Underfloor heating is hugely popular with home owners, but is it the answer to all a home owner’s problems when it comes to providing warmth? Alex Mayer looks at why it is often a good idea to mix and match when it comes to heating.
The popularity of underfloor heating is going through the roof – but not all home owners are getting a heating system which suits their needs.
The best option for many is to look at varying the emitters in their heating systems.
To take a narrow view of the situation and select one form of heating for the entire house can sometimes lead to dissatisfaction.
Underfloor heating certainly offers great uniformity of heat and efficiency, whilst also appealing greatly to the home owner with a minimalist outlook on décor. However, sometimes, despite its versatility, other alternatives are more practical for upper floors of buildings. So, as a consequence, looking at underfloor as a single solution to the problem of heating an entire house isn’t always the best way forward and a broader, multi-product approach is often called for.
The reality of the situation is that often the best solution does not come from a single system, but from a mixture of products. This is something which you often don’t get if the person or company making the recommendations either has no commercial interest in selling that selection, or simply does not have the expertise to know which emitters work best in which types of building.
Many of those who are discovering the delights of underfloor are using it as a sole form of heating. Often, it is more difficult to install underfloor on higher levels of a home, compared to the ground floor where the floor construction is more suitable. Another potential issue comes into play with larger buildings with three or more levels, and radiators would be suitable on higher floors to supplement the underfloor heating.
The diverse range of products available means that there is an option for every room. A low surface temperature radiator can be fitted in a room where there is the safety of a child or vulnerable adult to consider, such as a children’s bedroom. In bathrooms, again where safety is important, low voltage models of products such as convectors, which sit in the base of units, are available.
Such products are specifically designed for heating smaller spaces. Electric underfloor heating is another, and both products can either complement or replace the heat from a towel warmer which, in itself is a great option for providing both warmth and drying using the minimal space.
And it’s not just the traditional rooms of the house which can benefit from a mix of heating. Conservatories, by their very nature, lack wall space, so a mix of underfloor and hi-line convectors offer a great solution to making this an all year round place to relax.
At the end of the day, it is time to move away from the unilateral view of heating and start considering a wider solution in the search for a warm home.
Alex Mayer is Managing Director of Berkshire based plumbing services company Boiler Servicing 24-7. www.boilerservicing24-7.com, or call 01753 569229