Why you should consider underfloor heating

In the colder months, keeping warm in a drafty house is often difficult to do. Although you may be tempted to purchase a space heater and make do that way, installing floor heating may be a better option for your home. Under-floor heating is becoming more and more popular and can be powered by several different energy sources. There are several different types available and plenty of benefits to this kind of heating system. Rather than endure the winter months huddled under a blanket, consider the benefits of floor heating.

Different underfloor heating options

This process allows for a heating system to be placed into the floor. This allows warm air to circulate in the home, creating a warm feeling on your feet. There are many methods to doing this, including the use of natural gas, geothermal heat, solar energy, and off-peak electricity. In general, there are three main options that fall under the category of either hydronic or electric. 

Electric floor heating systems

The electric floor heating system is actually the most popular system to date. The popularity comes from two things: easier installation and more places to purchase it from. This kind of floor heating uses electric cables to distribute heat from the underside of your choice of flooring. The heat rises through the flooring, keeping your feet nice and toasty. If you get an electric bill, this floor may work for you, but it may not be such a good choice if you are using a pre-paid meter.

The main forms of electric floor heating systems that are used are in-slab and in-screed. In-slab is exactly what the name suggests. The cables are stored in slabs, and the slabs are heated, driving the heat to the surface. In screed heating systems actually use slabs as well, but the cables are tied around them instead of being run within them like the in-slab systems.

Hydronic floor heating systems

The hydronic floor heating system uses hot water instead of electricity to warm the floor and the room. The water is heated in the boiler and then distributed through a slab system under the flooring. This is much more economical to run since the system uses gas instead of electricity. Just like the electric floor heating system, the hydronic floor heating system uses an in-slab or in-screed heating method.

The one thing you don’t have to worry about with either floor heating system is mould or allergen buildup. The cables, cords and tubes are fully closed in, so there’s no chance of condensation or steam escaping them and causing mould to form under the flooring. Both systems are relatively quiet, so you won’t even hear them running, but perhaps the best news of all is that they are both relatively economical to run during the winter as they heat up quite quickly (although the electric floor heating system is much faster).

Benefits

Comfort

One of the biggest advantages of floor heating is that it helps you more evenly distribute a comfortable level of heat throughout the rooms of your house. Instead of pushing heated air through your home, floor heating systems produce an even heat that naturally rises to the ceiling, thus ensuring that the whole room is at a perfect temperature. Using wall-mounted thermostats and special sensors, you can heat up any room in as little as 30 minutes.

A healthier home 

Those who suffer from allergies won’t need to worry about a heating system that kicks up dust mites or recycles stale air and redistributes it around the house. Underfloor-heating avoids all of this, meaning it will not contribute to any hay-fever or allergic reactions.

Affordable 

Believe it or not, floor heating systems are actually much more affordable than they sound. They can run off of any type of energy, whether its electricity, gas or solar power. Additionally, floor heating systems run very efficiently, only needing a small amount of energy in order to maintain the proper temperature in a room. Find out how much underfloor heating costs in our guide here.

Aesthetics 

Another great benefit of floor heating is that it’s completely hidden from the casual eye. Rather than having unsightly pipes or vents popping up all over your home, floor heating is concealed within your floorboards or your home’s foundation. It makes your rooms look more appealing and also gives you the freedom to decorate easier without the need to worry about whether your furniture will block a vent or heating element.

Flooring options

The use of a heating system in your home is an excellent one, and it is not nearly as complex as many think. In fact, this type of flooring can be used under many types of flooring very safely. Once the floor covering is removed and the new system is put into place, you can use virtually any floor covering on top, including:

• Polished concrete
• Carpeting
• Natural stone
• Tiles
• Timber
• Rugs

Easy installation and maintenance

Under-floor heating systems are usually easy to install and keep running. Under-floor heating can be installed as your home is being built or retrofit into older homes. This heating source does not interfere with floor plans, does not take up any of your precious square footage in your home, and is easy to maintain over a long period of time. 

Is it right for the whole home?

If it is being installed whilst building a new home and it will be used as your primary heating source, then it is absolutely right. Installing it throughout the entire home will help save you money, as an installation company can come out and install the whole lot at once. If you are renovating, there is nothing stopping from you putting floor heating into only certain rooms if you wish. When renovating your bathroom, it is ideal. However, in order to save money, it is best to leave it out of unnecessary rooms such as the laundry etc.

Insulation 

It’s a good idea to have insulation installed with your underfloor heating system, so you can increase its efficiency. It will also lower the operating costs of heating. During the heating installation process, you can also have insulation fitted. It’s beneficial to install it in your roof and walls, too. An insulation expert can assist you in determining the correct insulation for your needs. Your local council can also supply you with recommendations.