Benefits of Electric Under Floor Heating

How Does Electrical Underfloor Heating Work?
The principle behind electrical underfloor heating is simple. An electrical current passing through a metallic wire produces heat proportional to the resistance of the wire. This means that, by varying the resistance, electrical heating elements which generate varying amounts of heat can be manufactured. Electrical underfloor heating can take the form of loose wire or, for larger areas, heating mats, where the wire is woven into a tough fiberglass backing material. In either case, electrical underfloor heating can be installed onto a subfloor without the need to dig up the existing floor and without raising the existing floor height by more than a few
millimeters. This means that it is suitable for both new build and renovation projects. An electrical underfloor heating system is controlled by a floor sensor and a thermostat, so can be accurately adjusted to provide a comfortable floor temperature. It is advisable, however, for the connection of a system to the electrical supply to be carried out by a qualified electrician.

Benefits of Electrical Underfloor Heating
The principle advantage of electrical underfloor heating is that it is energy efficient. If installed in a room with adequate insulation, an electrical underfloor heating system can provide the same level of comfort as a traditional radiator system, but at an air temperature 3 or 5 degrees F lower. Traditional radiator systems heat the surrounding air, which rises to heat the space below the ceiling of a room first, whereas electrical underfloor heating systems heat the entire surface of the floor first. This creates a more comfortable temperature gradient, with an even distribution of heat and no hot or cold spots.

Not only that, but the increased efficiency of underfloor heating means that you can save anything up to 20% on your domestic fuel bills and, in turn, reduce your carbon footprint. Traditional radiator systems can also create convection currents in the air, which circulate dust and other allergens, so underfloor heating can be beneficial to sufferers of asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Of course, underfloor heating is also effectively invisible, so there are no unsightly radiators or pipes to interfere with the interior design of a room. Electrical underfloor heating is also cost effective and can be installed by a reasonably competent DIY enthusiast.

Floor Coverings
Underfloor heating obviously relies on thermal conduction, so materials with high thermal conductivity, such as natural stone, ceramic, etc. are ideal for use as floor coverings. That said, however, electrical underfloor heating cables, mats and films are available in a range of output wattages, to suit a range of environments and floor coverings. An area of high heat loss such as a conservatory may require an output of 150 or 200 W/m2 (”Watts per square meter”), but underfloor heating elements with lower outputs, suitable for installation beneath laminated wood, vinyl, carpet, etc., are also available. It is, of course, important to abide by manufacturers’ guidelines with regard to both heating elements and floor coverings.

For more information on heated under floors, please go to Hot Floors.

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