How does underfloor heating work?

Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. No more ugly radiators, more space in your home and lower energy bills - that sounds ideal. But is underfloor heating the right choice for your home? How exactly does underfloor heating work and how do you make sure it works properly? This blog tells you everything you need to know.

Simply explained, a house with underfloor heating is warmed by heated water flowing through pipes under the floor. The warmer the water, the faster the room will heat up. Unlike traditional radiators, which release warm air locally, underfloor heating provides a constant temperature throughout the room.

An underfloor heating manifold directs hot water from the heat source (such as your central heating boiler) through pipes to the underfloor heating hoses in the floor. You can think of the distributor as the control center of the system.

The distributor consists of several parts:

• Circulation pump: This is the part that causes the hot water to be pumped through the pipes in the floor.
• Mixing valve: This valve ensures that the water temperature in each room or zone is just right. It mixes the water so it is not too hot or too cold.
• Thermostat: These measure the temperature in each room and transmit the signal to the distributor to adjust the system.
• Drain Taps: Allows you to shut down or empty the system for maintenance to keep everything working properly.

The whole system ensures that heat is distributed evenly throughout the room, giving you a constant temperature. This not only helps keep your home nice and warm, but also helps you save energy.

Underfloor heating offers a great way to heat, but it's important to consider the pros and cons. Depending on your situation, certain aspects of the system may or may not be a good fit for your needs and home.

• Even heat distribution: Underfloor heating provides even heating of the room. Because the heat comes evenly from the floor, the air is not moved unnecessarily, providing a comfortable indoor environment without cold spots.
• Space-saving: Underfloor heating does not take up any space, giving you more room in your room. This makes it ideal for smaller rooms or homes that want to make the best use of available space.
• Energy-efficient: Underfloor heating often operates at low temperatures, which means it is more energy efficient than traditional radiators. That can mean savings on your energy bills, especially when combined with a sustainable heating system such as a heat pump.
• Healthy indoor air: Underfloor heating works through radiant heat instead of convection heat, which keeps the air in your home drier and dust-free. This is a benefit for people with allergies or respiratory problems, as less dust and pollutants are dispersed in the air.
• Ideal for a variety of floors: Underfloor heating is suitable for various types of flooring, including tile, natural stone, PVC, and laminate. Wood floors are also possible, as long as you choose the right type of wood. It is a common misconception that wood and underfloor heating do not go together, but with expert advice and the right floor construction, a wooden floor is excellent to combine with underfloor heating. So always get good advice when choosing a wood floor.

Using a thermostat in conjunction with underfloor heating provides an efficient way to heat. Follow these four steps to get the most out of your underfloor heating.

1: Set the desired temperature
Start by setting the desired temperature on the thermostat. This can be done manually or through an app that you set for different times of the day.

2: Thermostat measures room temperature.
The thermostat continuously measures the temperature in the room. Once the room is colder than the set value, the thermostat sends a signal to the floor heating system to start heating.

3: Water is heated and pumped through the pipes.
The thermostat controls the temperature of the water flowing through the pipes under the floor. This water is heated by your central heating boiler or heat pump.

4: The system maintains the temperature.
The thermostat keeps the water temperature within the desired range, usually between 30 and 40°C. This ensures even heat that heats the room efficiently.

The cost of underfloor heating at R Floorzz is €64 per square meter, excluding installation. Keep in mind that installation costs may be more, as connecting the system to the central heating boiler or heat pump often requires extra work. At R Floorzz, it is possible to do the installation yourself.

Read more about the costs here!

1: Set the thermostat properly

Set your thermostat properly to get the most out of your underfloor heating system. Program the thermostat so the system turns on heating only when you need it. This saves energy and prevents unnecessary heating when you're not home.

2: Make sure you have good insulation under your floor heating.

Good insulation under your underfloor heating system is important for efficiency. Insulation prevents heat from dissipating downward, making your system run faster and more energy efficient.

3: Always leave the underfloor heating on

Underfloor heating works most efficiently when you leave the system on constantly at a low temperature. Unlike traditional radiators, underfloor heating takes time to warm up the room evenly. By keeping the temperature constantly low (for example, at 18-20°C), you prevent the system from starting up every time.

Underfloor heating is a comfortable, energy-efficient and space-saving way of heating that fits perfectly into modern homes and renovations. Whether you choose tiles, PVC or even a wooden floor: with the right preparation and good advice, it works perfectly together. Keep in mind that the system takes a little longer to warm up, but for that very reason is most efficient if you run it continuously at low temperature. And don't worry about maintenance - underfloor heating often lasts trouble-free for years. Want to be sure you're making the right choice? Get good advice and choose quality. R Floorzz is happy to help you with that.

You can order a mono floor heating kit from R Floorzz at rfloorzz.co.uk or the webshop estrichvloer.co.uk

Do you need help installing underfloor heating? Or do you simply want to outsource it? Get in touch or make an appointment.