When looking at the most effective way to heat your home, you may be considering underfloor heating as an option. Before deciding whether this would be more effective for you than standard radiator heating, you will want to understand how it works and the installation process. Underfloor heating has become a popular choice due to how it circulates heat around your room more effectively and provides lower running costs that can save you money on your heating bills. Allow us to talk you through the different types of underfloor heating and the benefits you can expect to see from having one of these systems fitted at your property, to help you decide whether it is the right choice for you.
Underfloor heating installation process
Wet underfloor heating works by installing multiple pipes below your floor, connecting these to your hot water system to run warm water through them. The cost of installation will depend upon whether you have a modern or older style of home, whether your floors are thick enough to have underfloor heating installed underneath them, and whether you will need to remove your existing heating system before installation can begin.
How does underfloor heating heat your property?
Whereas radiators heat the air in their immediate vicinity, which rises up to the ceiling, underfloor heating will heat the entire floor level. This will cover the complete surface area, leaving no cold spots and more effectively circulating heat around the room. It will be most effective with tiles or wooden floors as these are the most thermally conductive floor coverings. With wet underfloor heating, because the water is heated to a low temperature, less energy will be used whilst still effectively heating the room in which it is installed. This method is proven to be around 25% more energy efficient than radiators when connected to a modern boiler, or up to 40% more efficient with heat pumps. Running costs are also a lot lower than electric underfloor heating systems.
Why choose underfloor heating for your home?
Energy efficient
Both electric and water underfloor heating operate in a more efficient way to radiators, due to the fact that they operate by directly heating the people and objects in a room, whereas radiators are continuously heating the air around them. Standard radiators will need to be heating to around 65 degrees Celsius to operate effectively, but floor heating only needs to run at around 30 degrees, so you will see a positive impact on your energy bills.
Low maintenance
Once installed, your new system will require very minimal maintenance and can effectively heat your home without requiring any attention. Electric systems do not require regular servicing, but you should have a water-based system checked occasionally to avoid the risk of leaks or any faults developing.
Free up space
You may not have considered the amount of space that radiators take up in your home. With these removed, your walls will be freed up and you will be surprised by how much larger this can make a room feel. Underfloor heating can give you more design freedom and you can choose to utilise this extra space however you please.
You may think underfloor heating is costly to install, but this is entirely dependent on your property and the type of system you want to install, so it is worth consulting an expert before deciding on the right option for you. Our team at Gas Tech Heating are here to help make your decision easier. We can talk you through the pros and cons of underfloor heating for your home, then take care of the installation process if you decide it is the right choice. To speak to us about heating installations or any of our other services, give us a call on 01442 832202 or email info@gastechheatingltd.co.uk.
