Underfloor Heating Guide
Underfloor Heating is becoming an increasingly popular alternative method of heating and is now considered not only comfortable, and highly efficient, but also affordable. That is why more and more domestic properties, in the UK today, are installing Underfloor Heating in their homes. Whether it be your bathroom, your conservatory or even you whole home, Underfloor Heating can provide invisible warmth right from underneath you. It also eliminates the need for radiators, thus creating more space within your property, allowing greater flexibility when designing room layouts. Underfloor Heating is also considered less of a health and safety risk, as with hot radiators where they could be a potential hazard for the elderly or young children.
How does underfloor heating work?
As you may already know heat actually rises; so as with traditional radiators, heat is thrown up towards the ceiling, only to travel downwards again cooling down on the way. Therefore uneven warmth is created, with the majority of warm air being higher up in the room. Underfloor heating however provides a gentle air circulation from directly underneath you, and therefore as the warm air rises, it creates an even heat distribution throughout the whole room, with the air cooling down when it reaches the ceiling. So your whole body can feel the benefit of the warmth, including your feet.
Underfloor heating can be installed alongside your current central heating system. This is called a “Wet System”, as warm water is used to circulate through pipework installed under your floor, thus creating heat. Alternatively, special heat mats are installed, which are then heated via electricity. This is what is known as Electric Underfloor Heating. Electric Underfloor Heating is easy to install and extremely cost effective, although Wet system installations are thought to be more economical to run.
Underfloor Heating is ideal for both existing properties and new build. It is suitable for use with most floor types, for example, concrete screed and timber (floating or suspended). It can also be used with tiled floor and carpet floors, although it is important to discuss such issues with your installer beforehand.
If you are considering Underfloor Heating, whether it be Wet System or Electric, it is important to calculate how much heat is required, in order to adequately heat the room/s in question. This can be determined via a heat loss calculation. Many manufacturers offer free quotations for any underfloor heating installations, particularly Wet System installations. Electric installations are usually calculated via the available surface area. Measurements for electric installations need to be as accurate as possible, as heat mats cannot be shortened.
PlumbNation offer a vast range of Underfloor Heating products, from the UK’s leading manufacturers, for example, Danfoss who produce the Danfoss Devimat. The Danfoss Devimat is available in a range of sizes, with a choice for solid or timber floors. Other leading manufacturers include Speedfit and Hep2o, who offer market leading Underfloor Heating for wet system installations.
As every installation is different, PlumbNation would like to recommend that if you require further advice on choosing an underfloor heating system, then you contact the manufacturer direct, who will be able to offer you expert advice.
