PRODUCT FEATURE | Bathroom heating


Underfloor heating


Nigel Kennedy, UFH site support, Polypipe, explains everything you need to know about selling and installing underfloor heating…


Q: Is there an underfloor heating system (UFH) for every project? A: Polypipe Underfloor Heating offers a wide range of flexible products and systems, providing a heating solution for every project. With the current energy crisis that we’re facing, underfloor heating provides a more economic and sustainable heating solution, as the water is kept at a lower temperature yet will produce the equivalent heat output to a traditional radiator systems.


Crosswater’s Artist


Towel Warmer in the Matt Cashmere finish


The Ilkley Column low carbon steel radiator, with chrome towel rail, from Scudo by Harrison Bathrooms


quickly with its low water capacity. “ Understanding that consumers aren’t experts is key, so explaining the size and heat output of the options available – and what that means specifically to their bathroom – must be done in a straightforward way, explains Richard Eaton, product manager, Bathrooms to Love by PJH. He says: “When selling bathroom heating products, it’s important to highlight


what heat output is air and warm towels.


John O’Brien, business development at Vasco UK & Ireland says: “When looking to heat a bathroom a product that can multi- task is a great option. As well as the Niva Bath with storage, there are products such as our super-thin Oni, which is manufactured from recycled aluminium, has a rail attachment for airing purposes and is a sustainable option that uses less water and energy to heat the bathroom.”


Effective and efficient heating


Retailers should be prepared – and able – to


point out possible and


potential savings on heating costs where applicable in a new or retrofit bathroom project. Harrison Bathrooms’ Woodward says: “A growing number of our customers are looking for heating options to reduce their energy consumption without compromising on style, and choose from our range of aluminium models. Investing in an aluminium radiator can save on costs, as an aluminium model heats up


46


appropriate for the room size, measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. Generally, the larger the radiator surface area, the more heat can be generated. To achieve a higher or lower heat output from the same radiator footprint, designers can look at including or excluding multiple rows of tubes, panels and columns. A large double-panel radiator will have a high BTU rate, use more energy and increase energy bills. Additionally, painted finishes can offer a slightly higher heat output than chrome.” Alex Bradley, commercial director,


MHS Radiators, favours heated towel rails as the top choice for bathrooms of all sizes. “While underfloor heating may cross people’s minds, it can be a difficult system to retrofit, so can get complicated, unless a new floor is being installed,” he explains. “Towel rails heat up quickly and maintain their warmth, drying towels and heating the room. This setup is determined by the size of the room and the useable wall space that’s available. Larger diameter tubes produce higher heat outputs than smaller diameters. It’s always worth considering a dual fuel towel rail, switched to electric mode in summer.” There are many size and heat output


Q: How are the economic advantages achieved? A: Underfloor heating puts a smaller demand for output on a boiler, therefore is ideally suited to achieving maximum economy from a condensing boiler or heat pump. Polypipe Underfloor Heating is also possible to install into an existing radiator system as the necessary components are supplied within our underfloor heating design package.


Q: Are there limitations on choices of flooring for bathroom projects? A: Our overlay system is laid over existing solid or timber floors and is ideal for a single room retro-fit projects or extensions - such as a bathroom. The systems are available to purchase as room packs for exactly this purpose. We know that underfloor heating works particularly well with tiles, concrete, and engineered timber but with the right system design, underfloor heating is also compatible with laminate and vinyl, opening up lots of bathroom possibilities and even carpet.


calculators available online, including those from The Radiator Company, MHS Radiators and Bathrooms to Love, who also supply Warmup electric underfloor heating specifically for tiles and stone floors.


Recommended considerations Roxor’s Lalor, expands on the main bathroom heating choices. “Electric and Dual Fuel models have seen an uplift in popularity as they offer more direct control when heating a bathroom. These models are also popular amongst installers, as the products can be fitted retrospectively without going into the existing central heating system. Once installed, these models can be controlled using thermostatic radiator valves which help to reduce the homeowners energy/ heating costs.”


Too small and it simply won’t warm the space properly, too large and it will result in an unnecessary uplift in energy bills


Colm Lalor, commercial director, Roxor Group


He also emphasises the importance of designers making sure the chosen product is the right – and most effective – size for the bathroom. “Too small and it simply won’t warm the space properly, too large and it will result in an unnecessary uplift in energy bills.” Nick Duggan, MD, The Radiator Centre, also says that energy efficiency


continues


to be a big talking point,


although


approaches can vary between customers wanting to know what


The Piazza heated towel rail in Anthracite, from nuie bathrooms by Roxor


product is the cheapest to run, to the biggest amount of heat generated by the smallest radiator. “For us, green credentials are the aspects that attract more interest from most clients,” he says. “Aluminium and stone radiators which are either recyclable in themselves or made from recycled materials always gain interest. Manufacturers recognise that there is a move towards more efficient and sustainable products and are gearing up their information and technical advice as a consequence. It needs to be clear and accessible for both the retailers and their customers.” Recommending good heating products doesn’t have to be complex, but information about running costs and logistics should be as helpful as possible, especially when choices involve radiators, heated towel rails and underfloor heating.


· January 2023


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