Many new builds now feature electric underfloor heating and also, because it is simple to retrofit onto existing flooring with minimal mess, it is increasingly popular in property updates. If you too are contemplating electric floor heating, read on before hitting any stores.
Underfloor heating leaves you free to maximise wall space and to enjoy your floors more fully
What is electric underfloor heating?
Electric
underfloor heating is a modern take on the ancient concept of warming rooms from below the floors. Instead of slow-burning fires that heat the ceiling and in turn the floor of the room above, the system has evolved to become electrically-powered heaters that are installed beneath a floor covering, often directly so. They are usually wires on a reel or pre-positioned on a mat, although some systems also take the form of panelled sheets.
Electric floor heating works on the principle of rising heat, thus it warms the room from ground up. This kind of heating, known as radiant heat, emits warmth that is even and ideally suited for the human physiology – the feet are warm while the air at head-level remains comfortably cool rather than stuffy, as is often the case with other forms of heating. With radiant heat, comfort tends to be felt sooner and at a lower temperature so energy savings are achieved.
What benefits can I expect to gain from my electric underfloor heater?
Electric underfloor heating is advantageous in many ways, including the following:
- Luxuriate in extra comfortable warmth thanks to the gentle method of radiant heating
- Potentially lower heating bills thanks to targeted usage, optimal energy efficiency and sustainability
- Take advantage of free wall space for uninhibited interior design
- With the heater well insulated and hidden underground, there is no risk of burns
- Enjoy a healthier environment with reduced drafts and airborne allergens
- Be free of regular maintenance as required by conventional gas-fuelled radiators
Where can electric floor heating be fitted?
Electric floor heating is usually installed indoors and can be fitted in any rooms from kitchens to bathrooms. It is also excellent for conservatories where traditional wall-mounted radiators are less practical. The systems are operated by individual zones, which means you can choose to install the heater in an entire room or just a section of it as required.
Which system should I go for?
Electric underfloor heaters come in various forms and which type you choose would depend on the specifications of your project. An irregularly shaped room with many units to work around would benefit from the flexibility of a loose cable heater. Big areas, on the other hand, could be covered more conveniently with a pre-spaced matting heater that is simply rolled out over the floor. Fully earthed systems such as the Warmup Foil Heater also makes shorter work of installation in wet areas as the integrated safety mechanism eliminates the need for additional grounding nets.
Your final floor finish could also affect the system you could use, as some products are intended solely for installation under certain materials such as tiles. If you are not in a position to confirm the floor covering yet, but need to have the heating installed nonetheless perhaps to adhere to a project schedule, Warmup offers ultimate versatility in the form of their inscreed heater that is compatible with all floor surfaces. Because it is fitted within concrete, the heating system will stay protected until the floor covering is ready to be put down.
What should I do about installation?
Installation of electric floor heating systems is relatively straightforward and can for the most part be taken on by a competent DIY-er or experienced tradesman. It is however recommended that a qualified electrician connect the thermostat and for manufacturers’ instructions to be followed closely. If in any doubt, always contact the manufacturer for clarification. It is also worthwhile considering the use of insulation boards in conjunction with your underfloor heating system as they can significantly reduce heat-up times.
How do I know if a particular brand is reliable?
When shopping around for a system, it is more advisable to make your selection based on overall value rather than a direct price comparison.
- First and foremost, check that the heating element is insulated with high quality fluoropolymers and not cheap PVC plastic that will become brittle over time.
- Look for accreditations. Safety marks such as BEAB, GS and DEKRA are based on some of the most stringent standards in Britain and Europe so you can be assured of high quality.
- The length of a product’s warranty is often an indication of the manufacturer’s confidence in its durability, so the longer the better. Market leader Warmup even offers a SafetyNet Installation Guarantee whereby a heater damaged accidentally during fitting will be replaced for free.
- Ascertain the level of support you will be entitled to pre and post-purchase, including useful services like free quotes, rapid delivery and technical help along the way. A consumer-oriented company offering both telephone assistance and online resources that you can conveniently access around the clock is best.
- Ideally, choose a company that has dedicated service engineers as they will have both the technical know-how and the ability to respond quickly in the unfortunate event of a system malfunction.
- Ask for precise running costs of their systems. A company that is heavily committed to research and development would be able to tell you that.
For more information regarding electric underfloor heating, contact Warmup on 0845 345 2288 or speak to a live consultant on their website www.warmup.co.uk. You can also email them with your floor plan for a free quote with no obligation.
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warmupAward-winning underfloor heating manufacturer Warmup recently launched a thermostat that can help shave up to 10% off heating bills. Tipping the scales both in function and aesthetics, the new Warmup 3iE thermostat is the world’s first heating control to feature fully interactive touch-technology and active energy management™ which actively promotes lower consumption levels.
This programmable thermostat has been developed in response to the changing needs of consumers who are increasingly accustomed to, and rightfully demand, affordable quality goods that do not compromise on looks. “Warmup expends extensively on product development but also keep a keen eye on market trends,” explains Marketing Director Spencer Sheen.
“There is a rising need for energy efficiency and we wanted to highlight that heating controls can help make that difference, with minimal hassle for the user too. Unfortunately most heating controls are uninspiring little boxes with limited functionality. Recognising that mobile phones have greatly shaped the consumer’s experience of gadget usage and given the proliferation of care taken towards home interiors and improvement, we felt that the way forward is to create a stylish thermostatic control that is highly intelligent yet easy to use. In fact, our thermostat has been so well received that in addition to the original glossy black version, we have, as requested by our customers, just released the 3iE in Classic Cream to fit even more colour schemes.”
The Warmup 3iE is designed to be used in conjunction with electric
underfloor heating, which in itself is already an efficient form of warming the home. Together, it takes heating efficiency to new heights, thanks to the thermostat’s advanced features.
Active Energy Management™
Exclusive to the Warmup 3iE, this feature can save you up to 10% of your energy bill by actively prompting you to test lower energy consumption levels.
Graphical Display
Real-time graphical displays shows you exactly how much energy you are using and when. Graphical display of your programme also enables quick and easy adjustment and there is even a wide choice of themes to suit personal visual preferences.
Self-learning Proportional Adaptive Function
To achieve optimal start-up times thus cutting wastage, the Warmup 3iE thermostat automatically adjusts to changing conditions in your room, your home and even the seasons.The 3iE carries the CE mark, is ASTA-BEAB safety-approved and comes with a 3-year warranty for extra peace of mind.
To find out how you too can improve the energy efficiency in your home with a better thermostatic heating control, simply get in touch on 0845 345 2288 or visit warmup.co.uk.
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Warmup 3iEWarm floors in a bathroom is a coveted luxury, particularly in cold weather.
Fortunately companies like Warmup have dedicated themselves to extensive research, bringing about not just high-quality and technologically advanced electric underfloor heating systems, but also very affordable ones.
While bathrooms are usually tiled, there are now heating systems to suit almost all types of floor coverings, and the new Warmup website makes it easy to view the latest models
Installation of these electric underfloor heating systems is a simple process and careful preparation and closely following manufacturer’s instructions will pre-empt many potential pitfalls. Proper water drainage and waterproofing of the designated area should be ensured for safety’s sake, whilst wiring of the thermostat should also be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Other considerations include choosing a system that not only works with your floor finish, but also one that is powerful enough to meet your heat requirements for the room in question. For instance, if your wet room is prone to high heat loss, it may be wise to choose a 200W/m2 system for a higher output. Putting down an insulated tile backerboard directly beneath the heater to act as a thermal barrier is also highly recommended. After all, chances are you’d prefer to spend more time actually enjoying the warm floors than heating it.
As a backup, always make sure that your chosen supplier will be in a position to help you if need be. Warmup, for example, offers round-the-clock technical support to customers on 0845 345 2288 along with a nationwide team of highly-trained engineers for complicated problem solving.
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Boasting an even more intuitive layout and interactive site, sourcing information on Warmup, its products and services has never been easier! If you are considering electric underfloor heating and want to know more about its benefits and applications, you will find plenty of help along the way in the form of useful information and [...]
