Underfloor heating is one of the most recent innovations in radiator technology. Here is everything you need to know.
Whilst radiators bring a unique sense of style and personality to a home, they are not always the most efficient methods of keeping your property warm. With a wide range of innovations and great value installation techniques, underfloor heating has quickly become one of the most popular methods of home heating on the market today. That being said, there are plenty of reasons why an underfloor heating installation might not be right for you, so it’s best to weigh up the options before investing in a system.
What is underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating is made from either piping or electric coils, and takes the form of a heat up mat which is installed under your floor. Once turned on, the underfloor heating system heats up the floor and by association, the room, presenting an efficient method of circulating heat around the space.
Wet
Wet underfloor heating refers to systems which run through the central heating system. Pipes are installed underneath the floor and when turned on, hot water flows under the floorboards and heats up the metallic panels and mesh.
Dry
Dry underfloor heating is a system which run on electricity. These systems can be turned on by the mains in the room and can be turned on and off when necessary.
Is it right for me?
Underfloor heating isn’t right for everyone. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider a system.
Underfloor heating is efficient
Underfloor heating works by radiating warmth from the floor upwards. Heat naturally rises, so by installing it at the lowest point possible, underfloor heating will diffuse more evenly throughout the room you’ve placed it in.
Underfloor heating keeps a low profile
If you are low on space or are worried a radiator will ruin your rooms ambiance, then underfloor heating is an efficient and non intrusive way of warming the room without adding visual clutter to it. By its very nature, underfloor heating is felt but not seen.
Underfloor heating is flexible
This makes underfloor heating incredibly flexible. Whatever system you go for, it can be installed in any and all rooms in the house and with many different floor types. These include laminate, hardwood, stone and even thin carpet.
And the downsides?
Although it is largely a an efficient and hassle free method of home heating, there are a few downsides to UFH which might not make it right for your home.
Takes a long time to warm up
Due to its spread out nature and lack of reliance on gravity to push the water through a wet system, UFH can take a little longer to heat up than a radiator. Most people who install a UFH system in their home, keep it running at a lower temperature, to increase the overall warmth of the room. If you’re after a quick and short bursts of heat, then an aluminium radiator is probably a better option.
Intrusive installation
Installing something underneath your floor means disturbing the rooms daily use. Make sure that if you do install it in, for example, a bedroom or bathroom, that you have an alternative place to sleep or wash whilst the installation is taking place.
