IRRESISTIBLY RADIANT
What exactly are the benefits of underfloor heating? Giacomini, international producer of UFH systems explains.
In the face of rising heating bills, homeowners and house builders are always on the lookout for cost effective solutions. This is why underfloor heating systems are becoming increasingly favourable. The benefits of underfloor heating are endless, not only does it save money but it also has significant health and wellbeing benefits.
Underfloor heating systems use radiant energy instead of convection currents used by modern radiators. Convection results in the floor being the coolest part of the room, leaving a mass of warm air at ceiling level. It also picks up fine dust particles from the floor and distributes them into the air and over furnishings.
By heating almost entirely by radiation, underfloor heating is the most natural, efficient and comfortable form of heating. With underfloor heating the whole floor becomes an emitter for the radiated heat. The energy reaches into every corner of the room or space evenly, giving a consistent temperature throughout the room, which means no cold spots, no warm ceiling and no cold feet! It also retains heat for longer than a radiator after the system has been switched off.
The large surface area of the floor means the system does not have to be
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heated to the same high temperatures as a radiator. By distributing heat through the use of lower operating temperatures, underfloor heating can reduce running costs by up to 30%. A further financial benefit of underfloor heating is that it is has no maintenance costs; this is because the system has no moving parts. Cost efficiency is also boosted by minimising waste energy. Underfloor heating allows separate rooms to have different temperatures, which is achieved by thermostats that allow independent control.
Aside from being a great way of minimising costs, underfloor heating is healthier for its environment. Reduced air movement means a reduction in dust and airborne germs so that homes are cleaner and healthier, which is good for those with asthma or allergies. Underfloor heating also reduces the moisture content in the room, which further reduces the presence of dust, as the dust mites cannot survive as well without moisture. It is also effective in reducing the problems in dwellings caused by damp.
A further benefit of underfloor heating is its safety. Safety features such as lower running temperatures and no
protruding radiators have resulted in underfloor heating being the number one heating choice for hospitals, schools and care homes.
Underfloor heating is one of the most versatile heating options available on the market today. Due to its low flow and return temperatures it can be combined to work with many renewable technologies, for example heat pumps, biomass boilers or solar thermal systems. This allows further reductions in energy costs and carbon footprint. It can be installed in newbuilds or retrospectively, making it an option for most building projects. The uses of underfloor heating are endless – it is even being used on farms to heat greenhouses and grow tomatoes! Not only that but underfloor heating in a property is also a good selling point that makes the house more desirable, which in turn increases the property price. Add that to the endless money saving benefits and the choice is easy!
This year will undoubtedly see more news stories about heating bills rising but with the above information in mind, there are plenty of options available to you to help maximise the efficiency, both energy and cost, of your housing project.
www.giacomini.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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