Under Floor Heating
Under Floor Heating
Find out more about the benefits of under floor heating
energy efficiency | geothermal | generalUnderfloor heating is a very efficient way of heating the rooms of a house. It is cheap to install, there are no radiators or heaters on show, there is no maintenance, and the heat is distributed evenly gently warming you. Underfloor heating is very easy to install in a new build property, however it is often difficult (and therefore expensive) to retrofit in an existing property.
With a typical domestic network of radiators, most of the energy is wasted heating the room at ceiling height. By the time that expensively warmed air descends back into the living space, it has already lost a lot heat and it causes draughts. Underfloor heating warms the air just above the floor and that warm air then rises through the living space cooling as it rises. Very little energy is therefore wasted and rooms are heated to make them more comfortable - warm feet and a cooler head rather than cold feet and a hot head.
Underfloor heating systems are either
warm water or
electrical. With warm water systems, water is heated (ideally using a geothermal heat pump) and pumped around a network of thin tubes under the flooring. Electric systems have a low power heating element fitted into tubes which are again fitted under the flooring. While underfloor heating may be new to you, this kind of central heating was actually invented by the Romans to heat their baths:
The Hypocaust
Underfloor heating is most commonly used in bathrooms, conservatories, and kitchens - the rooms of the house which are typically tiled. However underfloor heating can be used throughout a home including bedrooms and living spaces, and it can be covered with wooden or laminate flooring. Efficiency is reduced if underfloor heating is used under a fitted carpet.
One thing that must be considered before installing an underfloor heating system is insulation. It is important to insulate your home well in order to save energy and money on your heating bills - however, this is particulary important with underfloor heating systems. As underfloor heating is mostly radiant heat, little of it will escape through walls and ceilings. But, if the floor underneath the underfloor heating is not well insulated, then there will be a lot of downward heat losses into the ground. The better your home is insulated, the better any heating system will perform for you.
Underfloor Heating Suppliers Directory UK
Article Last Modified: 18:37, 25th Mar 2006
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