The key is to keep the underfloor heating on but operating at a lower temperature during the night and other times throughout the day when it is not needed. Leave it on low even if you are leaving the house to go to work or out for the day.
The most economical way to run underfloor heating is to ensure the temperature isn't set too high. As a rule of thumb, it's best to set living areas, such as living and dining rooms, to 21ºC and bedrooms to 18ºC.
Running your system from 9am to 11 pm will def cost you more. Besides the obvious ie house size, desired temp, insulation, glazing etc. etc. that influence the heating costs, the amount of time you run the system will have a significant impact on costs.
The best compromise is a timed system to come on about 2-3 hours before the heat is required and then a room stat to turn it off when the room is up to about 20 C and them it will keep on rising for another hour or so. They are very difficult to control.
Water-based Systems: Often considered the most efficient way to run underfloor heating, water underfloor heating systems circulate hot water through pipes installed beneath the floor. This method can be integrated with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, advancing its eco-friendliness.
It is a good idea to leave underfloor heating switched on constantly during the colder winter months in particular. By leaving the underfloor heating system turned on, better levels of efficiency and faster warm up times will result. Basically, your home will heat up to a comfortable temperature faster.
You can rest assured that leaving an underfloor heating system on all day long without causing any unwanted problems or damage to the system.
It's generally not necessary to turn off underfloor heating at night if you have a programmable thermostat. Lowering the temperature during inactivity or sleep can save energy.
The best water temperature for in-floor heating generally ranges from 30°C to 45°C (86°F to 113°F). This temperature range efficiently heats the space without overheating, ensuring comfortable ambient temperatures and optimal energy use.
Get your system serviced. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensuring the efficiency of your underfloor heating system. A well-maintained system operates optimally, using less energy to provide the same level of comfort. Schedule professional servicing at least once a year to clean, inspect, and balance your system.
Yes, underfloor heating has a few disadvantages, such as higher installation costs, longer warm-up time compared to radiators, and potential restrictions on furniture placement.
Benefits of Turning Off Underfloor Heating in the Summer
Moreover, operating your UFH system continuously during the summer may incur higher maintenance costs and strain the system, reducing its lifespan.
Different brands of electric underfloor heating don't really affect running costs – that is, if the output per square metre is the same. But remember, the main driver to running costs will be the thermostat programme and the amount of insulation of the floor build up (and within your home).
This is typically somewhere between 21°C and 27°C. You should also take into account how many people in your household might use a particular room regularly and for what purpose. As a general rule, it is recommended you set your underfloor heating manifold to within a temperature range of 35°C - 45°C.
Basically, your home will heat up to a comfortable temperature faster. So, whilst it won't necessarily be cheaper to leave your underfloor heating on for a sustained period initially, it could lead to long-term savings.
The best way is to run your heating system continuously through the winter months, using the thermostats in the room to maintain the temperature. This might sound illogical and seem like you would use more energy, but this will actually use less energy than switching the system on and off!
80 to 85 degrees will provide enough heat to warm your entire home, without causing damage to your floors or furniture.
Optimal Temperature Settings for Underfloor Heating
Electric systems can achieve higher temperatures compared to hydronic (wet) systems, but generally, a thermostat setting between 21°C and 25°C works well for both types.
Typically we would recommend setting your Underfloor heating manifold to between 35 and 45°C, which should give enough power to heat your rooms up to a maximum of 25 degrees while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
During the warmer months the system is completely off because the rooms are warm enough even if the floor feels a little cold under bare feet. In the colder months I usually set the rooms to about 19 to 20 degrees when they are occupied and set them to 14 degrees when they are not.
You should see the flame icon on the screen and hear the thermostat click when it switches the heating on. After about 15 minutes you should feel the floor getting warm under the towel. If you do, you know that your underfloor heating system is all good and working as it should.
The key is to keep the underfloor heating on but operating at a lower temperature during the night and other times throughout the day when it is not needed. Leave it on low even if you are leaving the house to go to work or out for the day.
No one wants to be pulling a floor up to replace something that they didn't install that long ago, after all! If you choose UFH for your property, you can expect it to last for around 50 years. Compare that to the average 12-year lifespan of a radiator, and you can see why it is so popular.
The maximum loop length of 110 m must be used in all installations. It is not advisable to make the loops longer than 110 m. The reason for this is due to the head pressure from the pump, the pump used is only capable of pressurising water through 110m of pipe.