Underfloor THE ULTIMATE BUYER’S GUIDE TO heatıng
Underfloor heating (UFH) in its modern guise isn’t new. In fact self-builders have been championing the emitter for a long time but it’s now seeing increased uptake among renovators and extenders alike in the UK. Its widespread interest has made it less of a luxury for the few and more a ‘can-have’ for the many. Its efficiency credentials, space-saving attributes and even heat distribution make UFH an attractive proposition. But is it right for your home? In this ultimate buyer’s guide we explore all you need to know about UFH so that you can make an informed choice before you go ahead and buy.
WHAT IS UNDERFLOOR HEATING?
“Underfloor heating involves the installation of a system (of either pipes or wires) into the floor,” explains energy efficiency expert Tim Pullen. “The floor, in essence, becomes the entire radiator, heating the room from the ground up, which helps create a consistent heat across the room.” Radiators work in a different way to this — heat rises from a radiator towards the ceiling , so a room is effectively warmed from the ceiling down. This is why a room with radiators often has areas that feel colder than others, often referred to as ‘cold spots’. Heat coverage is more evenly distributed with UFH. “With a UFH system, the ceiling can be at 18°C and we will still have a comfortable 20°C at sofa level,” continues Tim.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
There are two UFH options: wet or electric (we’ll cover both in more detail on page 152 and 153). A wet (or warm water) underfloor heating system features pipes filled with warm water, powered by a boiler or heat pump. Pipes are either embedded within a floor screed or are surface mounted in low profile insulated panels. Electric UFH systems consist of looped cables or thin mats, connected to your electrical system, that lay beneath your floor finish.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF UFH?
There are many benefits to installing UFH in your home:
• Reduces cold spots across large areas creating real comfort.
• Wet UFH runs at a lower temperature meaning it can be coupled with low energy renewable heat sources, such as air source and ground source heat pumps.
• Compatible with many types of flooring.
• Removes need for space-stealing radiators. Underfloor heating increases the available floor area of a house by 15%.
• Better for indoor air quality.
