The Pros and Cons of Underfloor Heating
By Kath / October 21, 2021 / No Comments / Home
It’s easy to see why so many homeowners consider underfloor heating an attractive investment. After all, who wouldn’t want to walk on a warm floor during the chilly winter months? Plus, an effective underfloor heating setup can replace your radiators. This creates more space, improves safety and reduces power consumption.
There are various underfloor heating solutions available today, so an informed decision is key. You need to consider installation and maintenance costs, along with factors such as the differences between wet and dry systems. Let’s start by discussing the reasons for choosing underfloor heating over traditional solutions.
Benefits of Underfloor Heating
Of course, the main draw of having consistently warm floors is being able to walk around barefoot throughout the year. It adds a cosy feeling to each room and makes getting out the bath or shower far more pleasant. Here are a few other advantages of underfloor heating:
- Consistent and even heat distribution
- Entirely concealed below ground
- Lower electricity bills
- Reduced heat loss means less waste
Another benefit of underfloor heating is that it can eliminate common health threats like dust mites. Since household pests can’t tolerate warm surfaces, you won’t have to worry about dealing with allergies or infestations. Finally, it can be installed under almost any material, including stone, tile, wood and even carpet.
When doing any kind of flooring job, it’s important to work with an industry expert who will ensure that it is carried out correctly. You can head over to aflooringboutique.co.uk to explore their fit and supply services.
Drawbacks of Underfloor Heating
While underfloor heating is certainly useful, there are some concerns to be aware of. This begins with the cost, which is relatively high. It’s safe to assume that you won’t recuperate your initial outlay any time soon. The installation process can be onerous when working in an older building. You might need to remove or rearrange some furniture and fittings, depending on their size and weight. An underfloor heating system is also slow to warm up. Granted, this problem can be solved by simply connecting a timer.
Types of Underfloor Heating
There are two main types of underfloor heating, namely electric (dry) and water (wet) systems. You can find information on the differences online or from specialists. As for electric solutions, three different options are available:
- Loose wire systems for tile floors
- Matting for stone surfaces and large spaces
- Foil mats specifically for laminate flooring
With wet systems, there is only one type. It connects to your boiler or central heating system via a series of pipes that run hot water beneath your feet. You won’t have to worry about leaks, though. The system comprises entirely of uncut pipes, which means there aren’t any joints and therefore no gaps for water to escape. However, your boiler or heating system might require regular maintenance to function efficiently. Before the arrival of the winter season, it is advised to contact a service provider like Albert Culver company who can perform the necessary checks and repair any faulty heating system.
So, should you pull the trigger on an underfloor heating system of your own? At the end of the day, only you can decide. Keep in mind that retrofitting in an existing space costs more than new home installations. In any case, the investment can pay for itself given enough time.