wet underfloor heating system heats at a lower temperature than traditional heating systems and methods. This system also allows for more even heat distribution, making for a more efficient heating system. This allows you to enjoy a wonderfully warm and luxurious room all year round and this will allow you to fully enjoy your underfloor heating system.
What is Easyflow heating?
Easyflow are underfloor heating and liquid screed specialists, being market leaders in the sector across the Midlands and North West.
Do you need radiators for underfloor heating?
Removing the need for radiators is a feature that is key in the popularity of underfloor heating systems. Radiators can be an eyesore in a room (especially if you are looking to execute an open plan design.) Your wet underfloor heating system will radiate heat from the floor to the roof which allows you to create a lovely warm floor and for even ambient temperatures around a room or rooms in your property.
Is underfloor heating more popular?
There is no question that underfloor heating systems are becoming more and more popular across the country. One debate that is often had when discussing UFH is between the two main types of underfloor heating systems, water-based underfloor heating systems and electric underfloor heating systems.
Why is water underfloor heating more time consuming?
Water UFH: Water underfloor heating however is more time consuming when you have suspended wooden floors because: Each joist has to be notched to allow the piping to pass. Expensive diffusion plates must be used to transfer the heat across the wooden floor.
How much screed is underfloor heating?
Water UFH: Water underfloor heating pipes are buried in 75-90mm of screed. Although the screed is a relatively good conductor of heat it does take a while for the warm water underfloor heating pipes to heat the screed before the room can be heated.
What is UFH in heating?
Water UFH -The warm water pipes are typically laid on top the insulation with the screed poured on top. Electric UFH -Electric underfloor heating mats are laid on top of the screed just underneath the final floor covering. This allows it to have a faster warm up time.
What is the fastest floor covering to install under a floor?
The easiest and fastest floor coverings to install under are floating wooden floors or carpets. Tiles are a little more time consuming and the lengthiest are Amtico or Karndean floors as the mats have to be covered by a self levelling compound.
Can you use water underfloor heating on wood floors?
Water UFH: Wood is not a great conductor of heat and as the warm water underfloor heating pipes have to be installed under the wooden floors this limits the choice of floor covering. It is fine if the floor covering is tiles or the wooden floor boards are to be the final covering. It is not however suitable for thick carpets or floating laminate / engineered wooden floors.
Can you retrofit underfloor heating to concrete?
When retrofitting warm water underfloor heating on top of an existing concrete floor, you have to build a false wooden floor to accommodate the piping. By raising the floor height you have a whole range of problems such as door height, sideboards, kitchen units, electric sockets etc. As electric underfloor heating is so thin it doesn’t effect the floor height avoiding all these problems.
Do you need a manifold for water underfloor heating?
Water UFH: Warm water underfloor heating systems require a manifold on each floor, for large properties there may even be multiple manifolds on each floor. This obviously takes up valuable space which you could put to better use.
What are the Benefits of Electric Underfloor Heating?
Electric underfloor heating usually takes up less space than a wet underfloor heating system. There will still be some build up as you will most likely need a backing board but the wires are a lot thinner and the system can be a lot closer to the surface
How Does Electric Underfloor Heating Work?
Electric underfloor heating is a method of space-heating that uses a thin heating wire installed under the surface of your floor. The wires warm up when required, heating the floor surfaces which then gives off radiant heat to your room. The floor will also feel warm underfoot.
How thick is an underfloor heating system?
Try a thin electric underfloor heating system which has wires that are attached to a thin mesh, the whole product is less than 2mm thick. The floor levels are not raised as the tile adhesive is then applied directly onto the mesh and the heater then effectively sits in the adhesive layer.
How much electricity does an electric underfloor heating system use?
Therefore if your electric underfloor heating is 125W per square meter then for every eight square meters of floor you will use 15p per hour that the system is on .
How much does electricity cost per kilowatt hour?
Electricity is around 15p per kiloWatt hour (kWh) and gas is around 5p per kWh. Electricity costs about 15p per unit and a unit is 1 kilowatt (kW) for one hour so it is referred to as a kilowatt per hour (kWh). Therefore if your electric underfloor heating is 125W per square meter then for every eight square meters of floor you will use 15p per ...
What is underfloor heating?
Electric underfloor heating is electrical wiring that is connected back to your electrical circuit (ra ther than wet underfloor heating, which is a system of pipes that are installed in the floor and circulate warm water. The water can then be heated by your main heat source such as a boiler or heat pump).
Where is underfloor heating installed?
Electric underfloor heating is often installed in kitchens and bathrooms as these rooms usually have fairly hard floors (which often feel cold, especially when barefoot) and there is a lot of furniture and fittings that leaves very little room for effective radiators. The electric underfloor heating is also quicker to heat up ...
