Our Love Affair With Underfloor Heating
Ease of installation, low running and maintenance costs, compatibility with renewable energy sources and its 'invisible' nature have all contributed to the UK's growing love affair with underfloor heating (UFH).
Anyone who has ever stepped barefoot across a floor with UFH knows just how appealing it is. Suddenly even the coldest of flooring - such as stone or ceramic tiles - can become a pleasure to walk on as well as look great.
How Does UFH Work?
UFH is designed to run at lower temperatures than radiators and will work off virtually any heat source. Since UFH largely delivers radiant heat rather than convective heat, ie heating objects rather than the air, it is possible to run a UFH system at an air temperature one or two degrees lower than a radiator system to achieve the same level of comfort. This leads to lower heat losses from a building. Consumers have the option of warm water or electric systems. Essentially they work in the same way; a heating 'element' warms a radiating device to create an even spread of heat across a floor.
A warm water UFH system is usually the preferred choice for new build or complete renovations as it is easy to install in new spaces. For single room renovations where an existing boiler has spare capacity, a warm water system can be bolted on and linked up to the existing radiator system. Running costs are also considerably cheaper than electric - as a general rule, the running cost of a warm water UFH system is 30-40% cheaper than an electric system. However, for small areas or single rooms, electric could be the more cost effective solution when taking into account capital costs and disruption.
UFH's Compatibility With Renewable Technology
The low average water temperatures of UFH systems make them ideal for use with renewable sources of energy such as ground source or air source heat pumps. Linking a heat pump into a UFH system enables the user to achieve highly economical running costs. Typical efficiencies of up to 450% can be achieved; the figure varying throughout the heating season to reflect the heat loss from a building, ground temperature and the system's design.
A major European report has confirmed that UFH is in fact more energy efficient than radiators. Warm water UFH heating can be up to 30% cheaper to run than radiators.
The Benefits Of UFH
- Because UFH eliminates the need for radiators, it gives total freedom of design and decoration.
- The heat generated is different to a conventional system. It is subtle and comfortable, eliminating significant changes in temperature.
- It is safe. No radiators mean no sharp edges or hot surfaces.
- UFH has proved itself to be significantly more economical than radiators resulting in a higher Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating. SAPs gauge the energy efficiency of a building and is expressed on a scale of 1 to 100, the higher the number the lower the running costs.
A Warm Welcome (case study)
"The warm water UFH system was simple to install and Continental Underfloor Heating's straight forward approach coupled with technical advice really impressed me"
Higher Trethill Barton near Plymouth is a Grade II listed barn, converted by Guy Galpin, a Somerset based designer and developer. Guy places great emphasis on retaining and restoring original architectural features, whilst incorporating the best in modern interior designs and materials. Oak floors were laid throughout much of the 320sq metre property, with limestone flag flooring in the hall and utility areas.
"I chose a warm water system because of the large space involved and decided to run it off an oil-fired boiler. It was the first time I'd used UFH and what appealed to me was not having radiators on the walls and the even temperature it provided," explains Guy. "When people viewed the property the feedback I got was that they really liked the UFH and it definitely proved a positive selling point. The warm water UFH system was simple to install and Continental Underfloor Heating's straight forward approach, coupled with comprehensive technical advice really impressed me. The whole process from ordering to commissioning was hassle free.
I'd definitely use UFH again in future projects and would recommend it to anyone looking for an energy efficient, cost effective heating solution."
For more information log onto www.continental-ufh.com or call 0845 108 7001.
