Underfloor Heating - The Pros & Cons that you haven't considered yet!
Underfloor heating is a cleaner, smarter way to heat your home. Using radiant heat technology the system gently warms the people and objects in the room, from the ground up.
If you’re thinking about installing an underfloor heating system as part of your renovation project, you may have questions or concerns about whether this is the right solution for you. Take a look at this comprehensive guide to underfloor heating systems.
Underfloor Heating Pros:
- Energy Efficient.
- Ease of installation.
- Effortless to Run.
- More Space & Design Freedom.
- Works with all floor coverings.
- Safe and comfortable.
Underfloor Heating Cons:
- Installation Cost.
- Installation Time.
- Floor Hight Issues
Pros:
Energy Efficient Heating. There are two kinds of underfloor radiant systems, electric and water systems. Water systems work by heating a network of water filled pipes whereas electric systems use a series of cables. Traditional radiators need to be heated to a high temperature in order to heat the room effectively, usually to between 65-80 degrees. Comparatively, underfloor heating systems only need to heat up to a temperature of 29 degrees or less, depending on the flooring finish. Less heat needed, less energy use and a nice reduction in your heating bill!
Ease of installation. These systems boast blisteringly fast installation times with new builds and renovation projects taking as little as 1-2 days depending on the scope of your project.
Effortless to Run. A major upside, besides the low running cost, is maintenance or lack of it! Electric systems will not need regular servicing & the water controlled systems will require very minimal checks.
More space & Design Freedom. With underfloor heating systems, you can enjoy the space you have without cumbersome radiators in the way. Even the top level, ultra modern radiators will take up some space.
Safety and Comfort. When you have underfloor heating you can forget about sharp edges and hot to the touch metal surfaces. Young family members can safely play without worry because the heating system is tucked away.
Cons:
Installation time. Some electric underfloor heating systems require the application of a self levelling compound so you should factor in the time taken for this to dry, usually 1-2 days. This coupled with 1-2 days install time, you should be looking at a completed job within the space of a working week.
Floor Height. When retrofitting, raising floor levels when the ceiling height is fixed, may be a cause for concern. However, there are now products on the market that will have a minimal effect. Make sure to ask your contractor about this before the job begins.
Installation Costs. Electric systems offer rapid installations with some rooms taking as little as 1-2 days from start to finish. The price of the installation will depend on your selected installers fee and the size of the room, you will also need to call in a qualified electrician to connect the system to your power supply. The best way to do this is by selecting a reliable company that can take care of every aspect of the project - Hertfordshire Installations is your safest bet! Water based systems will take longer to install because they are slightly more complex. This will mean that wet underfloor systems will cost more to install but with a slightly lower running cost, you can offset that extra install fee over the systems lifetime.