Under-Floor Heating
Underfloor heating is a great option for anyone looking to add a space saving, discreet and often cost effective heating system into their home.
What is Underfloor Heating?
Underfloor heating involves the installation of pipework in the floor so turning your whole floor into a radiator.
It warms the room from the ground up and has less demand on your boiler than a traditional radiator system. This is due to the underfloor heating having a lower operating temperature.
Underfloor can also help to prevent cold spots and draughts in your home.
It also eliminates the need for radiators, which in turn provides more space and design flexibility.
Types of Underfloor Heating
There are two main types of underfloor heating:
Wet underfloor heating
A wet underfloor heating system features pipes concealed within the floor (usually within a floor screed) filled by warm water and powered by your boiler or heat pump.
This is the best type of underfloor heating for those planning a large area or whole-house system.
If you are opting for a whole-house underfloor heating system, there will be separate pipes running into each room. This allows you to control when each rooms or ‘zone’ is heated and for how long. This prevents you from having to heat unoccupied rooms and spaces.
Electric underfloor heating consists of an electrical wiring mat that is connected to your electrical circuit. It is often cheaper and easier (particularly in existing homes) to install than wet underfloor heating, however, the running costs can be higher.
It is often a good idea to install electric underfloor heating in a small, single area like a bathroom or en suite, where it may be difficult to install wet underfloor heating.
Can I Install Underfloor Heating into my Existing Home?
You can install Underfloor heating in your existing home however it can be more expensive, especially if existing timber floors need to be taken up or concrete floors excavated.
When underfloor heating is added to an existing radiator system a different control system will be needed. A wireless thermostat is often used in this instance.
Underfloor heating can be more expensive to install than a radiator system — it typically costs 20% to 50% more, however radiators are often less efficient and take up floor space. If you are looking for a more energy-efficient house then Underfloor heating may be for you.