If you are looking for home improvements which are stylish and improve the energy efficiency of your home, it is worth giving some thought to underfloor heating.
There are a number of advantages to underfloor heating systems, including that you will not have radiators cluttering up your interior design scheme.
You are also likely to see your utility bills fall after installing underfloor heating, certain types of which are perfect for use with green energy sources.
Builders and property developers have already cottoned on to the desirability of this type of product and it is not uncommon for it to be installed in new homes, but don't worry if you live in an older house, as a specialist heating engineer will be able to retrofit it in most properties.
What type of underfloor heating should you choose?
There are two types of underfloor heating available - electric and water.
If you are only planning to install the system in one room, the best solution may be an electric mat placed under the floor covering.
However, if you want to use underfloor heating throughout your home, a water-based system will be the right choice. This will involve a network of pipes being embedded in the screed or underneath the floorboards to carry the hot water which will provide the heat.
An experienced heating engineer will be able to recommend how best to install the system, depending on the type of property you live in - but you will need to give some thought to the kind of flooring you want on top of it.
The technology works particularly well with tiled floors, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens, and suspended wooden floors. Underfloor heating will also work with solid concrete floors, but you may find rooms take longer to heat up.
One other thing to consider is heating controls. You will need the ability to adjust the heat in each room individually, so you may require a number of wall-mounted thermostats. A specialist underfloor heating engineer will be able to advise you about the most suitable controls for your home.
Do underfloor heating systems have energy-efficiency benefits?
One of the main reasons people choose to install underfloor heating systems is that they can help to reduce energy bills.
A good underfloor heating system will only need the water to be at a temperature of around 45°C, where as a normal radiator-based system requires a minimum of 70°C.
As the water does not need to be heated to such a high temperature, less energy is used, resulting in a cut in the property's carbon emissions and heating bills. Manufacturers of underfloor heating systems suggest that bills can fall by 40 per cent, while independent estimates put the figure at between 15 and 40 per cent.
The technology will work with most boilers, but you may find that combining the installation with switching to an A-rated high-efficiency condensing boiler will provide you with the biggest savings.
Underfloor heating systems are also ideally suited to working with renewable energy sources, such as ground and air source heat pumps.
Solar heating systems work particularly well with underfloor heating. It is possible to set up such systems so that water for underfloor heating is taken from the lowest part of the thermal store, which means the water is largely heated by solar energy rather than the boiler - helping to further cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
Lifestyle benefits of underfloor heating
Many people prefer the look of underfloor heating, as it means they do not need unsightly radiators. This leaves the walls clear for your choice of decoration and gives you with more freedom for arranging your furniture.
Underfloor heating also provides more even heat throughout a room than radiators, which means people are comfortable at a slightly lower temperature, helping to give a more natural feel to a room.
There are some health benefits associated with using underfloor heating systems, which reduce the moisture levels in a property and make conditions less hospitable for dust mites. This can help to improve the quality of life for people with asthma and other breathing conditions.
How can Rated People help with your underfloor heating installation?
One of the trickiest parts of any home improvement project is finding reputable tradesmen, but using Rated People can make the process of choosing the right heating engineer to install your underfloor heating system much simpler.
All you need to do is register with the site and post details of the work you want undertaking - this will not cost you anything.
Rated People will then introduce you to up to three suitable local tradesmen interested in providing a quote for the job.
You can then use the on-site reviews from fellow Rated People users to help decide which of the tradesmen is best for the job.
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