If you’re thinking about installing underfloor heating into a property, you can be confident that if used correctly, the system will provide many years of trouble-free operation and high levels of comfort.
Underfloor heating is virtually maintenance-free and we make sure that all the parts and components used are guaranteed for at least 50 years. That being said, propriety equipment such as pumps, valves, electrical or mechanical components are all subject to wear and failure after prolonged use. Similarly, as you would arrange for an annual service of your boiler, we would highly recommend a service of the underfloor heating system by a qualified technician.
The beating heart of an underfloor heating system.
The underfloor heating manifold is the centre of the entire system, controlling the flow of warm water to the underfloor heating pipework. In simple terms, it’s two rows of taps that allow water to flow to separate pipe circuits that are installed in different areas within the floor so they can be balanced and individually controlled.
Once the system has been installed and turned on, very little is actually needed for the operation of underfloor heating. The water temperature through the pipework is controlled by one of several methods of blending, for example, a MERCURY Control Pack, 3 or 4 port blending or a manual 3 port mixing valve. This will have been adjusted to the correct temperature at the time of commissioning and should not need to be touched. The rule of thumb about blended temperatures at the manifolds are 45°c for screeded floors and 55°c for timber suspended floors.
Close attention should be given to sensitive floor coverings such as natural wood as sustained high temperatures beyond the system design settings may cause damage. You must always check with the manufacturer for the recommended maximum temperature before installation for peace of mind.
Room Temperature.
A room thermostat usually mounted on the wall maintains the temperature at the desired comfort level. There’s a choice of control from simple dial thermostats, to programmable and even Wi-FI enabled thermostats that can be controlled from anywhere outside your home via a smartphone. Underfloor heating is usually designed to maintain a constant internal temperature of 20°c -21°c. As underfloor heating is a very stable, low-energy system, it shouldn’t be necessary to make major alterations to the temperature settings once comfort conditions have been achieved. There are so many different options on the market that it pretty much comes down to personal preference, lifestyle and budget. We supply a wide variety of thermostats from leading brands, see them here.
If you’re thinking of installing underfloor heating into a whole floor of a property then you will have what is called a multi-zone system, where each room (or zone) will have its own thermostat. This means that each room can be set at its own comfort level without influencing the temperature in other areas, keeping all the occupants in the home happy according to their own preferences.
How long should you leave your underfloor heating on for?
You will have probably already worked out that underfloor heating is a highly-efficient method of heating a property and once initial heat-up has been achieved, it should prove more beneficial to operate the system for longer periods of time, rather than switching on/off 2-3 times a day via the programmer as you might do for a radiator system.
One of the main questions we get asked is whether it’s ok to leave the underfloor heating running all day, particularly as we’re currently experiencing a cold snap and now that many of us are working from home. The answer is yes! It’s perfectly safe and actually encourages faster warm-up times and efficiency.
A feature of an underfloor heating installation is to allow economy set-back control. This means that each room thermostat can be automatically reduced by 4°c by a separate timer. It’s important to remember that this timer does not switch off the system, it only automates a set-back period overnight or during times when no-one is at home. During cooler weather, it’s a good idea to run the set-back temperature closer to your usual comfort level, keeping a constant temperature during the day if you would normally ‘set-back’ during working hours.
We look after your underfloor heating so you don’t have to.
Of course, we wouldn’t expect you to find all this out by yourselves. As an underfloor heating specialist we’ve been designing, supplying and installing underfloor heating systems for almost two decades into hundreds of residential, commercial, public, heritage and listed buildings.
If you’re looking for a quote, system design, installation or just advice, then get in touch with us to see how easy it is to install a modern heating system that will save you money on your energy bills and leave your property feeling cosy and warm.
Call 01202 894976 email sales@ufhn.co.uk or visit www.ufhn.co.uk
