Why Use Under-floor Heating?

Warm water under-floor heating works by circulating water through pipe loops laid under the floor, effectively making the floor one large radiator, but at much lower surface temperature than a normal radiator. All types of floor and floor coverings are suitable and the system can be run off any type of heat source, i.e oil, gas, electric or solid fuel boiler and it works particularly well with geothermal heat pumps. The pipe loops are continuous so there is no risk of leak and the whole system is virtually maintenance free.

Under-floor heating is more comfortable

Under-floor heating emits a higher proportion of it's heat as radiant heat in the lower, occupied part of the room, not up at the ceiling. This is more comfortable to the body, and the heat is concentrated where it is required. The humidity is higher so the room will not become stuffy, and as the heat is even over the whole area of the floor, there are no cold draughts, therefore you have warm feet and a cool head.

Due to the radiant effect concentrating the heat in the lower part of the room and even distribution of the heat across the room, the room temperature can be maintained at a lower temperature then with a conventional radiator system. This translates into an energy saving of at least 15 %. Also the water temperature in the system is lower so the boiler efficiency will be enhanced too, particularly if a condensing boiler is used. Under-floor heating will also enhance the efficiency of a heat pump.

Under-floor heating is clean

As the under-floor heating system is built into the floor there are no crevices to encourage the build of dust and dirt, and as there is no hot air convection there is no dust movement and unsightly black marks above radiators. Under-floor heating makes wood and tiled floor (which are easier to keep clean, and do not harbour dust mites) more comfortable and acceptable.

One of the main problems with radiators is that they are always in the wrong place. People prefer to arrange their furniture to suit their own preference, not their heating engineer. Under-floor heating gives total freedom at all times and does not use up wall space. Decorating is simpler – there are no radiators to paint, and wall papering is easier.  It can be brought into use earlier in a project to aid drying out.

Under-floor heating systems easily customize temperature zones.

Under-floor heating systems are individually specified to suit customer requirements. All systems feature individual zones with temperature control, continuous joint-free pipe circuit, and pipe spacing to suit individual parameters. There are many installation techniques for both concrete & timber floors (despite popular myth, under-floor heating is suitable for timber floors). Under-floor heating is suitable for all buildings, new and old, industrial, commercial and domestic. We have a solution for every requirement.

Individual room temperature control is provided by wall mounted thermostats controlling actuators on the manifold circuit valves. At the manifold, boiler temperature water is regulated down to floor heating temperature. Further control options of digital programmable thermostats or full network systems can also be provided.

Why Use Under-floor Heating? copyright 2011 Digtheheat.com