It is not surprising why so many people choose to have underfloor heating installed in their homes. As well as being space-saving, it can also deliver significant energy and carbon emission savings. This becomes increasingly noticeable when you compare it to other forms of heat emitters. However, as with most other things, underfloor heating can also have it’s disadvantages, and whether or not it is for you will completely depend on you and your choice of lifestyle.
What is underfloor heating?
The warm water from the boiler system is circulated through continuous lengths of pipe embedded in the floor, each room has its own circuit. All circuits are connected to a distribution manifold. With each room having its own circuit, the process behind temperature control is quite simple. A thermostat is fitted in the room and connected to an electrically operated valve on the circuit serving that room.
What are the advantages of underfloor heating?
One of the reasons why many people decide to have underfloor heating installed is so that they can have the flexibility and room space to decorate how they wish. Another positive attribute is that an underfloor heating system can be suited to almost any type of flooring.
A further advantage is that you will not hear any unusual noises coming from the room, unlike radiators that can sometimes make sounds when switched on or off. This is an additional comfort, as you will not have to worry about avoiding hot radiators and you will hardly notice the under floor’s heatings presence.
A noticeable problem with radiators is that they are not very good for the air in the house as they tend to dry it out. You will not find this with underfloor heating and will notice the difference to the overall well being in your home. Underfloor heating is also beneficial for allergy and asthma suffers as it has a balance of convection and radiation which minimises disturbance.
What are the disadvantages?
Although underfloor heating is great for saving lots of space in the home, and is a positive step forward in terms of energy saving, as with anything, there are some disadvantages to having underfloor heating.
For one thing, in order to do a complete installation, you will have to be mentally prepared for widespread chaos. Imagine that your whole house will have to be turned upside down in order to get the system installed. Some people find this easier to deal with than others. If you want full insulation in the floors, then be prepared for a complete rebuild.
Perhaps one of it’s most frustrating qualities is the amount of time it can take to heat up, especially if the pipe is embedded in a solid floor. All of this will usually depend on what type of flooring you have. For instance, if you have a wooden floor in your home, you could be looking at a 30 minute waiting time for it to warm up, whilst concrete could potentially take many hours. If the heating up period takes time, be prepared for an equally long cooling period. It all depends on individual preferences and whether or not you can put up with this. Some people simply adjust better than others.
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about commercial boilers, plumbers, plumber Woking, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.





