Underfloor heating can be an excellent way to keep your home warm. If is great to walk on and the heat is evenly distributed around each area of the room. Add the benefit are claiming your walls back from the radiators, giving you further options for how your room is laid out, what is not to love about this system.

Underfloor heating however, can be very expensive to install and you really need to think about if you will get a return on your investment.

What are the key benefits of underfloor heating?

The heat on your feet when walking around your house and a warm floor getting out of the shower or bath.

The heat is evenly distributed around the floor or each room.

Heating from the floor works at lower temperatures so could save on energy bills.

Your floor will stay warm even if there is a draft or the windows are open.

Claim back valuable wall space.

Installed below your carpets, wood floor, stone or tile.

What are the negative points?

Underfloor heating can be very expensive to install and probably not at all cost effective in old buildings.

Underfloor heating can take a long time to heat up, a timer is essential.

planning considerations with large/heavy furniture if you are considering doing the whole house.

Too small a system may just result in a warm floor but cold room, sound advice is essential.

Which is the best electric underfloor heating or water based?

There are two types of underfloor heating, electric (dry system) or water (wet system).

	Electric	Water
How do they work?	An installation of a network of wires under your floor. You can have loose wired or ready made mats.	A series of pipes linked to your boiler to pump water around the room.
Installation?	Easier than water based and can be done DIY.	No DIY, you need to consult a specialist.
Cost?	Cheaper that water based and simpler.	Installation is expensive.
What changes are required?	Insulation is required below the mats or wires to stop heat being lost below the ground.	Floor levels may need to be raised.
Running costs?	Electric systems cost more to run than water underfloor systems.	More efficient than that radiators but installation is very expensive.

 

If you are considering electric underfloor heating, please feel free to give us a call for some free impartial advice on 01252 917636.