Why Under Floor Heating (UFH)

Why Under Floor Heating (UFH)

Many of the people who attend our courses, do so to gain the skills to help them renovate their homes. Like many homeowners recently, lots are now turning to underfloor heating systems. What was once simply thought of as a heated floor in the bathroom, can now be a whole home heating system. The many benefits of underfloor heating systems are hard to ignore and once you’ve stepped out onto a warm floor, there’ll be no turning back. 

Here are some of the main benefits of underfloor heating, which will make you wonder why you’d never installed it before. 

Enjoy more space

Since your heating system is underfoot, you have more space to make your own. No radiators makes way for cleaner lines and if you live in a small house, then you suddenly get more room, minimal clutter and the ability to put the furniture where you want it.

Create separate comfort zones

Having precise control of the temperature in individual zones, throughout your home, lets you manage the temperature of individual rooms every hour of the day. Choose from simple, standard and smart solutions to settle on the level of control that’s ideal for you.

Save on running costs

Underfloor heating provides an efficient alternative to traditional heating methods. By helping to distribute heat more evenly throughout your home it can help to reduce energy costs.

Which System is Best - Water vs Electric?

There are two main types of underfloor heating; water-based and electric. Both are suitable for any home, but here we outline why a water-based system might be the better choice.

Compared to radiators, where it gets colder the further away from the radiator you get, all underfloor heating systems provide a consistent heat throughout the entire floor space.

Electric systems use electrical current to heat a network of heating elements and require continuous power for as long as they’re turned on.

Once up to temperature, water-based systems only require the boiler to make small adjustments to maintain the perfect temperature and help save energy.

Water-based systems use less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature over a longer period, so they’re able to reduce your heating bills.

What’s more, water-based systems are ideal for use with ultra-efficient air or ground-source heat pumps, cutting emissions and helping reduce global warming.

Due to their relative inefficiency compared to water-based systems, electric underfloor heating installations are best-suited to smaller spaces and are generally only used as a top-up heating source.

Water based underfloor heating systems are designed for use anywhere in the home, providing you with the comfort, efficiency and controllability of underfloor heating in every room of your home, big or small.

An energy efficient heating system

If you’re looking to save money on your annual heating bill, then underfloor heating systems should be at the top of your list. Water based underfloor heating systems are among the cheapest ways to heat an entire home, making them a great option for those looking to save money. It could provide a yearly saving of up to 15% on energy bills.

One of the main problems with this is that radiators heat up different areas of the room at varying rates. Typically, the area around the radiator will be a lot warmer than the other side of the room, meaning it’s difficult to strike the right balance for everyone. This often prompts people to open a window, usually located above a radiator, resulting in a lot of wasted energy.

Underfloor heating systems provide radiant heat to warm the room from the floor up, creating a consistent temperature throughout the room, leaving you with cosy, heated floors.

The temperature of the underfloor heating is controlled by a thermostat in the area being heated, so it’s easily controlled and maintained.

Additionally, underfloor heating systems heat up the room at a much lower temperature than radiators (70ºc), typically around half, meaning energy bills will be significantly lower.

Great for allergy sufferers

Underfloor heating is also a great option for those with asthma or allergies. Unlike traditional radiators, which convect air currents, underfloor heating doesn’t move air around the room. This means that dust and allergens are not circulated around the house as easily. Having consistent heat across the flooring means the number of dust mites in your home can be dramatically reduced, making your home a lot more allergy friendly.

Underfloor heating systems can make cleaning your home so much easier if you swap your traditional carpets for tiled or wooden coverings. Heated tiles floors are one of the most hygienic home heating options, so a lot less time will be required for dusting and cleaning.

Whatever style of home you have

Whether your home interior is ultra modern or more traditional, underfloor heating systems suit any style as they’re hidden away, underfoot.

Radiators are often awkwardly placed within the room, taking up valuable space and can look unsightly.

By placing your heating system beneath the floor eliminates the need for radiators, meaning that you’re free to decorate your home exactly as you like, without having to worry about whether your radiators suit your style of home.

How do you install UFH - Is it expensive?

Compared to traditional home heating options, heated floors are one of the best options available. 

They are relatively easy to install, depending on which type you choose. If you’re having an extension, or a self build new home, then having the heated water pipes installed in the floors is your first option. This works out very cost effective as the pay back you earn from reduced running costs will pay for the system very quickly.

Unfortunately, for most of us, digging up the floor to install such systems isn’t feasible, but luckily there’s some retrofit systems available which you can even fit yourself!

We’ve looked at some of the best UFH systems around and now there’s some new alternatives to what was once the only way to install, being to dig up the floor.

If you want an installer to do the whole project, then you’ll probably look at Polypipe Underfloor Heating .

However, for the DIY installer, the simplicity these retrofit  underfloor heating kits from Sole Heat can’t be beaten, in fact, for next year, we’ll be adding it to our Tiling Advanced Course, making it a 2 Day course, so you can learn how to fit both electric and the low profile retrofit system from Sole Heat, which adds just 14mm* height on your existing floor, wether it’s solid or wooden, upstairs, or downstairs. Take a look at their retrofit kit, which uses the unique  Profix retrofit panels  for easy pipe installation.

We’ll be teaching you how to fit this kit on the course, so please Email us to register you interest and get a discount code for £25 off the course**. 

*typical heights are 14mm-20mm, dependant on insulation chosen.

** limited places available