| Under floor Heating (UFH) is a highly efficient comfort | | | | and vise versa. |
| conditioning system because: | | | | • Whether it is a solid or wooden floor the |
| • The distribution of warmth (the heat energy) | | | | under side of the heaters must be well insulated with |
| is from the floor level upwards | | | | an adequate layer of insulation and also reflective |
| • The wall or ceiling mounted heat emitters are | | | | insulation foil doubling as a vapor barrier to prevent |
| eliminated | | | | condensation (if a damp proof membrane is not |
| • The heat distribution is uniform through out | | | | available below subfloor). |
| the space and cold pockets are thus eliminated | | | | • If your building exists and is with solid floors |
| Types of UFH systems | | | | the pipe or the mat is generally laid on the floor and |
| There are two main types of under floor heating | | | | finished with timber, laminate or any other type of |
| technologies depending on the source of heat. i.e. | | | | tiles. The level of the finished floor will be raised .This |
| • Electrical heater element type (in cable or mat | | | | will in turn necessitate the lifting of the doors, skirting |
| form) | | | | boards etc. |
| And, | | | | • In the case of electrical heating elements you |
| • Warm water circulating pipe type (hydronic) | | | | will find heating mat (which is in effect heater |
| Under different situations and requirements each | | | | elements attached to a flexible mat) can be laid on |
| type has its own applications. | | | | the surface rather than embedding in the screed. This |
| Which is suitable for my home? | | | | has the added advantage of maintaining the element |
| Examples of situations where electrical heater | | | | cable spacing for uniform heat distribution. |
| elements are better suited are; | | | | • In tiled floors the heater elements or the pipes |
| • When the subfloor is already high to embed a | | | | may be embedded in the adhesive which is generally |
| piped system | | | | flexible. |
| • In an existing building where the finished floor | | | | • Suspended wooden floors pose a different |
| level does not permit raising further to embed pipes | | | | situation altogether. Generally the pipes or cables may |
| • When cheap or excess electrical energy is | | | | be mounted between joists (clipped or clamped to |
| available in the building (say for example through solar | | | | under side) with adequate insulation and foil vapor |
| PV panels or wind turbines) | | | | barrier below. All joints must be well sealed with |
| • When a high back pressure rated warm water | | | | sealant tape. Though views may differ on timber |
| circulating pump (necessary for hydronic systems) | | | | floor insulation, as moisture is detrimental to timber |
| cannot be incorporated in the system. | | | | (which is a good insulator but absorbs moisture easily) |
| On the other hand the embedded pipe system is | | | | a vapor sealant and insulation (depending on the floor |
| better suited for you when: | | | | design "U" value) is prudent. Further it should not be |
| • Cheap warm water is available from your | | | | forgotten that the timber floor will be exposed to |
| existing or retrofitted hot water boiler. | | | | two different temperatures on either side which may |
| • When zoning and a condensing boiler is used in | | | | warp the material unless adequately insulated. |
| your home heating system. | | | | • Another technique used to suspend pipes or |
| • In geothermal heat pump installations | | | | cables under timber floors is to lay a masonry filling |
| • When adequate clearance is available above | | | | under the timer work embedding the heaters. This is |
| sub floor to embed the heater piping. | | | | however slow and labor intensive process and |
| • When solar water heating is available | | | | accordingly expensive. The masonry filler will be |
| • When better energy economy is sought | | | | heavy too and unless you are sure of the floor |
| What ever is your choice, under floor heating (UFH) | | | | strength this method is not advisable. |
| provides you with individual room temperature | | | | • The third method for timber floors is to fix an |
| control, avoid obtrusive and ungainly terminal heating | | | | aluminium plate to support the heater elements from |
| equipment and affords much less maintenance. | | | | under .This is tedious and costly in terms of material |
| Consider these well in advance! | | | | as well as labor. |
| Some important points to keep in your mind when | | | | Evaluation of all pros and cons for the type of |
| considering a UFH system are; | | | | installation best suited for your application and the |
| • A particular product is designed for a specific | | | | purse is a must prior to finalization. Another aspect |
| type of installation and therefore the manufacturers' | | | | you must consider is whether your new under floor |
| guidance must be sought and adhered to. For | | | | heating installation will qualify for any SEI grant aid |
| example pipes suited for screed embedded UFH is | | | | schemes. |
| not suited generally in under wooden floor installations | | | | |