Underfloor heating turns your floor into one big heat emitter via a system of pipes or cables laid under the floor. It's efficient and effective, and has become an increasingly popular option, providing an energy efficient alternative to traditional radiator systems. But is underfloor heating the best choice, and how does it work? Here’s our underfloor heating guide, explained by InsulationBee LTD your one stop for everything Insulation.
What is underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating is either a ‘wet’ system that will pump warm water through pipes or a ‘dry’ system of electric coils placed under the floor. Underfloor heating is a popular heating solution as it’s an efficient way to heat up a room, it creates a warm surface to walk on during winter and is hidden so you have more space for furniture or decor.
If you are considering renovating and including underfloor heating in your project, an electric system would be the recommended choice. Electric underfloor heating works by running electricity through a heating cable to produce heat. An electric system is laid on top of a subfloor, it is easy to install and increases floor levels by no more than a few millimetres.
Water or electric
With warm water underfloor heating systems, heated water is pumped around the property via a series of pipes embedded in the floor. Warm water systems are ideally suited to larger properties or those with lower levels of insulation, due to their higher heat output. These systems can be paired with renewables such as an air or ground source heat pump.
Electric underfloor heating consists of cables which are laid over the floor deck. These systems and kits are perfect for installation in small areas like bathrooms. They heat up quickly, but don’t retain the heat as well as warm water UFH.
Floor Coverings
Underfloor heating frees up wall and floor space allowing you to have greater freedom with interior designing your property. UFH systems are invisible as they're hidden below the floor, making them ideal for open plan living.
Different types of wood and laminate differ a lot in their density and thickness and thus in their thermal conductivity. The denser and thinner the material is, the more efficiently it transfers heat and so the better option it is to go with underfloor heating.
Efficiency
Underfloor heating systems are particularly efficient because they heat entirely by radiation. Majority of heating systems deliver much of their heat through convection radiators, and which include central heating systems. Cold air circulating through the room heats up as it passes through the radiator. This system is effective but not very efficient as plenty of heat is lost during the transfer of heat.
On the
other hand underfloor heating systems warm up the floor, which radiates heat
upwards, warming the room from the ground upwards. Not only is this more
efficient you will also notice the heat much faster because it heats living
levels before heating the ceiling, unlike radiators.
Underfloor
heating systems are also much more controllable than central heating systems,
which allows you to save power and money by only heating the rooms which will
be in use. Each room in an underfloor heating system has its own thermostat,
unlike a central heating system which is limited by a single, central
thermostat, so you can program your heating room by room.
Health & Safety
Central heating radiators are often causes of dust gathering causing allergies as the dust which collects inside them is transported around the room on the heated air. Underfloor heating does not do this, making it the ideal heating system for allergy suffers.
Families
who have young children can benefit from Underfloor heating as it removes the
risk of injury from falling against or running into central heating radiators
which contain sharp edges. For this reason, underfloor heating is also a
popular choice in homes for elderly or disabled people.
Products we recommend
Quinn Therm QF PIR Insulation Board
For suspended timber floors in particular, Quinn Therm QF reduces heat loss by an air infiltration method, making it the ideal solution for upgrading the thermal performance of existing floors.
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