Underfloor heating is one of the most energy efficient methods of heating any building. Although for many this type of heating is a new concept however its history has been traced back at least 2,000 years to the Roman period and possibly to the great civilisations of the Indus Valley, before that. The Romans relied on an innovative system of flues and ducts, to circulate hot air (heated by an open fire) beneath the floors of buildings. As heat rises it then provided the perfect way to heat the rooms above. Thankfully, modern underfloor heating systems do not require an open fire; however they do operate on a similar fundamental principle. Unlike a system of central heating radiators or convection heaters (which create a vertical temperature gradient in a room, colder at the bottom and warmer at the top), an underfloor heating system circulates a greater proportion of its heat by radiation, rather than convection. Radiant heat energy is absorbed, or reflected, by the walls, ceiling and furniture in a room, to provide even heating throughout. Furthermore, the absence of convection currents in a room prevents the circulation of dust which can be of benefit to those suffering from respiratory ailments or allergies.
Types of underfloor Heating
The two basic types of underfloor heating are "wet" systems, which, unsurprisingly, involve hot water heated by a boiler, and "dry" systems, which involve electricity (and are not connected to a boiler). Wet underfloor heating systems require a series of pipes (typically forming a continuous loop between two central manifolds) which are laid onto the sub-floor at the time of construction or renovation before the final surface of the floor is laid. Hot water (typically at a temperature of between 40°C and 60°C, and therefore cooler, and more economical, than a traditional radiator) is circulated through the piping system. Wet underfloor heating systems are suitable for new builds or complete renovation projects and extensions. Conservatories for example, which typically have large windows, and limited wall space, can be an ideal location for a wet underfloor heating system. Generally speaking, the larger the area of your home that is heated by wet underfloor heating, the more economical it becomes- as little as £15 per square metre, or less, in some cases, and it is particularly economical as the primary heating source in a home.
Dry, or electric underfloor heating, on the other hand, is available in the form of basic heating cables, woven mats, flat, or "ribbon", cables, and heating films of carbon, or aluminium. The cables, mats, or films are connected together, and linked to a thermostat, possibly a timer, and mains power supply, via a standard electrical supply. This form of underfloor heating is therefore far more suitable for small or single rooms such as a bathroom and where refurbishment needs to be achieved without digging up the existing floor or one room at a time. With a cost, per square metre, typically between £15 and £25, electric underfloor heating is economical as well as convenient to install and its running costs are comparable to wet underfloor heating.
Benefits of underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is optimally positioned, thermally, to heat a space with maximum efficiency. Heat energy is radiated from the floor upwards so you experience the heat as it rises in the first instance, rather than heating the space immediately below the ceiling and wasting heat. Furthermore, the larger surface area of the floor compared standard radiators, means that the heat output per unit area can be lower, in turn lowering fuel costs and the "carbon footprint" of your home as a whole. The nature of the radiant heat produced means that the surfaces in a room rather than the air surrounding those surfaces are heated, so the air temperature in a room can actually be 2°C lower, whilst still providing the same level of even heating comfort.
Underfloor heating is of course hidden beneath the floor and is therefore unobtrusive as well as invisible. This frees wall and floor space previously occupied by radiators and allows you to design the interior of your home and position you furniture exactly how you want it.
Underfloor heating is especially suitable for cold stone or tiled floors in bathrooms, conservatories or kitchens, but is by no means limited to those applications. Underfloor heating of one form or another, nowadays, can be incorporated beneath almost any flooring type including laminate, or engineered wood, carpet or linoleum and so offers possibilities for any room of the house.
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