Underfloor Heating: The Solution To Your Heating Problem
If you have a house with a heating problem, underfloor heating is an ideal property heating solution. Underfloor heating can be installed under your floors in any room of the house to create a better balance of heating where radiators just won’t cut it. While some may worry that underfloor heating running costs are exorbitant, the reality is that underfloor heating is an affordable investment that is more energy and spending efficient in the long term. Here we cover the different types of heating problem you may be experiencing, and how underfloor heating can solve these problems.
Types of Heating Problem
If you find that your house is chilly even when the central heating is running, or that some rooms are heated while others are lacking, there could be underlying issues that are causing it. So what kind of heating problem could you be dealing with? Drafty rooms can be a symptom of poor insulation, which is costly to fix. If you have an older home you may have a variety of issues that simply can’t be fixed without overturning the entire house. A common heating problem is with rising heat making your upstairs rooms too hot whilst your downstairs rooms stay draughty.
Your floor layout and location of your boiler could also contribute to poor heat circulation in certain rooms. Even something as simple as window placement or having a room above a garage can leave some rooms colder than others, and contribute to your heating problem. All the while you’re still paying the full cost of heating only half a home. Underfloor heating can solve all of these problems, making it the perfect property heating solution.
Types of Underfloor Heating
There are two types of underfloor heating, water and electric. Each is a viable property heating solution and have their own benefits, depending on your requirements:
Water Underfloor Heating
Water underfloor heating requires pipes to be laid out under your floors and connected to your boiler system. While the benefits of water underfloor heating are worthwhile for your heating problem, it should be noted that they usually take more skill and time, and therefore money, to install. They can also take longer to heat than electric underfloor heating mats which can lead to periods where you’re still waiting for the heating to kick in. Underfloor heating running costs can be higher with water underfloor heating pipes rather than electric.
Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric underfloor heating comes in wired mats that are simply rolled out and laid down under your floors. Installation is quick and simple, and the mats come in various sizes that can be fitted side by side into a ‘patchwork’ that enables the whole floor to be covered. Electric underfloor heating is arguably the most beneficial for heating problems throughout the home.
Benefits of Electric Underfloor Heating
There are many benefits to electric underfloor heating. Other than being quick and easy to install, they usually take no more than 20 minutes to heat up in the mornings. They can be fitted with a timer and a thermostat that allows you to heat your floors whenever you want to whatever temperature you want, making them highly adaptable to the seasons and gives you better control over your environment. Floors then retain the heat throughout the day instead of radiating up into the rest of the house, making them ideal for chilly downstairs rooms or rooms with little rising heat.
Electric underfloor heating can now be used under a variety of flooring including vinyl, wood, carpet and laminate so there is nothing holding you back from fixing your heating problem. It requires zero maintenance once installed which means no expensive costs lingering in the future, making it a sound investment. Since underfloor heating is all installed under the floors it doesn’t create an eyesore and saves space, unlike an electric plug-in heater which can be unsightly, clunky and expensive.
Underfloor Heating Running Costs
Installing underfloor heating can seem costly upfront, but installation is the priciest aspect of solving your heating problem. When you consider the quick, efficient installation time and how easy to use and maintain electric underfloor heating is, it’s clear to see that it pays for itself in a relatively short period of time. If you have a heating problem in your house you might be tempted to avoid an upfront cost and just turn your radiators up for a short-term solution, but radiators have to work harder to achieve the same heat balance throughout your home and those running costs add up over time. Underfloor heating is more energy efficient, less costly and gives a better distribution of heat over a long time than alternative heating systems. You can use this energy cost calculator to get a rough estimate for how much your underfloor heating might cost.
At Floor Factory we understand the importance of a comfortable home. We can offer the property heating solution you need to keep your house warm and cosy all year round. To find out more about solutions for your heating problem, or to find out more about underfloor heating installation, get in touch with the team. You can give us a call on 01332 986261 or fill out our online contact form.