Yes, underfloor
The most significant disadvantage of classical floor heating is the “sluggish” response time when heating rooms. The pipes of the heating system are located about 5-10 cm below the top layer, so the heat must first pass through the screed, which is several centimeters thick.
There are many reasons why your underfloor heating could be causing you problems – it could be due to setup, a faulty controller, the flooring or even air that has become trapped in the pipes.
The main risk of placing furniture on top of underfloor heating is that it can block the flow of heat, reducing the system's efficiency and potentially causing damage. This is particularly true for heavy, solid furniture such as sofas, bookcases, and beds, which can create a barrier between the floor and the air above.
How long will an underfloor heating system last? The pipes used for underfloor heating must have a projected lifespan of 50 years, in accordance with industry standard DIN 4726; however over 100 years is entirely possible.
It is true to say that electric underfloor heating is a very simple heating cable and very rarely goes wrong if it is installed and set up correctly. Most issues that do arise can be narrowed down to settings changes on the thermostat or simple electrical or lifestyle changes.
Is underfloor heating worth it for your home? Underfloor heating is a more sustainable way to keep your home warm and cosy. With systems available to suit every budget and all project types and its energy-saving technology to help you save money on your bills, specifying a Warmup system for your home is a great idea.
Floors Not Suitable to Lay Over Underfloor Heating
You can't use solid wood floors with underfloor heating because the high heat can dry them out, causing them to shrink and creating gaps in the floor.
Yes. Carpet works well with underfloor heating, as carpet naturally holds in heat, so you wouldn't have to use as much electricity or hot water in a room with carpet as it will hold the heat for much longer.
Also, when placing items such as dog beds or thick rugs over underfloor heating, you must exercise caution because they can reduce heat distribution, cause discoloration of floor coverings (e.g., carpets), and create hotspots, which can eventually lead to fire outbreaks in cases where carpets are used as floor ...
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.
If your UFH system is not warming up a room, this may be due to a number of variables such as the room thermostat setting, the wider system settings, the flow temperature in the system, or the thermal resistance of your floor covering.
The level of insulation in the room and the floor is probably one of the single biggest factors that will affect the heat up times of your Underfloor Heating.
The most likely cause being a leak and subsequent air bubbles in the system. These are most likely to occur in the pipes between the boiler and the manifold.
If you are researching the feasibility of electric underfloor heating for your home, you may see a lot of examples that simply talk about underfloor heating in bathrooms or kitchens. However, electric underfloor heating can be used within any room, even those with a carpet floor finish.
The higher heat output of the floor may overheat the room, making it uncomfortable. The manufacturer of the floor finish should be consulted to ensure compatibility with the chosen temperature before making any changes to the thermostat settings.
Rugs made with natural fibres are better rugs for underfloor heating than those made with synthetic materials. Some rugs made of synthetic materials can melt if exposed to high temperatures for an extended period.
The best flooring for underfloor heating is one that efficiently transfers heat from the UFH to the surface of the floor. Hard surfaces like stone or ceramic tiles, or engineered wood, offer the best heat transfer as they are the most thermally conductive, but many other options work well.
Moreover, underfloor heating systems help maintain a stable air humidity balance within indoor spaces. Unlike conventional heating methods that often dry out the air, underfloor heating prevents excessive dryness, contributing to a more comfortable and healthier atmosphere.
Both water and electric underfloor heating systems are suitable under vinyl floors. The temperature of the heating system with vinyl should not exceed 27°C.
As UFH designers/suppliers/installers, we would recommend insulation in every case and, not just in the floor. We design systems to produce more than enough heat output to satisfy the needs of any property, however it's the insulation in the property that keeps that heat in where it's required!
Solid wood floors and underfloor heating
It's advised though that underfloor heating does not exceed 27°C with solid wood above it as moisture levels in the wood change. Changes in heat lead to changes in the moisture level of the wood which causes flexing and changing of the solid wood.
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.
An electric underfloor heating system can be three to four times more expensive to run compared with radiators or a wet underfloor heating system. This is because electricity has a higher cost per kWh (kilowatt hour) compared with gas.
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.