Underfloor heating is an attractive solution to those cold winter nights. Chiswick heating specialists note a rise in installations over the past few years as gas and water bills continue to increase. They save space, otherwise taken up by radiators, and can be considerably more energy efficient. However, there are costs that need to be taken into account, so how do you know whether underfloor heating is right for you?
There are two types of underfloor heating: Electric (Dry Systems) and Water (Wet Systems). Making the decision between these types of underfloor heating solutions will likely come down to the rooms you are looking to install them in and the amount in upfront installation fees you are willing to pay. Both underfloor heating solutions can run beneath carpet, wood, stone, or tile floorings and both are considered by Chiswick heating specialists as more energy efficient than radiators.
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric underfloor heating solutions are installed by placing either a series of electric wires or rolling out heating mats beneath your existing flooring. Less complex and cheaper than water solutions, the easy installation process of electric underfloor heating makes it the most popular solution among consumers. There are drawbacks, however.
Electric underfloor heating systems are more expensive to run than their water counterparts. They are therefore implemented more often in smaller spaces like bathrooms where wires can reach awkward positions and keep heat contained. It is more expensive to heat larger areas with electric underfloor heating, however, it can be accomplished using heating mats.
Everything You Need To Know About Water Underfloor Heating
Chiswick heating specialists advise that water underfloor heating solutions are installed by a professional due to their complex nature. A series of pipes are connected to each other and then to your boiler to allow hot water to circulate through your room. However, when being fitted in an existing room, the floor level may need to be raised to accommodate the pipes and added insulation. This is by no means a small job, and one that comes at a considerably higher price tag than an electric solution. Nevertheless, once the initial installation cost is swallowed, water underfloor heating systems are far more energy efficient than electric ones, and a lot cheaper to run in the first place. This is why water underfloor heating is often used in larger spaces.
- Space-saving alternative to radiators
- Can sit beneath pretty much any type of floor – stone, tile, wood, carpet
- Typically more energy efficient than radiators and therefore cheaper to run. Because the heat is emitted from an underfloor system, it is more evenly distributed than a single radiator and so the system can use water at a lower temperature
Is Underfloor Heating Right For You?
If you are after an energy efficient solution to your heating bill woes that can also save you some radiator space and warm your room in a much more even manner, then underfloor heating is for you. If you are looking to heat a smaller space or for a lower installation cost, then electric underfloor heating is advisable, whereas larger spaces with cheaper running costs should run from water solutions.
Nevertheless, Chiswick heating specialists also warn that there are some downsides to underfloor heating. It can take longer for your room to warm up than radiators, and the costs of installation and running can be daunting at first, but may pay off in the long run.
What Do I Need To Think About?
Before quoting for underfloor heating installation, your Chiswick heating specialist will need to know a few things about the system you are looking to implement. The amount you pay for installation and running will depend on the following factors:
- The type of system you are looking for – electric underfloor heating, or water underfloor heating
- The number and type of rooms you are looking to install into
- The size of the rooms you would like underfloor heating in
- Whether or not you will keep your radiators in those rooms
- Who is going to be installing your underfloor heating