Water Underfloor Heating
Wet underfloor heating systems are becoming more and popular, especially amongst builders for newly built properties. This is because wet underfloor heating systems provide radiant, even temperatures throughout a room. As the heat is more evenly distributed with underfloor heating compared to radiators, the water can be set at a lower temperature, this makes it a more efficient way to heat your home. Warm water systems are ideally suited to larger properties or those with lower levels of insulation, due to their higher heat output.
What is Wet Underfloor Heating?
Wet underfloor heating is an underfloor heating system that heats a room from the bottom up through a set of pipes. The set of pipes are attached to a heat source such as a boiler. The water is heated up via the heat source and circulates throughout the floor to heat the space available above.
Comfort
Underfloor water heating allows your property to be evenly heated as the heating system spreads across the entire property, rather than creating hot spots around individual radiators. The steady rise of radiated heat is much more even and comfortable than the restless movement of convection heat from radiators, drawing cold air across the floor and up to the ceiling, underfloor heating produces radiant warmth. The entire floor is heated so warmth is released evenly – no cold spots, stuffiness, or draughts. Another benefit is the fact that you can walk without shoes as the floor stays constantly warm throughout the day. Underfloor heating systems are also much quieter than radiator systems.
How to install underfloor heating systems
The type of system you install will depend on the type of floor you have, with different types available for different surfaces. When it comes to a water-based system, it’s best not to attempt to install it yourself – hire a plumber to handle it for you, because installation will require laying the pipes, connecting them to the boiler system and possibly even raising the floor.
The Cost of Installing Underfloor Water Systems
Water underfloor heating is a highly cost-efficient heating system to run as it uses much less energy than a central heating system. Wet underfloor heating emits enough energy to bring your room to your comfort temperature at flow temperatures of 30-40 degrees. This is significantly less than the temperatures required by conventional radiators to bring your room to comfort temperature (60-70 degrees). This is because underfloor water systems spread the heat evenly across the floor surface and emit radiant heating through the objects of the property.
Majority of costs come from installation, underfloor water heating is ideal when building a new-build home, or building a new room, bathroom or extension as it cuts the cost of installation and essentially kills two birds with one stone.
Products we recommend
Quinn Therm QF PIR Insulation Board
For suspended timber floors in particular, Quinn Therm QF reduces heat loss by an air infiltration method, making it the ideal solution for upgrading the thermal performance of existing floors.
Xtratherm Thin-R Hyfloor XT-HYF PIR Insulation
