Underfloor heating innovations
Whether you’re self building or about to retrofit your existing property, ensuring your home will be a comfortable space during winter is key. Sofia Delgado finds out about the latest underfloor heating technology, and what it can do you for your project
From acoustics to quick installation, Sofia Delgado explores how the latest UFH products meet your project needs
s the colder months approach, we start thinking about how to best stay warm and, perhaps just as importantly, how to save on utility bills. Thanks to the building technologies now available, this goal has become easier to achieve.
Because of Building Regulations, new homes have to comply with strict airtightness tests and efficient insulation must be fitted throughout, meaning these dwellings are easier to keep comfortable during winter. This, in turn, has allowed for underfloor heating (UFH) to run at minimal temperatures that will uniformly warm up the living areas.
For those of you thinking of carrying out a renovation project, it’s likely you’ve considered installing this system. While retrofitting UFH can be trickier than installing it in new structures, innovative products have made these systems popular for refurbishments, too.
Why choose UFH?
ATransforming your flooring into a heat emitter means opening up the design possibilities. These setups work well for open-plan spaces, helping you get rid of radiators and allowing more usable floor area. “UFH gives you the advantage of creating a bespoke, whole-house heating solution tailored to your build’s materials, insulation, floor finishes and layout,” says Emma Brown from Nu-heat.
In addition, when correctly installed, water-based UFH can be an eco-friendly option suitable for most floor types. This system is estimated to be up to 25% more efficient than radiators, as the water runs at lower temperatures. “Depending on the heat output required, the water would be between 35-55°C,” says Emma. Paired with a heat pump, UFH’S efficiency can rise even further.
As hot water is evenly distributed across a wider surface and takes less energy to reach ideal warmth, the cost savings seen by UFH can be impressive. “Homeowners could stand to save 20% off their utility bills with a setup like this,” says Uponor’s Amar Dharwar.
To ensure you are installing the right product, you should ask your supplier to recommend the best specification available according to your lifestyle and project needs. “Ahead of designing a scheme, we work out heat loss calculations for each room, allowing us to tailor it to the build’s materials and layout” says Emma.
The rise in the connected home and the Internet of Things has also had an impact on UFH systems, with new controls allowing you to program yours more effectively.
Which option is best for my project?
Installing UFH in self builds is relatively straightforward, as it can be designed-in at the early stages. “UFH is particularly cost-effective and easy to install as part of a new build project, fitting neatly into the construction schedule,” says Emma. However, don’t be put off from incorporating this feature in a renovation project, as it could drastically improve your lifestyle.
Water-based setups
These systems work, as the name suggests, by running hot water through pipes underneath the floor. There are two main routes to installing a water-based arrangement, with most suppliers offering products for both.
Perhaps the most popular are screeded systems, also known as wet UFH, where the pipework is laid as a single continuous loop or circuit in each room on top of insulation, and is then covered by a layer of screed. Traditionally, the screed would take several weeks to cure enough to be walked on – but modern self-levelling versions are now available that dry in as little as 72 hours, ready for flooring.
With standard wet systems, the screed often reaches around 70mm height – a key reason why this option had been synonymous with extensive and disruptive works to existing properties, as it means raising existing floor heights and amending joinery such as doors and skirtings.
However, UFH companies have developed a series of slimline products specially designed for retrofit projects.
One option is Uponor’s Minitec, offering a build-up height of 15mm, which can be laid on top of existing flooring and has a quick drying time thanks to the thin screed. “Minitec can be easily customised to fit around obstacles from your existing home,” says Amar. “Its great advantage is that it doesn’t require major adjustments to door frames etc.”
Unscreeded UFH – known as dry (not to be confused with electric systems, also referred to as dry) – comprise panels with the piping inset into the insulation and overlay. These units work well for suspended floors as they fit in or onto the joists. “Dry UFH is ideal for renovations without space for a new screed,” says Omnie’s Susannah Gardner.
Dry water-based systems are quick to install, with homeowners able to lay their choice of flooring straight after the UFH fitting. In addition, dry UFH can heat up faster than wet options with thick screed, as the pipes are laid as close to the floor finish as possible.
“Heat emission plates are the best option to use on suspended timber floors,” says Amar. “Homeowners will need to ensure all insulation and necessary battening work is completed before laying the boards.”
Nu-heat recently launched Lopro Lite, a dry product addition to its retrofit range. “This system was designed to increase ease of installation while maintaining low profiles,” says Emma. “The use of panels means there’s no waiting around for the screed to be ready.”
It’s becoming more popular to install a mix of wet and dry water-based systems to suit the different aspects of a project. “While the right choice of system for new dwellings is highly dependent on the individual build requirements, as a rule of thumb we would suggest utilising a screed system for the ground floors and heat emission plates for a suspended first floor,” says Amar.
Companies continue to innovate to meet homeowner’s needs. Omnie’s Torfloor RDB, for instance, offers acoustic insulation within the panels, making it a popular product for households with children – as it can minimise noise and vibration coming from the upper floors. “This panel incorporates acoustic insulation, structural floor decks and underfloor heating all in one,” says Susannah. “It’s not only quick and easy to install – just as fast as any other structural floor deck – but it also reduces build-up.”
Prices for water-based UFH will vary according to project size and product specifications, but expect to pay upwards of £80 per m2.
Electric systems
Another UFH option is electrically powered setups. These are cheaper and easier to install than their water-based counterparts. Electric UFH consists of looped cables laid beneath the floor finish that are heated as power runs through them. Cabling can be embedded into the screed, although in most cases it’s laid on top for ease of installation.
If you are fitting UFH in a standard shaped room, then an electric mat may be the solution. Prices for these products start from £16 per m2 of cabling, while the mats themselves cost from £20 per m2 upwards.
Although cheaper to install, because this system is powered by electricity, it may not present savings when used throughout large builds. Instead, it’s best placed in one-off rooms such as conservatories and bathrooms where you only need the occasional boost of warmth.
One of electric UHF’S main appeals is its rapid response when turned on, with the temperature difference beneath your feet noticeable almost instantly. “Electric UFH can actually be more economical to run across smaller surface areas, such as rooms under 22m2,” says Amar. “There’s a low initial setup cost for this option. We recommend installing it within bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens – the areas where you may often be bare foot.”