Underfloor Heating (UFH)
Harpenden, St.Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, Watford and Tring

Underfloor heating is far from a new concept, it was first used by the Romans whose buildings were heated by warm air from an open fire passing through voids built into the construction.

Underfloor heating is not a new concept in the UK either. Early systems involved electric heating elements buried within floor screeds. These elements were heated over night using 'cheap rate' electricity. However, this method was expensive to run and uncontrollable. The building would overheat during the day, but in the evening, when heat is generally required, no further heat was available.

However, modern underfloor heating systems are extremely comfortable and controllable, thanks to today's modern multilayer pipes, control systems and high efficiency condensing boilers. With underfloor heating, comfort levels are high and running costs are low.

Underfloor heating is ideally suited for kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories and small extensions with a solid floor construction and a floor area of up to 15m2.

Advantages of Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating has many advantages over more traditional heating systems. It is invisible, cost effective, silent, hygienic, maintenance-free, does not dry the air or take up room like radiators and the heat distribution is even throughout the room. Underfloor heating heats your rooms evenly from floor level so you get a more effective and comfortable distribution of heat.

With a traditional radiator system, most heat ends up at ceiling level as the radiators draw cold air across from floor level and convect it towards the ceiling. This results in the floor level being the coldest part of the room and uncomfortable drafts. In contrast, a high proportion of the heat from UFH is radiant heat, warming from foot level and making you more comfortable as you stand or sit. The floor effectively becomes a large thermal store that gives off a constant, even heat.

Underfloor heating is more hygienic than traditional heating and of benefit to asthma sufferers. There is no dust circulating and the underfloor heating helps to reduce house dust mites as the moisture content is too low to support them. The reduced moisture content and the even heat distribution prevents discolouration of paintwork and peeling of wallpaper. Cleaning of the floors is easier and wet floors dry very quickly.

UFH can be installed under almost every type of floor: wood, tile and laminate. It can even be laid on top of an existing floor and covered with tiles.

Underfloor Heating Running Costs

It has been proven that energy savings of 15-40% can be achieved with underfloor heating, making it very cost effective. These reductions in energy consumption are made possible by using low water temperatures. The underfloor heating systems operate with a flow temperature of around 50˚C, so the use of condensing boilers can deliver efficiencies of up to 98%. Underfloor heating is therefore very economical to run compared to conventional radiator systems, saving you money on your fuel bills and kinder to the environment as a result.