Like with radiators, there are several options for your underfloor heating system.
If you are thinking about installing underfloor heating in your home, then you’ve come to the right place. Great Rads and Designer Radiators Direct sell not only central heating radiators but UFH systems as well. With our wide range of flexible and great value underfloor heating systems, you’ll be spoilt for choice. With such a range, you might feel overwhelmed with the choices at hand, which is why it is always wise to really pinpoint what you really need from your central heating system. If you’re investing in a new UFH installation then you have two main choices, and we’re going to break down both for you below.
Wet UFH
Wet UFH refers to underfloor heating systems which work using piping and hot water. These systems are installed with water pipes running underneath the floorboards which heat up the floor through conductive materials.
Dry UFH
Working with some of the same components as a wet system, instead of the heating source being a hot water pipe, the floor is heated by electrical coils which are plugged into the mains and charged with heat through electrical energy.
Benefits of of Wet UFH
Perfect for air or ground source heat pumps
If your home is heated through either a ground or air source heat pump, then underfloor heating through the wet installation will be perfect for you. The pump will add water pressure to the system, thus allowing a faster transfer of water through your floor, which as a flat surface, needs an extra push to heat it up.
Low temperature means energy efficient
In general, underfloor heating systems take longer to heat up than radiators. This is because there is more surface area to cover by the heat transfer and means that they are often kept on at lower temperatures. The lower temperature of the water is more efficient, using up less energy than short bursts of high heat, and will save you money on your gas bills.
More environmentally friendly
Due to the lower temperatures of the water and lower running costs, a wet UFH system is more environmentally friendly to run than electricity. Until there are more energy efficient sources of electricity, central heating systems will always be a greener source of heating.
Benefits of dry UFH
More localised
Due to dry UFH running off electricity, the system does not have to incorporate the entire central heating system into the warming of the room. This is because dry UFH is run from the mains of the room, hence allowing you to be a lot more focused on the room you’re warming up. This is especially useful if you are only trying to warm up one area of the home, as opposed to the whole property.
Easier and quicker to install
Dry UFH runs from the mains, an electric coil system installed under the floorboards to transfer energy to heat up the network of mesh and metal. This simply requires you to lift up the floor and spread out the network of UFH layers and does not need an entire plumbing system to be installed and connected under your floor. Dry UFH means less interruption to your homes heating system and ensures that you’ll have it set up within a day or two, rather than up to a week.
