Facts About the Pluses of Underfloor Heating Systems

There are many benefits of underfloor heating: there are no radiators to spoil the clean lines of a room, space can be saved by freeing up a wall that would otherwise need to be dedicated to a radiator, and floors are warm underfoot.

Radiant floor heating system is also an extremely efficient way to warm a room, and gives a more pleasant heat than radiators, stoves or traditional solid-fuel fires. The entire floor becomes a "radiator" which emits heat in a very gentle way. There are no cold spots and, as most of the heat is concentrated in the lower part of the room, very little is wasted.

Underfloor heating is mostly used in ground-floor rooms but, in reality, there is a system to suit any type of floor construction. Wet systems are most easily installed where it's possible to take up floors or where new floors are being constructed, so is likely to suit new extensions, conservatories and new open-plan kitchen-cum-living areas. Electric floor heating is likely to be more suitable for existing rooms as the electrical mesh system is flatter than a wet system so there is less need for floor heights to be altered to accommodate it. There are even electrical mat systems available that can be used under rugs on existing hard floors. On balance, it's easier to add electric systems to upper-floor rooms.

There are two main floor heating systems: hot-water (or wet) systems, and electric mat (or wire) systems. Wet systems basically use warm water from the central heating system. The water is pumped through plastic pipes that are laid on to a sub floor, before the new final surface is installed. Underfloor heating of this type also reduces water-heating costs as it uses water at a lower temperature than standard radiators (about 40°C to 65°C to give a floor temperature of between 23°C and 32°C). Electric systems feature cables which are attached to open-weave mesh mats. There are, however, newer types where the elements are embedded into a continuous roll. The mats or rolls are spread out on the floor, connected together and are then linked up to the thermostat and mains power supply. In general, whilst electric systems are cheaper to install, and cause less disruption to existing floor structure, they are more expensive to run than wet systems, which are more cost efficient.

Whatever the type of underfloor heating system is, radiant floor heating allows you to show off your beautiful floors and heat your home simultaneously. Don't cover your ceramic tile, marble, or stone floors with rugs, show their beauty and allow them to give you the heat you want at the same time! The feeling of warmth under your feet when it's cold and snowing outside is like no other.