Bathroom Design Ideas

Underfloor heating that uses water can be used in all types of properties and it is easy to link the system to any heat-source, including central heating systems, solar or geothermal.

Zones

If only part of the home is to be heated, such as the conservatory or kitchen, the building can be divided into zones.  This is achieved by using manifold valves, which direct the water to the required room.  Water underfloor heating kits are available and any competent DIY enthusiast should be capable of installing it.  However, if you are not experienced in DIY a plumber should be employed.

How Water Underfloor Heating Systems Work

The system works by circulating water through pipe loops that are laid under the floor.  The water is usually heated to around 50°C and the pipe loops for a room or zone run from the system manifold and back.  The manifold should sited in a location that is easily accessible.

Advantages of Underfloor Heating

Water underfloor systems are popular in Europe and they provide comfortable, cost effective and unobtrusive heating systems for millions of properties.

Underfloor heating warms the room from the floor up, rather than heating the ceiling space first.  The system is able to use a lower water temperature, because the larger heating surface means that less heat needs to be emitted per square metre than with radiators.  As a result, the boiler consumes less fuel, which means running costs are lower and it is a more environmentally friendly solution than many conventional heating systems.

Installing Water Underfloor Systems

Water underfloor heating systems can be used under almost all types of floors.  A plumber will be quite capable of carrying out the installation and a qualified electrician will be required to wire up the control system.

Underfloor heating systems are most often related historically to those used by the Romans, also a different system widely used in Korea over the last three millennia. The Roman method of heating floors is known as the hypocaust system, meaning literally ‘heat from below’, which funnelled furnace heat through open spaces, ducts and flues under floors and between outer walls of public and private buildings. In Korea, floor heating used the ondol system.

Ondol technology, the word meaning ‘warm stone’, relies on a furnace or domestic stove, typically used to cook with, which is underground, this heats the floor which has horizontal passages for the heat to pass through and a chimney at the end.  As with the Roman hypocaust system first developed in the Islamic world around the twelfth century, the potential for poisoning by fumes was eliminated by using closed pipes.

The ondol system could be spread throughout a building, spreading the furnace heat from the kitchen to the different floors. Underfloor heating passages were covered in flat, thin stones known as kudul, meaning ‘fired stone’. The method of using heated air to heat floors has been attributed as a reason for the Korean cultural custom of sitting on the floor to eat and relax.

The modern use of ondol in Korea and in other parts of Asia typically relies on heated water running through pipes rather than hot air through open passages; a gas or oil boiler heats the water.

You may be installing DIY underfloor heating in your home, but do you know anything about the history of this luxury?  Believe it or not, underfloor heating systems have a pretty interesting history.

Developed more than 2,000 years ago by the ancient Romans, underfloor heating has been a luxury in many homes ever since.  They used the empty spaces under their floors, like cellars, to let the warm air circulate and heat the floors of the rooms above.  Typically, a furnace would be lit directly under the floor.  In ancient times, to heat the rooms on the first floor of a building, heat from the furnace would run through channels in the walls.

A millennia or two later, in the 1960s, electric underfloor heating made its debut.  Though it is the forerunner of how people view underfloor heating, there have been a lot of progressions in the last fifty years. The original method of electric underfloor heating was erratic – the floors not maintaining a constant temperature and often being too hot in the mornings.  Today, underfloor heating systems can help maintain a home’s temperature, save on energy, and reduce overall heating costs.

Since the ancient Romans invented underfloor heating systems, we have seen advances in technology that would blow them away.  However, the underlying principle remains the same. Today we have wet underfloor heating, electric floor heating, and everything in between.  Consumers simply need to choose which method they prefer and can afford.

External paths and driveways are ideal for underfloor heating systems, especially in areas that are susceptible to snow and frost as it makes them safer to use and saves having to clear them in bad weather. They are also invaluable where there are ramps for the disabled which need to be free from snow and ice at all times.

External heating systems consist of mat type structures that are heated by electricity and can either heat the whole path or driveway or just the parts that are used, such as the width that the car actually drives across. The mats are specially manufactured to use under solid masonry materials. An electric underfloor heating system that will keep driveways and paths clear of frost in any weather, not only keeping you and your family safe but also keeping guests and visitors safe during the worst winter weather.

Both water and electrical systems are available but although water operated types are cheaper to run, electric systems are cheaper to install. The running costs with electricity are high so it is recommended that research is done before deciding which type of underfloor heating system is appropriate for your situation.

Also, as with all types of underfloor heating, the cost of installing it in an existing driveway or path will nearly always be more than when fitting it into a new construction. There are many places where this system is essential, but many others where it could be considered more of a luxury.

If you have decided to install an underfloor heating system, before you actually start work you need to decide how to best control it.  There are different types of underfloor heating thermostats to choose from and deciding which to choose involves more than merely the price.

Whole House or Zones?

Do you want to keep your entire house at the same temperature or should some parts be warmer than others at certain times?  It is more efficient to divide your house into zones.  For example, you might make your living areas one zone, kitchen area another and bedrooms/en-suites another.  Once you have reached a decision, your underfloor heating system can be installed accordingly.

One Thermostat per Zone?
Do you want to roam throughout your house setting multiple thermostats?  It is much simpler to have one central thermostat that can control all the zones from one location.

Programmable Thermostat?
A programmable underfloor heating thermostat will make the most efficient use of your underfloor heating energy, thus saving you the most money.  With this type of thermostat you will not only be able to set the temperature in each zone, but also set the time you want each zone to heat up and cool down.  You can choose to have the whole house stay cooler during the day, while you are at work and set it to begin warming up before you arrive home.  The same applies when you are away on holiday; why heat a house that will be empty for a week?

It is important to decide what kind of control you require for you new heating system so that it works as efficiently and economically as possible.

Imagine stepping out of bed in the morning and putting feet on a nice, warm floor.  That is one of the most enjoyable benefits of underfloor heating.

Another benefit is you never have to look at an ugly radiator again.  You will have more attractive rooms and more available floor space per room.  Worry about children or the elderly being injured by falling against a hot radiator will be eliminated.  You will be able to place furniture pieces anywhere you like without blocking the heat.

Radiators also collect dust and create moisture, which leads to the perfect living conditions for dust mites to thrive.  Underfloor heating systems are sealed beneath your floor, so they collect no dust and create no moisture.  When used in bathrooms, under tile heating eliminates moisture, so there is less chance of slipping on wet floors.

Underfloor electric heating is completely silent.  There is no annoying gurgling or hissing to disturb your peace and it is also much more efficient than radiators.  Traditional heating systems force much of the heated air up toward the ceiling where it collects and does not add to your comfort level.  Electric underfloor heating is distributed across the entire floor and radiates upward maintaining a more even temperature level throughout the room.

As for maintenance, underfloor electric heating is much more economical.  Traditional systems and radiators, which make use of boilers and water pipes, need to be serviced annually.  Electric underfloor heating systems only have to be inspected once every ten years.

It is clear that there are many benefits to using electric underfloor heating than other heating systems.

Underfloor heating is basically is an alternative to the traditional types of convection heating such as forced air.  It is a type of central heating which enables ideal climate control within the home and is achieved by employing thermal conduction and radiation.  Today underfloor heating systems are installed in many public places such as offices, restaurants, and schools.  In other European countries, underfloor heating systems account for up to 70% of all new heating installations.  Underfloor heating can be produced by several methods such as:

- Circulation of heated water (water underfloor heating)
- Electric cables (electric underfloor heating)
- Film heaters
- Heating mats

Although underfloor heating is quite common in the UK, it did not originate there.  Underfloor heating systems originated in Korea where they were known as “ondol”.  It is believed that this underfloor heating system dates back to the time of the Three Kingdoms or the Koguryo period (37 BC-AD 668).  At that point in time, they were using the excess heat given off by stoves in order to warm up their homes.

In Roman times, most heat was generated by fireplaces.  Because this was such a dangerous and inefficient way to heat the entire home, the Romans would eventually adopt a rudimentary form of forced hot air underfloor heating.  With fireplaces, there was always the fear of fire and smoke inhalation.  In any event, the technology caught on and has evolved into the technologically advanced and highly efficient underfloor heating kits used today.

Whether you have an underfloor heating system installed professionally or you want to undertake a DIY underfloor heating project, there are numerous ways that you will benefit from having this type of heating system installed.  The four primary benefits of underfloor heating include the following:

Aesthetics – Whether it is an electric underfloor heating system or a water underfloor heating system, they are not visible and do not detract from the appearance of the home’s interior.  There is no valuable wall space taken up with unsightly equipment.  In public settings this is a benefit as there are no dangerous hot and/or sharp edges that can cause injuries.

Dust Control – There is a huge benefit to asthma sufferers and individuals who have dust allergies because the amount of dust and dust mites that become airborne are greatly reduced.

Energy Efficiency – Compared to traditional forced-air systems, heat loss is reduced significantly with underfloor heating systems.  Additionally, these systems typically produce efficient heat and are set at lower temperatures, meaning that they are more energy-efficient than other types of systems.

Thermal Comfort – Conventional heating systems use buoyant warm air that rises up to the ceiling, so the upper part of the room is usually warmer than the lower part.  Conversely, with underfloor systems, the lower part of the room is considerably warmer.

Considering all of the above, an underfloor heating system is not only healthier, but it saves you money and is considerably better for the interior environment of one’s home.

No matter what type of building you want to heat in winter, underfloor heating systems are considerably more cost-effective, efficient, and are better for the environment than the conventional heating methods such as forced air systems.  In some European countries, up to 70% of new heating system installations now involve underfloor heating systems.  These systems are ideally suited for use in conjunction with energy efficient sources of heat such as ground source heat pumps.

For the most part, electric underfloor heating and hot water underfloor heating systems are quicker and easier to install, especially if you are considering making this a DIY underfloor heating project.  There is less maintenance involved and they can provide heat no matter what type of residence or structure is concerned.  These heating systems can be installed in homes, offices, restaurants, and even schools should you desire to do so.

Additionally, you can install a separate underfloor heating thermostat in every room so that you can heat up only those rooms that are being used.  You’ll just need to decide whether you want an electric underfloor heating or hot water underfloor heating system.  Either way, you are going to save money over the long haul where your utility bills are concerned and be environmentally friendlier in the process.

Finally, you want to consider the benefits of installing an underfloor heating system over a conventional system because:

- Dust and dust mite circulation is minimised
- Heat is more evenly distributed
- There is little or no maintenance required
- They are clean and hygienic
- They are easy to install
- They are vandal-proof

Underfloor electric heating systems are fairly complex systems using a combination of modern technology and engineering ingenuity. There are various wires and leads running throughout the heating mesh, as well as other cables and the wiring for the underfloor heating thermostat. Not only is it important that none of the wires and leads cross each other, potentially to short-out the entire floor heating system, but it is also essential that the underfloor heating thermostat is placed in the proper position so that it can regulate the temperature of the floor as efficiently as possible and avoid cold/hot waves. The concept is that the entire floor should be one uniform temperature, not have cold and hot areas.

Most DIY underfloor heating systems sold at local home improvement stores will include a factory-standard mesh with the cables already running throughout this in the proper fashion. The only installation worries that the homeowner needs to concern themselves with is making sure that the leads from the heating mat are run properly to the electrical outlet and wired correctly. In addition, the thermostat must be placed in the appropriate position and wired in carefully.

If working with electricity is something you prefer to leave to the professionals, simply hire a qualified electrician to install your underfloor electric heating system to industry specifications. In addition, a qualified electrician should always make the final connection of the thermostat as well as testing the system prior to use.  This is now required by law in the UK for all new electrical installations.