Underfloor
heating (ufh) though widely used in northern Europe and has become
quite popular in the UK in recent years has its origin dating far
back in the roman period. Hypocaust
heating system introduced by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago is the
forefather of modern central heating systems.
Firstly used in
Roman baths about 100 BC, it was later introduced to private houses.
Empty spaces under the floors, such as cellars were heated with a
light furnace and the warm air around the cellars would heat the
floors of the rooms above.
How
does modern underfloor heating works
Warm water is circulated from your
boiler to the electrically operated zone valves (radiators, hot
water, underfloor heating) with a conventional heating system or
(radiators, underfloor heating) with a combi boiler. When the room
stat calls for heat the water passes through the zone valve and then
onto the manifold where the water is circulated through continuous
lengths of pipe embedded in the floor, that run at a lower water
temperature (typically 50°C) than the radiators (70°C). (source
Wikipedia)
Warmup Underfloor Heating benefits:
Best of all, the Warmup under floor
heating system can be installed in any house, new or old, with far
less trouble than other temperature control systems. An electric
under floor heating system can even be installed on your own, as it
is roughly similar to laying wall-to-wall carpeting.
1)Is Invisible and takes practically
no living space.
2)No
dust or any other by product is created by warmup underfloor heating.
3)Even distribution of heat as warmup
underfloor mats are fitted to each individual room.
4) Warmup underfloor heating combined with thermal insulation is able to heat an
area quickly, requiring the system to be turned on for a minimum
amount of time.
5)15% reduction in heating energy
costs.
Drawbacks
Though a very efficient
system there are a few minor drawbacks with underfloor heating.
Firstly it has a slow
response time as the the cable/pipe is embedded in a solid floor.
Secondly Ufh beneath a wooden furniture can cause the inside to
'sweat' and this can be detrimental to the life of the furniture.