Underfloor Heating System
Why stick with the old style of room heating? Underfloor heating is fast becoming a popular alternative to radiators. And with good reason – it is the most comfortable, energy efficient and aesthetic (no radiators) form of room heating you can choose.
Underfloor heating however is far from a new concept, the idea was first used by the Romans who built their homes with voids under the stone floors. Using open fires to warm air which was then fanned through the voids – You’ll be pleased to know however that underfloor heating technology has moved on since then!
Why Consider Underfloor Heating?
Radiators circulate convected heat around the room, resulting in the room being warm near the ceiling, and cold at floor level; creating excessive air currents, losses in ventilation, and a stuffy atmosphere. Underfloor heating, on the other hand emits gentle radiant warmth across the entire floor surface – heating the whole room evenly and eliminating draughts and cold spots.
Why not let Thanet Heating help you banish your radiators and discover a whole new world of design freedom. Whatever type of project you are working on, from whole house systems to single room projects, let us offer you a free no obligation survey.
Underfloor Heating Systems
There are many UFH systems available in recent years we have used mainly Polyplumb underfloor heating systems, these can be fitted directly onto a concrete floor on the Polypipe profile and then screeded over, or on top of a screed or timber floor within a high density profile material that has the channels cut out for the pipework to fit within, a 6mm ply is then fitted over the top to provide a finish for the carpet or flooring.
There is also available a system where sheets of tongue and groove board is fitted which has the channels cut out for the pipework to fit within, the boarding also acts as flooring for the room and in most cases replaces existing chipboard floor section.
With UFH each area is zoned and can be operated independently of other additional areas. The beauty of UFH is that unlike radiators which produce a room temperature by convection UFH produces room temperature by radiated heat in effect you are only heating the first 2 meters of air space from the ground so there is no temperature stratification within the room and the heat is equidistant so there are no cold spots. There is nothing better on a cold evening and taking off your shoes and feeling the heat from a warm floor area.
UFH heating circuits are designed to run at max temperature of 55 degrees C this ensures that timber or tiled floors do not split or crack but still maintain real comfort in your home also because of the low flow temp UFH systems are ideal for air source or ground source heat pump. UFH system controls are very versatile one of the main features is the “night setback” feature this is usually set at 17 degrees C so if the temp dips below that then the control will allow the system to heat up that particular individual area.
The installation of UFH is more complex and involved than radiators, but the end result is fantastic. If your would like any advice on UFH please contact us to arrange a survey.
Solar Powered Underfloor Heating Systems
Due to high efficiency and low energy requirements underfloor heating is ideally suited for solar power.
Independent tests reveal that the most acceptable indoor climate is one in which the floor temperature ranges between 19-29°C and the air temperature at head level ranges between 20 and 24°C. With radiator or convector heating systems a vertical temperature gradient is produced: colder at foot level than at the head.
Underfloor heating has made it possible to reduce energy consumption by using low water temperatures. These systems, now account for over 60% of some European heating markets.
