Electrical Underfloor Heating - The Easy Option
Introduction
Electrical underfloor heating has established itself as the heating system of choice with residential developers in recent times, not least because it is less expensive to install and run than traditional heating systems and is invisible and silent. Electrical underfloor heating can take the form of loose, sheathed heating cables, or heating mats, depending on the shape and size of the space to be heated, the heating output required and the type of floor covering to be used. Both forms are suitable for installation on screed, floating or suspended timber floors and in an adhesive layer beneath tiles, for example, without raising the floor level by more than a few millimetres.
Electrical Underfloor Heating Features, Benefits and Considerations
The state of the housing market in the U.K. in recent years has caused many homeowners to consider increasing the value of their existing home as well as the amount of space available by building a conservatory or extension rather than moving home. Conservatories and extensions present an ideal opportunity for the installation of underfloor heating because the absence of traditional bulky radiators means that the whole of the space can be enjoyed as additional living space. Furthermore, even in areas of high heat loss where heating cables or mats with a heating output of 200W/m2 ("Watts per square metre") may be required, electrical underfloor heating can produce lower running costs than traditional heating systems.
Energy efficiency is a concern in most modern homes and, indeed, Part L of the Building Regulations seeks to improve the energy efficiency of all buildings including existing buildings. Electrical underfloor heating produces comfortable, uniform heating with no localisation or cold spots and can be run at a lower air temperature than traditional radiator systems. Furthermore, radiator systems tend to waste energy by heating ceiling voids and roof spaces first, in doing so also creating an unnatural temperature gradient as far as the human body is concerned. Conversely, underfloor heating heats a room by direct radiation from the floor up. This means that the temperature gradient created is warmer at foot level and slightly cooler at head level, increasing both comfort and energy efficiency.
Natural stone, slate and tiles are waterproof and easy to clean, making them ideal floor coverings for conservatories, kitchens, bathrooms, etc.. They are also highly thermally conductive, storing heat and emitting it slowly and evenly which makes them particularly well suited to use above underfloor heating. Of course homeowners may wish to cover the floors in other rooms of their home with other materials but, with certain caveats, electrical underfloor heating is equally safe and efficient beneath carpet or laminated wood or similar floor coverings. Carpet is an insulator, however and should be chosen such that carpet and underlay have a combined thickness of less than 1" and a combined tog rating of less than 1.5, if the efficiency of underfloor heating is to be maintained. Similarly, laminated wood should have a moisture content of 10% or less and should be installed with proper underlay and without glue, if warping or melting are to be avoided.
Due consideration also needs to be given to the guidelines provided by the manufacturers of floor coverings and underfloor heating systems with regard to safe, efficient operation and, of course, Building Regulations with regard to safe operating temperatures. Wooden floors, for example, may be limited to 26C or 27C, whilst concrete floors can reach 29C and wet areas such as bathrooms can reach 33C. It is also worth remembering that heat from an underfloor heating system travels downwards as well as upwards, so sufficient insulation is required to prevent wasteful heat losses.
Further electrical underfloor heating Information
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