An Overview of Electric Underfloor Heating Systems
Underfloor heating is considered a modernised heating concept and is used throughout the world. However underfloor heating is not a new phenomenon as the heating system has been around since the days of the Romans. It is believed that in those days Romans constructed their buildings with voids, which enabled circulation of warm air to flow under the floor and through the walls. The air was heated by an outside open fire and required several people to look after the system. Since then times have changed, however one aspect has remained constant and that is the desire to be comfortable in all circumstances.
The Case of Underfloor Heating
Today’s underfloor heating is a sophisticated version of the Roman principle, and the system is not restricted to just domestic dwellings, as many businesses have implemented the heating system into their commercial properties. One of the main reasons home and business owners have opted for underfloor heating is because of the environmental benefits – underfloor heating is an efficient way to heat a building. The heating system operates at lower temperatures and consumes less energy, which means less CO2 emissions. The lower operating temperatures maximises the efficiency of the heating pump, and therefore the pump will last longer. Research has shown that energy saving is from 15% to 40% with underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating can either be warm water based or electricity driven, depending upon the precise requirements.
Warm Water Based
Warm water underfloor heating, also referred to as a wet system, uses a series of continuous pipes or tubes that are laid into the floor through which warm water circulates at about 50