SAVING ENERGY

Electric underfloor heating is fast becoming recognised as a reliable and economic way of heating spaces in offices and homes. It now not only provides optimum comfort conditions, but also is extremely economic. In fact, electric systems can help meet the energy saving requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations. In addition, unique ‘intelligent’ thermostats and various insulations are available that can boost the possible energy savings by an extra 20% .

The great advantage of electric underfloor heating is that it distributes heat evenly. In a room with conventional radiators with a surface temperature of 65°C, the temperature variations in areas of the room away from the radiators will range from 18°C at floor level through 23°C and 25°C at different heights to 26°C below the ceiling — depending, of course, on the distance from the radiator.

With an underfloor system achieving a temperature at floor level of 25°C, the average temperature at different levels throughout the room will be lower, but occupants will feel more comfortable. This reduction in temperature variation can significantly affect on overall heating costs.

HEALTH

There is less air movement with underfloor heating, which means less dust movement, making it more hygienic. Research in 21 households in mainland Europe showed a 50 to 80% reduction in domestic mite populations in households with floor heating, improving the quality of life, especially for allergy sufferers.

As floors dry faster in wet areas such as in bathrooms, a build up of fungi and mould is also avoided, adding to its hygiene quality. Underfloor heating also leaves the area being heated free from fixed appliances, affording more scope for individual room design.

RUNNING COSTS

The simple answer is that the running costs are determined by many different factors:

When the systems are used in a well-insulated building, the running costs are usually very low, the thermostatic control means that you only use just enough energy to maintain your desired room temperature. A typical new building would perhaps cost around £3-£4 per sqm per annum to run, so 100sqm free floor area home would cost around £300-£400 per year to heat.

On comparison to warm water underfloor heating or even central heating, electric underfloor heating has no moving parts, which means no potential leaks, burst pipes, servicing or breakdown callout fees.

for further details visit www.theunderfloorheatingstore.com