Radiators vs underfloor heating
Your chosen heat emitter will have a big role to play in the overall efficiency of your home’s central heating system. So how do you go about choosing the right solution?
When it comes to keeping a consistently comfortable living environment, making sure you have the right heating output is crucial. While the aesthetic of flickering flames in a stove is attractive, it’s usually limited to a room or two. Instead, your main emitter options for whole-house heating tends to be between toasty radiators and sleek underfloor heating (UFH). Your design preferences will come in to play here, as well as practical considerations, like your chosen heat source. It’s normally worth speaking to a professional heating engineer to determine the best solution for your home.
How do they work?
Radiators offer speedy response times, plus they are easy install and have simple controls, so it’s no wonder they’re still a popular solution. Traditionally, these appliances were positioned under windows so that the cold air pushes the radiant and convected heat around the room. “anks to major improvements in double glazing and other insulation techniques, this positioning isn’t always necessary, and you can find something that will work in most situations,” says Nick Duggan from e Radiator Centre. Your chosen heat source will pump hot water, usually about 80˚C, through your pipe network to the radiators. Underfloor heating works by transforming your home’s floors into a low-temperature, radiant heat emitter. is can be either waterbased or electrically powered. “e former distributes warm water (approximately 30˚C-35˚C) through a series of pipes beneath the floor surface, providing even temperature distribution,” says David Playfoot from Uponor. Most arrangements are divided into separate zones, which
are connected to a manifold that regulates the flow of water from the boiler or heat source. A thermostat is used to determine the temperature in each area. “Electric versions feature a network of cables wired up to a thermostat and the mains power,” says David. is solution tends to be cheaper to install than water-based alternatives. However, as it’s powered by the mains electric, it’s typically more expensive to run. “Generally, it’s better suited to smaller areas, usually less than 22m2,” says David.
Radiator styles
While radiators of the past are often considered to be clunky, the selection has increased massively so that you can choose pretty much any style that takes your fancy. Whatever design you choose will be down to function and the look you’re going for, especially with more modern aesthetics. A typical standard radiator features two plates encased by a top grille and side covers with convector fins between the two panels to enhance the airflow. ese usually provide the highest heat output. A vertical model might lose more heat through the top, but they are particularly useful when horizontal space is at a premium. Electric appliances are ideal where water pipes might not be accessible, or where they don’t exist at all. ese models provide excellent heat control thanks to built-in thermostats. You might find a towel rail heated this way, which tend to work well in more compact spaces, such as bathrooms. Working out the British thermal unit (BTU) requirement for your room will show you how much energy is needed to heat the space. You can then match this to a radiator’s output to ensure you don’t over- or underheat. ere are various calculators online to help or, alternatively, a Gas Safe installer can do this for you. “You might find you can heat a room with a smaller radiator than you first anticipated,” says Nick.
UFH aesthetics
As well as providing cosy warmth underfoot, this heat emitting solution is practically invisible, which can be very popular in minimalistic settings. However, you do have to consider the style of flooring you lay on top – harder surfaces like vinyl, tiling and timber tend to work better to transfer heat compared to carpet. While underfloor heating ensures an even distribution of warmth throughout a space, you need to consider the thermal efficiency of your building and the level of heat the appliance needs to output. “An expert supplier will carry out room-by-room heat loss calculations to design the UFH to match the planned glazing, insulation, floor coverings, usage and required temperature of each room,” says Rachel Roberts from Nu-heat.
Pairing with renewables
If you’ve specified an air or ground source heat pump (ASHP; GSHP) for your system, bear in mind that these appliances operate at lower output temperatures than traditional sources. At their most efficient level, GSHPS will provide an output temperature between 35˚C and 45˚C. So, your radiators will need to be sized accordingly. Models with a larger surface area will be able to deliver the heat you need at a lower input temperature. Alternatively, hooking your radiators up to a different renewable solution, such as a biomass boiler (which offer a higher heat output, around the 70˚C mark), could be the best solution. Underfloor heating operates at a lower temperature, as it distributes heat evenly around a space. So, renewable sources like ASHPS and GSHPS work very efficiently with this style of emitter. “ese appliances are most efficient when operating at a lower output temperature, making them ideal for teaming with UFH, which has a lower flow temperature than radiators,” says Rachel.