| Underfloor heating has many advantages over | | | | timber joists; pipework is laid at 200mm centres |
| traditional radiator heating. Radiators convect heat | | | | with the flooring laid directly on top. |
| into the room, creating rising currents of warm air | | | | Gas heating, especially when coupled with high |
| concentrating at the ceiling level: this type of | | | | efficiency condensing boilers, will have a lower |
| convection heating is wasteful and inefficient. | | | | overall running cost than electric. |
| Underfloor heating operates by radiating heat | | | | Due to the lower operating water temperature of |
| energy into the room at the floor level, gently and | | | | water underfloor heating systems, renewable |
| evenly warming the room: this method of heating | | | | sources of energy - like solar power and heat |
| is cheaper to run than radiator heating by up to | | | | pumps - can be used to great advantage. |
| 20%. | | | | Electric Underfloor Heating Installations |
| In a modern, well insulated room, where heat loss | | | | For new or existing constructions where the |
| factors have been taken into consideration, under | | | | sub-floor is already in place: subject to standard |
| floor heating can act as the primary heat source: | | | | floor preparation, electric heating cables or mats |
| in the majority of cases eliminating the need for | | | | are laid on top of the existing sub-floor; making |
| radiators. | | | | this type of installation very fast and low cost. |
| The major difference between electric and water | | | | In both instances, electric or water floor heating |
| – also referred to as “wet” systems - | | | | systems will generate enough energy to provide |
| is in the construction of the sub-floor. Wet | | | | the primary heating requirements for a new or |
| systems are especially suited to new floor | | | | well insulated building, without the need for |
| constructions where the make-up of the subfloor | | | | additional radiator heating. However, where the |
| can accommodate the pipework and cement | | | | two systems differ is in the running costs: simply |
| screed. For existing floors, where overall floor | | | | put, for hot water systems, gas-heated boilers |
| height can be an issue, an electric underfloor | | | | are more economical to run per KW of heat |
| heating system would be the preferred option | | | | output than using electricity per KW hour to run |
| due to the low profile (3mm) of the | | | | electric UFH. The difference between the overall |
| heating cable: these systems are the ideal choice | | | | lower cost of installation for an electric underfloor |
| for refurbishment projects or wooden subfloors. | | | | heating system with a higher running costs, |
| Other aspects to consider would be the higher | | | | compared to the alternative higher cost of |
| installation cost of a water system compared to | | | | installing water underfloor heating but with lower |
| a typical electric system and the difference in the | | | | running costs, becomes one of length of time to |
| running costs between the two different types of | | | | realize the initial investment of the installation. |
| underfloor heating. | | | | For existing sub-floors, electric UFH will be the only |
| Water Under Floor Heating Installations | | | | practical solution; for new sub-floors the lower |
| For new constructions where the sub-floor is | | | | running cost benefits will always outweigh the |
| planned at the outset: where a concrete sub-floor | | | | higher installation costs over the longer term. |
| is required, the pipework is laid within the cement | | | | For more information on costing your new |
| screed. For wooden sub-floors, aluminium spreader | | | | project click on the water underfloor heating link. |
| plates are laid within the 400mm centres of the | | | | |