RANGE REVIEW: HARDWARE & PLUMBING T
he UK is one of Europe’s biggest users of natural gas - 85% of homes use gas central heating, and it also generates
a third of the country’s electricity. But heating residential properties in this way is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with nearly one quarter of the UK’s total emissions coming from the way in which we run our homes. So, for the sake of our planet, how we heat our homes must significantly change. The UK Government has committed
‘net zero’ greenhouse gases by 2050, which means we will need to reduce the carbon emissions from heating our homes by 95% over the next 30 years.
One of the key drivers in achieving these ambitious targets is the move to alternative heating systems, namely very high efficiency electrical heating and heat pumps which the Future Homes Standard states will “become the primary heating technology for new homes”. It aims for the number of heat pump installations to soar from 30,000 per year currently to 600,000 per year by 2028. Underfloor heating is the ideal partner to heat pumps, as it can operate at lower temperatures than boilers and radiators, yet still provide comfortable heat for homeowners. Underfloor heating typically uses either water pipes or electric mats as the key heating element, with many products available on the market today. However, homeowners still tend to view underfloor heating as a luxury addition to their home, and there can be some disruption involved in retrofitting it to existing homes, or when repairs and redesigns are required.
Ezy-Warm Underfloor Heating To overcome all these cost, environmental and practical concerns, flooring and heating expert IOBAC UK Ltd in conjunction with NexGen Heating have developed Ezy-Warm Underfloor Heating. This ultra-thin, super simple system can be powered by renewable energy sources, using far infrared radiant heating for maximum heat and cost efficiency.
The system comprises three simple layers: an Ezy-Warm Heated Mat, an approved underlay and the homeowner’s choice of floor covering including carpet, Luxury Vinyl Tile, laminate and wood. Co-founder and director Ian
Spreadborough, explains: “We wanted to take the headache
10 DIY WEEK NOVEMBER 2021
FAR INFRARED UNDERFLOOR HEATING:
AN ANSWER TO THE ENERGY CRISIS? to
With global prices for fossil fuels, particularly gas, increasing at a phenomenal rate, energy bills are set to rise for millions of UK homeowners this winter. The good news is that there are new, alternative solutions for sustainable, efficient heating coming to the market. Specifically, we explore here the role that underfloor heating can play in helping our homes to be more cost and energy efficient.
the Environmental category. These awards are independently judged and recognise ‘genuinely new and exceptional’ products. Octopus Energy’s
Technologies Evangelist,
Future Phil
Steele, has described the technology as “a truly game changing piece of tech” and “a ground-breaking new way to heat a building without burning gas.”
Heating what matters most One of the main benefits of far infrared heating
is its efficiency.
Traditional convection heating works by warming the air in a room. Humans feel the warmth via contact with that warm air. However, this can be a very inefficient method of heating as the warm air rises to the ceiling, and it is only when it loses energy and falls back into the main part of the room that the homeowner feels it. Much of the energy is wasted. In contrast, Far infrared underfloor heating directly heats humans and objects in the room, rather than the entire space. The infrared energy is absorbed, turning the objects
into
out of underfloor heating. Our simple solution means that now homeowners
can easily install
a stunning designer floor with heating added in. It’s very easy to install, maintain and change, with no specialist trades needed and minimum disruption to the home. Competent DIYers and tradespeople can now fit an underfloor heating system themselves. “Its
heat efficiency means homeowners can sleep easy
knowing they are saving energy costs as well as the planet with our radiant heat technology. They can go off-grid and power the system via renewable energy sources, making it free to run with minimal ongoing maintenance.” This innovative new technology
has recently been recognised as a Gold Award winner in the National Flooring Innovation Awards
in
sources of warmth. In turn, they gradually emit the energy, gently and evenly warming the room, with no heat loss. Ian Spreadborough comments: “Like the sun on your face on a cold winter’s day, the infrared energy waves are safely absorbed by our skin, where they are transformed into a pleasant, comfortable feeling of warmth. “Humans
naturally emit far
infrared radiation at 10-20 microns and Ezy-Warm Underfloor Heating emits rays between eight and 15 microns. By keeping these values close, we ensure a safe, gentle warmth.” Research suggests Far Infrared radiation has many health benefits. It is even used to warm premature babies.
Plus, with Ezy-Warm
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