Underfloor heating can be used to replace radiators and act as your primary heat source or it can be used as secondary heating on top of your traditional heating system, it’s efficient and economical.
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Underfloor heating works by turning the floor area into a giant, invisible heat emitter. Depending whether you opt for a water or electric system, tubes or cables which heat up are installed beneath the floor covering to warm the room from the ground up.
Underfloor heating is generally associated with stone or tiled floors, but you can fit it in a carpeted room. You'll just need to ensure that the carpet and underlay isn't so dense that it stops the heat moving upwards (a tog of no more than 2.5 is a general rule of thumb).
There are two main types of underfloor heating systems available and the best solution for you will depend on a range of factors including:
Read more below to work out which is the best option for you or, alternatively, give Carters Plumbing and Heating a call on 01243 210246
With a water-based underfloor heating system, a series of flexible tubes are connected to your heat source. This can be either:
Tubes will be connected to your heat source using a manifold and the bigger the system, the more pipes it will have and the more complex the manifold will be.
Warm water is circulated through the tubes throughout the floor area in order to heat the space. Because the heat emitted is more evenly distributed than a single radiator, the system can use water at a lower temperature making it more efficient and cost effective.
The system will also be fitted to a thermostat (or thermostats, if you're splitting your property into zones) so that you can regulate the temperature.
With an electric underfloor heating system, instead of water tubes a series of electric wires are installed beneath or within your flooring which heat up and warm the area.
Electric underfloor heating is usually placed on top of a layer of floor insulation to ensure the heat travels upwards rather than down. The heating wires are then connected to your mains supply and it will also include a sensor to help regulate the temperature. You can then use a thermostat to control the temperature and pre-set the system to turn on or off.
There are different types of electric systems and the right one for you will depend on:
Most types of floor coverings can be used with both water and electric based underfloor heating but some work more efficiently than others.
The maximum power of the system is normally specified in Watts per square metre.
If your floor is well insulated and you have a reasonably modern home, the power of an underfloor heating system usually needs to be between 65-85W/m² to give the required output.
This table indicates how different floor coverings transfer heat to the surface of the floor:
The air closest to traditional radiators is heated first and can be prone to both cold spots and overheating. Heat from underfloor heating provides a consistent warmth from the floor up throughout the room at the desired temperature, making underfloor heating much more energy efficient.
Once installed, underfloor heating systems require almost no maintenance. Electric systems will not need any regular servicing whereas water underfloor heating systems may require the occasional review to make sure everything is working correctly.
With an underfloor heating system, you can ditch the radiators mounted on the wall. This allows you much more space within the room for furniture and can give you a more minimalist look. It means you can decorate the walls as you wish without the restrictions that the traditional radiator creates.
Without the sharp edges and hot surfaces of radiators you can ensure that your young family stay safe. Radiant heat is much better for the air quality in a room since it keeps the air fresh and oxygen-rich. Also underfloor heating circulates less dust through the air than a traditional radiator.
In order to heat a room effectively traditional radiators need to be heated to a high temperature (65-75 degrees Celsius). In comparison underfloor heating only needs to run at a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius or less depending on the floor finish, keeping your energy bills far lower.
Both water and electric underfloor heating systems can provide you with tailored temperature controls to give you right amount of heat in specific areas of your home at specific times. Choose from manual, programmable or WiFi controls to save you money and boost energy efficiency.
There will be a certain amount of upheaval to install either a water or electric underfloor heating system. Water-based systems take longer to install due to their more complex installation requirements, however the lower running costs provided by wet systems can offset this initial price.
Retrofitting underfloor heating may have an impact on your floor heights. Most electric systems will have a negligible effect on floor levels but water systems require a deeper installation technique using screeding so are typically recommended for new-build projects.
Electric underfloor heating systems are usually easier and cheaper to install, but are more expensive to run. Competent DIYers can even install some electric systems themselves, although you'll need to hire a qualified electrician to wire up the system.
