Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating offers several benefits that make it a popular choice for heating spaces, especially in new builds and renovations. Some of the key benefits include:

1. Even Heat Distribution: Underfloor heating ensures even heat distribution throughout the room, avoiding hot spots and cold corners that are often found with other types of heating systems.
2. Lower Energy Consumption: Due to the lower temperature required for underfloor heating compared to traditional radiators, the energy consumed is less, resulting in reduced heating costs.
3. Aesthetic and Space Freedom: As there are no visible radiators or piping, the space remains clean and free for other furniture and decoration. This provides more flexibility in interior design.
4. Moisture Control: Underfloor heating can help eliminate moisture as the heat rising from the floor reduces moisture in the walls and air of the room.
5. Reduced Noise: Compared to other forms of heating like radiators, underfloor heating generates less noise, which enhances tranquility in the home.
6. Reduced Dust and Allergens: Since heating doesn’t circulate air, as with radiators or air conditioners, the dust and allergens carried by the air are minimized, providing a healthier environment, especially for people with respiratory issues.

However, underfloor heating requires proper design and installation, as it can be more expensive to install initially compared to other heating systems.

Underfloor heating is a modern and effective heating method that places the heating system beneath the floor, allowing the space to be heated by the warmth radiating from the floor. Here are more details about the technology, installation, and advantages of this system:

1. Types of Underfloor Heating

There are primarily two types of underfloor heating:

• Water-based (Hydraulic): This type involves pipes running beneath the floor that carry hot water from a boiler or heat pump. The pipes are typically placed in a layer of concrete or mortar, and the heat transferred through the water warms the floor and the air in the room.
• Electric: Electric underfloor heating uses cables or heating mats placed beneath the floor, which heat up when electric current flows through them. This type is easier to install and is often used in smaller spaces or individual rooms.

2. Advantages of Underfloor Heating

• Flexible Space Design: Without traditional radiators or other visible heating devices taking up wall space, the room remains more flexible and can be arranged without restrictions.
• Increased Property Value: Underfloor heating can add a sense of luxury and upgrade the property, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters.

3. Installation and Maintenance

• Installation Requirements: Underfloor heating requires significant space beneath the floor and can be more complex to install, especially for the hydraulic system, which requires laying pipes and connecting them to a boiler or heat pump. For electric heating, installation is simpler and quicker.
• Maintenance: Underfloor heating systems generally require minimal maintenance, as there are no moving parts or components that wear out over time. However, periodic inspection and ensuring proper system operation are important for long-term efficiency.
• Installation in Renovations: Installing underfloor heating in existing buildings can be more challenging and costly, as it requires removing the old floor and installing the new system. However, in new builds, installation is much easier and more cost-effective.

4. Limitations and Disadvantages

• High Initial Installation Cost: While underfloor heating can save money in the long term, the initial installation cost can be quite high, especially for the hydraulic heating system.
• Material and Construction Requirements: The installation of the system requires specific materials and construction processes, which can increase costs, and necessary specifications must be followed to ensure efficiency and safety.
• Temperature Adjustment Needs: In some cases, especially in areas with low temperatures, additional heating units may be required to ensure sufficient heating, especially if the house is large or has many external walls.

5. Recommended Spaces for Using Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is ideal for:

• New Constructions: Perfect for new buildings, where the system can be designed from the outset to fit the construction.
• Renovations of small rooms: Can be easily installed in individual rooms, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or smaller areas.
• Large open spaces and high ceilings: Underfloor heating helps warm the space without requiring numerous heaters or large heat sources.

These features highlight the popularity and efficiency of underfloor heating, making it an excellent choice for users seeking efficiency and comfort in their living spaces.

Problems with Underfloor Heating

When it comes to heating a home, the goal is to keep the space warm without wasting a lot of money. We have the solution! This is underfloor heating, which combines both benefits. It’s a heating method with many advantages, but there are also some problems to consider. We’ll discuss them in the following sections.

Underfloor heating consists of pipes that carry hot water. It can work with electricity, a heat pump, natural gas, oil, or pellets, and it heats the floor of the home, not the air, by radiating heat. Additionally, the overall operating cost is significantly lower than other forms of heating, while also providing energy savings. However, underfloor heating is not suitable for every home or every person. Therefore, the space must be properly evaluated to avoid potential issues with the system.

8 Problems with Underfloor Heating You Should Pay Attention To:

1. Health Issues

The ideal temperature for a person to stand at ranges from 19 to 33.5°C. Health problems related to underfloor heating may affect those with venous or circulatory issues. They should be more cautious about using such heating in their homes. However, this problem can be solved with proper system settings. Specifically, the temperature of the pipes should be adjusted by the plumber to 45°C, so the floor temperature felt should be around 25-28°C. This way, any health issues are avoided.

2. High Installation Cost

It’s true that the installation cost of underfloor heating is relatively high, about 30% more than other heating types. However, it’s a long-term investment that will save money on operating costs. If you plan to move in 1 or 2 years, this system may not be cost-effective for you. However, the installation pays off in just 4-5 years, making it quite profitable. The cost is also influenced by the type of installation. Hydraulic underfloor heating costs more, as it performs better. To avoid one of the main problems of underfloor heating, you can apply for the “Save at Home” program, which offers up to 70% subsidy for heating upgrades if certain conditions are met.

3. Flooring Material

Before installing underfloor heating, a detailed study of the space must be conducted to determine how the pipes will be laid. The type of flooring to be used in each room should also be known. There are no restrictions on materials; tiles, marble, or even wood can be used. However, the reason this needs to be considered is due to the thermal conductivity, which varies for each material. For example, in a room with wooden floors, the temperature of the pipes may need to be set lower. Therefore, it’s crucial to account for this in the installation plan. The material itself is not a problem for underfloor heating, but it could cause issues if not planned in advance.

4. Carpets or Rugs

The characteristic of underfloor heating is that the heat radiates from the floor. This means that placing a carpet or rug will block and reduce this radiation. As a result, the space won’t warm up as expected and will require more energy and money. If you care about the aesthetics of the space, however, this won’t be a problem if you inform the technician during installation about where you want to place a carpet or rug. They will install denser pipe layers in those areas so the system performs at its best without excess waste.

5. Waiting for Warmth

One of the main issues with underfloor heating is that the space takes longer to warm up. If you compare it to radiators, which take only a few minutes to warm up, you’ll certainly notice the difference. This is especially true if the supply water temperature is very low. Therefore, it’s common to activate the system by the end of October when the first cold starts, and turn it off when the weather warms up. If you need to leave for vacation, it’s a good idea to have a neighbor activate the system so you’ll return to a warm home. However, this issue is solved with technology as there are thermostats that can be controlled via your phone or set to activate based on your absence.

6. Usage and Location of the Home

Underfloor heating is not always cost-effective in certain cases. One example is if the home where you want to install it is used as a vacation home. If it is only lived in a few days a year, it’s not worth it, as you won’t recover the investment. Similarly, if you’re away from home for many hours every day, it’s pointless to run the system when no one is using it. Finally, if the home is located in an area with rapid climate changes, it may not be cost-effective. The combination of the long warm-up time and potential excess warmth can be problematic in these locations.

7. Thermal Insulation Required

Every heating method works efficiently under ideal conditions. This means that in order to avoid heat loss, underfloor heating must be combined with home insulation. This will help the space perform energy-efficiently. With both investments made once, you’ll spend less on fuel and therefore save money. However, this requires an initial high budget.

8. Limitation of Electric Installation

One of the advantages of underfloor heating is that it can provide coolness during summer as well. This means you can get rid of other cooling devices, such as air conditioning. However, this benefit is only available with hydraulic systems. Electric underfloor heating does not offer this function. Therefore, if you installed the system with this expectation and chose the electric option, this becomes a problem.

We hope you’ve learned everything you needed about the problems of underfloor heating. As you can see, most of them are solvable, so if you need an expert for the installation of underfloor heating, we are here! Register your task on our platform and get quotes from rated professionals quickly and affordably.