Introduction to Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is a widely used heating solution in continental Europe. The underfloor heating systems' many advantages and high efficient operation leading to reduced heating bills help these systems win a growing market share in the UK. The sustems are typically installed by professional plumbers. They are reliable and provide high efficient heating for the home.
Most common are the wet systems (using warm water), though there are also electric (dry) systems available. Pipes are normally buried in the screed, or run underneath the floor surface. The pipes transfer heat from the (slightly warmer) floor into the wider room space, which is more efficient than traditional plumber-installed radiators which transfer heat from a relatively small and very hot surface into a much larger and cooler space (the room).
For more information about underfloor heating, visit the Trade Association for Surface Heating and Cooling
Underfloor Heating Tubes Layout
The water running inside the pipes is normally kept at an average temperature of 45-65c. This is substantially lower than a typical 80c for a typical plumber installed radiator. The plumber installing the underfloor system will adjust the temperature of the floor to be around 25-28c. This is a comfortable temperature to walk on and is enough to radiate heat from the floor upwards towards the room space. Dry (electric) system operate in a similar way, but instead of using water to heat up the floor, the electric heating element is used as the source of heat.
Underfloor Heating System Installation
The plumber will have to take careful consideration of the room layout to ensure smooth and balanced heat transfer across the entire room. Each room is different and a professional plumber will be able to design the right layout to ensure equal heat for the whole room space.
Underfloor heating can be installed by domestic plumbers for your home or by commercial plumbers for industrial and commercial applications. It can be highly useful for applications where exposed heat can be dangerous.
Underfloor Heating Power Source
The heating can be powered by many types of boilers, ground source heat pumps or even solar thermal panels, and your corgi plumber can advise on the best boiler solution for your system. Gas, oil or solid fuels can be used to power up the system, and the best advise is to consult your professional plumber for the appropriate solution for your requirements. Your plumber can further direct you to a condensing boiler that is most suited to your system, as condensing boilers are highly efficient and match well the requirement of the underfloor heating system, thus operating at their most efficient point.
Underfloor Heating Considerations
Your plumber can install the Underfloor heating system at either new property developments or as refurbishment and redevelopment or an existing property. Your plumber will be able to design a combined system that uses both traditional radiators and underfloor heating. For example your corgi registered plumber can design a system that uses underfloor heating system for the ground floor of your home and radiators for the upper floor. Alternatively, the plumber can advise to use wet radiators in specific rooms (e.g. bathroom, toilet). The best advice is to use a qualified corgi plumber that can design a heating system that is unique and bespoke to your needs.
This page has been written with contributions from heating engineers from Essex and plumbers from Milton Keynes. Several of the company's experienced plumbers from London have worked on similar issues as well as some of our Gas Safe engineers from Clapham and our Notting Hill experienced heating engineers.
