Underfloorheating: Feel Ambient Warmth Throughout

An underfloorheating system can be considered as the most desirable items on a prospective buyer's list, along with power showers and American-style fridges. Using Underfloor heating is beneficial for both new builds and updating existing property. In this article, you will find out the complete information regarding this system so that you can make a choice based on knowledge.

About the System: Underfloorheating system functions by making the floor as a heat emitter .The heating of the room is from the floor up, unlike radiators in a normal central heating system where the emitters are mounted on the wall and the room is, effectively, heated from the ceiling downwards. Besides it also frees up wall space for furniture or decoration. These days, there are two options are available in the market as:
1. Wet system: This system uses hot water flowing through pipes in the floor.
2. Dry system: It uses an electric element.

Requirements: It takes longer time to heat a concrete floor and it also retains its heat for longer when turned off. It works more efficiently and effectively in a well insulated house. The most obvious places where this system can be easily installed are bathrooms and kitchens where traditional tile floors can be cold to walk on, but it can be installed in any room. A thick carpet can easily insulate the room against the very pipes that are trying to heat it and hence buy underlay with a low tog rating and the total thickness with the carpet should be no more than 12mm. And if you have floorboards, make sure that the heat will not distort the planks or crack the varnish.

Maintenance: The system’s pipes are generally guaranteed for up to 50 years, so repairs should be concentrated on the wall fittings and shouldn't mean the floor has to come up if there's a problem.

Cost: It costs more to install underfloorheating than a conventional radiator system and therefore it's more efficient, running costs should be reduced. Wet systems are the most expensive to install than the dry system.

Demerits: The drawback to this heating system is that not all the piping can be installed on all floor types like wooden flooring. Moreover some brands have a relatively slow response time, depending upon the type of flooring.

It should be noted that particular products are designed for specific types of installation and hence an individual manufacturer’s information must be referred to before use.