We all crave warmth, especially during the cold days. Right now, there is an efficient way of heating up your home, and that is the underfloor heating system. In this article, we will guide you in deciding what underfloor heating system you should choose.
The Pros and Cons
Let us take a look first the benefits of the underfloor heating system. There are many benefits that you can get if you have an underfloor heating system and here are a few of them:
- Freeing up some valuable wall space for furniture placement and heat radiates from the floor.
- Distributes the heat evenly, meaning no cold spots!
- It is better for the environment since it is more efficient than radiators.
- Save you on your heating bills in the long run
Of course, having these benefits, there can also be some negative side of it. Underfloor heating though can help you save money; the installation can be a bit costly. There can also be minimal maintenance for the underfloor heating system; however, if you run into issues with it, you will need to rip up the flooring to fix it which is inconvenient for you.
The Two Types of Underfloor Heating
The two main types of Underfloor Heating System are the Water-based and Electric. The water-based heating system works by laying a series of pipes beneath the floor and circulates the hot water from the boiler through these pipes, which is similar to a central heating system.
On the other hand, the electric underfloor heating system uses cables or electrical matting, laid directly beneath the floor and heats it up instantly. The electric underfloor heats up quicker than the water-based.
Wet versus Dry Systems
The electric or dry systems are installed directly under the floor and independently works from your central heating system, making them more useful for one-room installations or when you already installed the sub-floor. The dry heating system shouldn’t cause any problems for the wire are thin (around 3mm) making less disruption to the existing room.
The wet system tends to work best if you embed the pipes in a screed to help dissipate the heat. The wet system is suited to new floor constructions, where the sub-floor can accommodate the pipework and cement screed. It is more likely to use the wet system for new-builds, extensions or if you are doing a renovation
The cost of depends on what type of UHF you get. It will be best that you consult with a professional plumber or a qualified electrician.
UHF: Things to Consider
Here are the things you should ponder in selecting underfloor heating.
- Consider whether you will go for the dry or wet system. Usually, the electric or dry system is cheaper. If you are planning to install it on a small room, then the electric UHF will be the best choice.
- You need to know how much heat is required. Other issues affect the design of the UHF like the heat source, the type, and size, the kind of location, or what screed you will use.
- Invest in a good zone control system. A whole house UHF system will have a separate pipe run to each room or zone. It will give you an opportunity to control the temperature and timing of each area to satisfy the occupancy pattern.
- Choose the right floor covering. The type of flooring can also affect the UFH that you will choose, for instance; if you have a wood type of flooring, it will be less efficient since it tends to insulate the heat. Whatever tile you will use, you should tell the UFH designer so that they can help you which type of heating system to use.
- Have an idea on how much you will have to pay. Typically, the electric UFH is cheaper compared to that of the wet type of UFH. Consider thinking how much you are willing to spend and on which part of the house you want to install the UFH.
- Know when a heat pump is best. The best heat source will vary with the type of screed that you will use. Ideally, it is advised to use a thin screed since it will work best with a boiler or heat pump.
Conclusion
Underfloor heating systems can help you in keeping your home warm especially during winter. It can help you free up some space and more energy-efficient. Take time and plan it well before you select the type of UFH system to use so that you won’t have any regrets about installing one.