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underfloor heating the verdict?
It’s not just the luxury of having warm feet that makes underfloor heating a good choice
domestic services
underfloor heating the verdict?
It’s not just the luxury of having warm feet that makes underfloor heating a good choice
London Underfloor Heating Service
Imagine never having to experience that winter morning dash to avoid walking on an icy floor. Well, fortunately, underfloor heating could make that a reality, and it’s not just the luxury of having warm feet that makes underfloor heating a good choice. It’s also an effective way to heat our homes for less.
So what is underfloor heating, and how does it work?
There are two ways that underfloor heating works; a wet system and a dry system.
- A wet system is a series of pipes that link up to your boiler and pump the hot water around under the floor.
- A dry system uses a network of electric coils which go under the floor. You can either opt for a loose fit wiring system which is ideal if you’re installing the heating in a small, awkward space such as a bathroom. Or a ready-made mat that you can roll out is ideal for larger, open-plan spaces such as the kitchen or lounge. Pace Heating & Plumbing specialise in wet hydronic underfloor systems
Will underfloor heating save energy?
This depends on how good your insulation is. A poorly insulated home is never a good idea but if your home loses a lot of heat then you’re going to severely reduce the effectiveness of any heating system you have installed – underfloor or not.
If the floor isn’t insulated well enough then you’re going to find the heating system will also heat the earth below as well as the room above, which just wastes energy which means higher bills for you.
Regardless of whether you go for a wet or dry system, you need to make sure the areas under the heating elements are well insulated to ensure you get the full benefits.
What are the costs associated with underfloor heating?
Running costs of course vary on room size, how often you have the heating on, which type of underfloor heating you have and how well your room is insulated.
An electric, or a dry system, will cost less to install but cost more to run. If you’re going to go for the water based option then you can expect to pay around a third more than you would pay to have a radiator installed. Of course, if you add this system to a new build then you’re likely to see the installation costs dramatically decrease.
Which flooring does it work with?
Radiant heating is compatible with almost all floor finishes. Pay attention to the thermal conductivity of the floor type when choosing the best flooring to go with your floor heating. Thermal conductivity means how well the flooring material transfers heat from the heater to the surface of the floor. The better, the more efficient heating system you will have.Underfloor heating can be used with a variety of different flooring however, the choice of floor covering will have an impact on how well the heating performs.
Tile and stone are generally the best type of covering. This is because they absorb the heat as opposed to insulating it and let it out at a constant and effective pace.
Wood will reduce efficiency but if you opt for thinner timber then you won’t notice too much of a difference. Solid timer is more tricky as it needs to be left to set for around a month before it can be used.
Carpet can be used with underfloor heating but its essential to make sure that you choose the right type of carpet. You need to make sure that the chosen underlay has a low thermal resistance and the carpet has a hessian back to ensure efficient running of the underfloor heating system.
The verdict?
Underfloor heating is a great way to heat your room evenly and avoid any cold spots that are often associated with radiators. And talking about radiators, having underfloor heating means that you free up a ton of space on your walls because you won’t need them anymore. So from a design perspective it’s most certainly a winning idea.
You may not get instant results
One thing to keep in mind if you decide to opt for underfloor heating is that unlike gas central heating, you won’t feel the effects after just a couple of minutes. The underfloor heating system does take a little while to warm up so it may not suit your needs if you’re prone to feeling chilly or you can’t predict the weather.
That said it is does have many good points that outweigh the one or two negative points that come as standard. For example, it can often be controlled on a room by room basis meaning you don’t waste energy heating rooms that you’re not using.
ENERGY TIPS
Home heating accounts for 61% of average energy consumption. underfloor heating can save up to 15% on heating bills
ENERGY TIPS
Home heating accounts for 61% of average energy consumption. underfloor heating can save up to 15% on heating bills
Underfloor Heat Buying Guide
Can underfloor heating be installed during renovations?
Considering underfloor heating for your home might raise many questions such as cost, installation time, what system to opt for, hydronic or electric and what type of flooring to lay over it and many more.
There are two types of underfloor heating systems; hydronic and electric floor heaters. Both methods are suitable for installation in new builds. The decision of which system to opt for is dependent on the available floor height. Hydronic (or wet) system consists of heating pipes that circulate warm water that emit radiant heat to the floor surface. The construction of the system, including the pipes, raises the floor level more than an electric system. Pace Heating & Plumbing installs and services only water underfloor heating.
If you are considering renovating and including underfloor heating in your project, our home heating advisor can help you to find the best solution for you and your family
How much does it cost?
In principle, wet systems cost more to install but are very cheap to run. Therefore, the installation cost is usually the most costly part. The cost of your underfloor heating will depend on the type of boiler and the size of the area you are looking to install it in.
Underfloor heating systems are very cost-efficient systems to run. They produce even radiant heat throughout the area and provide comfortable room temperature at a lower heat than radiators.
What should I do about installation?
A hydronic system conventionally comprises various components, including a boiler, manifold, mixing unit, actuators, pipework and a thermostat. As mentioned above, installation of a wet system usually takes place when building a new home, but it can also be carried out during a renovation
ENERGY TIPS
The most significant concern raised by potential customers is the inconvenience should the underfloor heating require maintenance
ENERGY TIPS
Home heating accounts for 61% of average energy consumption. underfloor heating can save up to 15% on heating bills
10 Underfloor Heating problems to look out for
Like any busy household in winter, when the heating system malfunctions it throws the household into coldness and chaos. It also means that you spend hours on any given day trying to find an engineer who has the knowledge to fix the problem. If you are having issues with your underfloor heating products, then why not check out our range Common Underfloor Heating Problems below
Although generally highly reliable, there are many reasons your underfloor heating could be malfunctioning. These problems can include anything from incorrect setup to incompatible external components, such as flooring, or something as simple as trapped air in the pipes. This guide discusses how you can diagnose these issues, fix them and, most importantly, prevent them from occurring in the first place.
A solution to the underfloor heating system is not heating up
Is your underfloor heating not heating up? You have noticed that more than one zone or even the whole system has stopped heating up. Call Pace at 0207-183-2727 to schedule a service call
Isolation valves closed on the manifold
this is easy to check. The isolation valve should be in line with the pipes on the manifold. If it isn’t, then it is stuck in the closed position – this is easy to see, as it will be at 90 degrees to the pipe.
Blending valve pin stuck
The actuator is the mechanism that causes a device to operate. The solution requires the removal of this actuator from the affected zone and a check to see that the pin valve is free. You can use a silicone spray to free the pin if it is stuck down.
Boiler issues/ no power on the wiring boards
there could be a problem with signals getting to the boiler, which will require the help of a Pace heating engineer. It could be that the boiler isn’t working at all. As with a central heating system with radiators, this is easy to check if your boiler is working. Call us at 0207-183-2727 to schedule a service call
The underfloor heating pump is working constantly
You will become used to the sound of the pump firing on and off, as you would expect a boiler to switch on when the thermostat demands more heat. Therefore, it is easy to spot when this pump is running all the time and is a clear indication of a problem. You are likely getting heat, but you are also using a lot of electricity, so it is good to call us at Pace to resolve this problem quickly.
Pump relay stuck on wiring board/ faulty thermostat/ underfloor heating actuator problem
All these issues result from electrical problems that will require the assistance of a Pace heating engineer. Call us at 0207-183-2727 to schedule a service. You could try resetting the thermostat, clearing potential errors before making the calling.
Problems with the pipes
Generally, issues with your heating system are often down to the pipes. If your underfloor heating is a wet system, which runs from a boiler, then it could be a blockage or trapped air. Fortunately, these problems can be resolved just as easily as they occurred. You may want to attempt some of these fixes yourself, though if you lack confidence a plumber or heating engineer will be able assist you.
- Blockages cold spots where your system is laid could mean there is an internal blockage. This is unlikely to happen but flushing the system could be the answer. Seek the help of a qualified heating engineer if you think this may be your problem.
- Trapped air is the most common problem with a malfunctioning underfloor heating system, especially one that uses hot water flowing through sub-floor pipe work. Air can get caught up in the pipe and stay there, causing issues with the whole system. You will have experienced this in the past with radiators and you will likely know it is a simple problem to address.
- you can remove the trapped air by bleeding the system. Bleeding is the opening of valves to release air, and some water. This will need to be completed at each valve. If you are unsure how to do this, contact your installation team.
Leaks
If the system keeps losing pressure, it suggests there is a leak somewhere. When the pressure drops, top your system up following the manufacturer’s guidelines. If the pressure stays low, go back a step and check that the connecting pipes to the manifold are in place and not leaking.
The leak may be located on the pipe run. The Pace heating engineer will diagnose the system and find the location of the leak.
Setting controls correctly
It’s vital for the continued health of your underfloor heating system that you set the controls up correctly. Although no major destruction can happen with a simple slip of the controls, continual running of the underfloor heating with the wrong set-up can cause issues.
You should check the following: –
- Thermostat – are the thermostats working for the rooms they’re set up for? Check the connection between it and the boiler by changing the temperature on the thermostat and seeing if the boiler and heating system responds
- Mixing valve – This should be set at 45c for concrete screed floors and 55c for suspended wooden floors to avoid any issues that can be caused by overheating
Noises, clanking and smells
You will likely spot if there is no heat or if there is too much heat. However, your heating system can give off other signs that there are problems that need looking at.
- Noise – underfloor heating is a silent system. There shouldn’t be any gurgling, banging, clicking or any other kind of noises. If you start to notice it seems noisier than what it should be, there could be a problem although most are easily solved. Hearing the water run through the pipes could suggest there is an obstruction or air, which can be resolved with a flush through of the system and/ or bleeding of each valve.
- Boiler noises – boilers can make clinking sounds etc. because they are the mechanical part of the system. Again, you are familiar with the operational sounds of your boiler, and anything out of the ordinary could suggest a problem. You should not attempt to repair a boiler yourself, It can be dangerous to remove the cover of a boiler and begin working with the parts.
- Smells – boilers, underfloor heating or any other kind of heating system should not give off any smells and that includes a gas or fuel smell. If you do smell gas, call the emergency gas number 0800 111 999 and switch off the appliance. Click here for more information on what to do if you smell gas in your home.
How Much Can You Save With Underfloor Heating?
According to the UK Government study, Housing Fact File 2012, home heating accounts for 61% of average energy consumption. Underfloor heating can save up to 15% on heating bills as it operates at a lower temperature. Additionally, there is less heat loss through “transfer pipes” and less overheating of the room. The system provides even heat throughout the room and has the ability to be controlled per zone, i.e. heating on only when required (per zone) by a having programmable thermostat per zone.
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What our customer are saying
Prompt, Thorough and Professional, Pace Heating & Plumbing recently completed the installation of a new condensing boiler and an un-vented hot water tank in our new GP surgery. GREAT JOB they showed up when they said they would. Had everything with them, none of this “have to go back to the shop…”. They did a very neat and clean installation one of the best we have seen (and this is our 4th surgery), filed all of the necessary paperwork for the units we had installed.
“We recently undertook a large project. The project turned out great and was done efficiently and in a timely manner. As always, any service work needing done at our office is promptly looked after with a common sense approach. They are a skilled company who look after their customers”
We have used Pace Heating & Plumbing for many years. They have worked on our own equipment and on equipment at rental properties we own, doing service work and full boiler, water heater, and plumbing installs. Recently at a project we had a new boiler installed for under floor heating along with a new radiator. They are always prompt, friendly and professional, always cleaning up the job site when completed. We highly recommend the Pace crew.
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