A lot of modern homes are built with underfloor heating, and many property owners now include it when they are renovating, but is it worth investing in and can it help save the environment?
How Does Underfloor Heating Work?
Underfloor heating uses radiant heat technology to distribute warm water through pipes placed in a circuit underneath a finished floor in what is known as a hydronic system. It can also be electric, with wires or a heating mat placed underneath a floor. A consistent temperature is reached by using intelligent thermostats, which can be used across a whole property or in individual zones. Compared to traditional radiators, underfloor heating goes from the floor up rather than pushing heat outwards and not always reaching all parts of a room. The heat can be taken from any heat source, including gas boilers and heat pumps.
Pros and Cons
Underfloor heating is considered a modern must-have, and it’s not just because it saves space. It is more energy-efficient, as it gently warms a room and is also low-maintenance, as it doesn’t require annual service checks and doesn’t get air blockages like traditional radiators.
The disadvantages are the costs of installation and the disruption, although this is also the case with traditional heating systems. And if you are choosing to only cover a small space and have DIY skills, you may opt to save money by installing it yourself.
What Is Used to Install Underfloor Heating?
Pipes are often made of copper, as it has high heat conductivity and is both durable and anti-corrosive, although others are made of polyethylene. If using copper pipes, you’ll need to use copper pipe connectors, which are available from many suppliers such as Watkins and Powis.
Pipes are usually laid out in a spiral on top of thermal insulation, which is then covered in mortar to fix them in place. The system can then be covered by your preferred type of flooring, whether that’s wood, laminate, vinyl or stone tiles, before getting a qualified electrician in to install the thermostat.
