Fan Design

Heat Pipe

Central heating options - underfloor heating

What’s the difference between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ systems?

Underfloor heating can operate using warm water or electricity. In wet hot water systems, underfloor pipes heat the floor above as hot water flows through the piping. Because the whole area of the floor is warm, it heats the room more evenly.

One of the biggest benefits of underfloor heating is the fact that they operate at much lower temperatures. Compared to your radiators, which concentrate heat across their relatively small surface area, your flooring allows the heat to emanate over a large surface area. And so these systems do not require water to be heated at such high temperatures. As a guide, the average radiator heating system requires temperatures of 80°C, UFH operates at 45 to 65°C. Floors will reach and maintain a temperature of up to 28°C – a temperature that is comfortable for you to walk on.

In electric, or dry, systems, instead of pipes passing water under your home, underfloor electric heating elements are used to warm your floors.

Is my house suitable for underfloor heating?  

Underfloor heating systems are suitable for both domestic and commercial buildings.  Underfloor heating can be used in partnership with a combination boiler, as well as other gas and solid fuel boilers. Powering the system from a combination boiler is the most preferable method as it means that your boiler and heating system will be running with optimum efficency.

In domestic properties, UFH can be fitted in new homes, majorly refurbished homes, extensions and conservatories too. This is for a complete underfloor system. The options broaden further when you consider installing part-underfloor heating.  

A popular alternative to complete underfloor heating is part-underfloor heating. For example, you could use radiator heating for the upper floors of your property, and underfloor heating for the ground floor only.

What is the best layout for my underfloor heating pipes or elements?

The installation of an underfloor heating pipe can be determined by the type of floor under which you plan to install. You’ll notice that with timber flooring your options are restricted due to the floor joists. The direction of your pipes or elements will be determined by the direction of the joists.

Also, Underfloor heating is not 100% consistent, and you’ll find that water returning to the manifold is colder than the water leaving the manifold. This can actually help you to plan your underfloor layout as you can choose which parts of your house you wish to receive the most heat and concentrate the early part of the pipework under the coldest part of your home.

About the Author

British Gas is the nation's favourite cheap gas and electricity supplier, homecare insurance provider, and energy efficiency advisor

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