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Electric Underfloor Heating and Its Advantages Over Wet Underfloor Heating

Jun25
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

As people become more conscious of how they use electricity, underfloor heating systems are becoming more and more popular. They are quiet, efficient, economical and environmentally friendly, and they heat much more evenly than traditional heating systems. They heat the entire floor from underneath, which basically turns the floor itself into a radiant heater. Because of this, underfloor systems can operate at much lower temperatures than other heating systems. They also do not make use of combustion, so they are better for the environment. In addition, they do not produce drafts and they keep the floors warm on even the coldest days.

One of the most popular types of underfloor heating is electrical underfloor heating. This type of underfloor system is installed using some type of radiant heating system, generally either individual heating cables or mesh mats with the cables woven into them. These mats or cables are connected to the main power system of the house and controlled by a thermostat. The system is placed on the subfloor and covered by the main floor. Almost any type of flooring can be used with an electric underfloor heating system, including laminate, tile, most types of wood and even some types of carpeting; however, this type of system works best with flooring material that warms gradually and conducts heat well.

Electrical underfloor systems have many advantages over systems that use pipes and hot water. First, they are much simpler to install. Water systems require installing a system of pipes under the floor. This usually requires the help of a plumber, and it raises the floor by several inches. In addition, hot water underfloor systems require extra equipment such as a boiler, a pump, a pressure reducing valve, an air separator and an expansion tank. These things can make water systems very expensive. In contrast, electrical underfloor systems require no equipment other than the mats or cables themselves, they can be installed with only a minimal amount of electrical knowledge, and they only raise the floor by an eight to a half of an inch.

Electrical systems also require much less maintenance than water, or hydronic, systems. Hydronic systems require regular monitoring of the boilers and pumps to ensure that these components are functioning properly. In addition, there is a danger of pipes breaking and leaking with a hydronic system, especially when there are extremes of temperature. Electrical systems, on the other hand, never leak and are designed to require no maintenance at all. In addition, electrical systems heat more evenly. Water has a tendency to cool the further it gets from its heat source, so hydronic systems can sometimes have hot and cold spots. This doesn’t happen with electrical systems because the cables themselves are heated.

Other advantages of an electrical system include more control, quicker heating times and less noise. In hydronic systems, it can be difficult to manage the temperature because the water is heated until it becomes a vapor, whereas electrical systems are easily controlled through the use of a thermostat. Hydronic systems can take a very long time to heat a room, while electric systems warm up much quicker. Finally, the boilers and pumps needed for a water system can be very noisy, but electrical systems are completely silent. When taken together, these advantages make an electrical underfloor heating system much more desirable than a hydronic system.

UnderFloor Heating vs Radiators

Jun15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Wall hung radiators have been the standard form of heating homes for many years. However, under floor heating has now become so popular that many home owners are left wondering which would be the preferred option for their particular needs. Ultimately the choice of under floor heating vs radiators is a matter of individual choice once the facts about each system are understood.

Radiators

Wall hung radiators are normally placed one to each room. If a room is particularly large it may necessitate fitting two radiators, but this would be determined by working out a heat loss calculation.

Radiators are heated by hot water circulating through metal pipes in the walls and ceiling. This results in warm air around the radiator circulating up and out into the surrounding air.

Circulatory problems in the water heating the radiator can cause a loss of heat. Raising the temperature gauge to overcome this will naturally increase the amount of electricity or gas used and raise the cost.

The placement of a radiator within a room means it limits the placement of furniture. Any large object close to it’s source of heat will automatically block the convection air heat.

Radiators tend to attract dust and dirt, and some people find there intrusion in their rooms limits their creative flair in designing the outlay of their living space. Radiators have, however, been an extremely successful way of keeping homes warm for many years.

Under Floor Heating

Under floor heating can be operated at a fairly low temperature, which helps to reduce the cost. Heating cables or mats are installed between the sub floor and floor covering and the elements are connected to the domestic electricity supply.

This method of heating can be installed under most floor coverings.

Under floor heating is considered to be a much cheaper option, as very little heat is lost using this system. The evenly distributed warm air rises up from the floor and as it ascends loses only two degrees of heat for every two meters it travels.

From the aesthetic point of view of course under floor heating is non obtrusive and allows for much more flexibility when it comes to décor.

People who suffer from asthma or have allergies find that under floor heating helps to alleviate many of their symptoms due to the fact that this system reduces the water content in the air upon which dust mites and other floating bacteria rely upon to survive.

Under floor heating, once installed, will require less maintenance than wall hanging radiators, and is considered to be more eco friendly.

The heat from radiators automatically rises up to the ceiling leaving the lower areas of the room colder. Under floor heating warms the whole room as the heat rises up from the floor.

Under floor heating vs radiators is ultimately down to individual choice. If you’re looking to reduce your electricity bills, then under floor heating would be the best option. Relatively maintenance free and unseen, this type of heating is becoming more and more popular.

Advantages Of Electric Under Floor Heating

Jun15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

For most home owners central heating eats into their household bills. The advantages of electric underfloor heating make it possible to reduce your heating costs considerably. The main reason for this is the fact that with this type of heating the warm air is evenly distributed throughout the room, which allows you to reduce the temperature by a few degrees without losing any of the warmth.

Radiators heat from the ceiling down, create a stuffy atmosphere and much of the heat tends to be lost through windows, ceilings and walls. This means of course that your money is literally disappearing into thin air! They are expensive to maintain and take up valuable space in a room which could be utilized to create a more pleasant layout.

Under floor heating has no maintenance costs and is extremely efficient in keeping every area within a room at the correct temperature. Each room can of course be adjusted to produce the required amount of heat, which means it’s possible to cut down your costs further in areas that are less used.

It’s not necessary to dig up floors or take up floorboards when installing electric under floor heating. The whole operation can be fairly unobtrusive within your home and can be done in a relatively short space of time.

Another advantage to be considered is the fact that this type of heating system can be installed in just one or many rooms. This allows you to add to individual rooms to suit.

Central heating often causes allergies as the hot air tends to be a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites and various other spores that float about the atmosphere.

Electric under floor heating reduces the moisture level in the atmosphere upon which dust mites in particular need to survive. This reduces the risk of allergies becoming a problem, and creates a cleaner and environmentally friendly home.

There is no doubt that any cost effective method of heating is an important issue. This, coupled with the fact that your rooms are heated more efficiently, with less danger of bacteria emanating from damp floors, makes under floor electric heating a great alternative.

Many people find the fact that they can eliminate radiators from the room is another bonus. Walls free of these cumbersome objects make it easier to create an attractive décor and enable you to rearrange the furniture to suit your mood.

Under floor heating warms the entire floor area which helps to reduce our body’s heat loss but at the same time doesn’t over heat the surrounding air. By warming a large area at a low temperature, your heating bills will be reduced, but the efficiency of your heating increased.

There’s no doubt that under floor heating is becoming more popular. The advantages of electric under floor heating cannot be over stated. It’s a clean, efficient and allergy free system which will add to the value of your home. It’s environmental advantages are gradually making it the most wanted heating system on the market today.