Electric Underfloor heating is no more costly to run than any other electric heating type (of the same power rating). When installed and operated correctly, it can over time actually be cheaper to run, with far greater levels of comfort than other heating types. It is however very difficult to make a direct comparison between underfloor heating and other heating types.

Conventional heating is typically highly directional and limited in its extent of reach within a room. Those sitting close to the source are too hot while those further away are still cold. The warmth generated from conventional heaters also tends to dissipate very quickly once it has been turned off.

Underfloor heating is a lifestyle choice and produces an exceptionally comfortable warmth because of the nature of the radiant heating it provides. While you may run it longer at times than a conventional heating option, the difference in quality and comfort will be un-measurable.

What is Radiant Heating?

Radiant heating is the same type of heating as that we receive from the sun every day.

Think of the warmth of the sun hitting your face on a cold winters day. Despite the cold surroundings, you still feel that warmth. You feel that warmth inside you.

Radiant heating warms the objects it encounters before it heats the air around those objects.

Because of this Radiant heating provides an exceptionally comfortable warmth. In the case of Underfloor heating that warmth is evenly distributed through the entire room preventing cold spots. The heat is directed where it is most pleasing with the warmth directed at your feet and the cooler air higher up for breathing.

Every installation is different and different floor finishes require different coverage.

Underfloor heating solutions are generally made for specific floor types. Under Tile, Under Carpet, Under Laminate and Under Floor (for floors where heating is put directly into the floor slab) are the 4 basic types of heating elements and solutions available.

A good starting point is to take the floor area of a room x 100 Watts. This will tell you how many watts are required to heat an average room of that size. However this is a starting point only. The actual requirement may well be below or above that number depending on the area and climate you live in, the floor type, the room usage and any number of other factors. Your heating specialist will take note of all these while designing the correct system for your application.

Remember that an incorrectly specified and installed system will not offer the best performance and may actually cost you in the long run. Always use a qualified specialist to design and install your system.

Conventional heating systems do have some advantages but the risk of burns from direct contact, cables to trip over and clutter in the room make Underfloor heating a solution well worth considering.

Not only does underfloor heating leave your rooms uncluttered from potentially dangerous heaters, they have no moving parts, require very little maintenance (if any at all) and they are odorless, silent and clean.

Underfloor Heating does not dry out the air or raise dust levels in the room thereby limiting the aggravation of allergies. This makes it ideal for those who suffer from allergies that can cause or aggravate asthma, hay fever or sinusitis. Some of the worlds leading organizations working with asthma recommend radiant heating solutions for patients.

It is both safe to use and comfortable for all ages from babies and infants to the elderly.

Insulation installed beneath the heating system ensures that the heat generated is directed upwards and is not “wasted” by heating the ground below the system.

Your underfloor heating system will function perfectly well without insulation however insulation can drastically improve the efficiency of your installation. Some studies show efficiency improvements of up to 80% making installing insulation with the heating system almost a no brainer.