Underfloor Heating

Hydronic Underfloor Heating

The way that contractors can get hydronic underfloor heating systems to work is by using a mix of water and anti-freezing compound. This way the fluids can travel in a "closed loop" and be recirculated between the bottom of the floor and the boiler. You will find that there is a wide array of pipes available if you are looking into hydronic underfloor heating systems. They are generally made out of polyethylene and sometimes you will find that copper and steel piping may be used in some locations for specialized heating arrangements. You will most likely not be able to install hydronic systems yourself considering that it takes someone who is quite skilled in that area to install it properly. Installation requires knowledge about the boilers, controls, fluid pressures, temperature, and circulators. Although you may be thinking that the energy costs may be incredibly high, this kind of underfloor heating system does offer a few ways to conserve energy such as: using solar thermal as an energy source, using bio-fuels, or even by using natural gas.

Electric Systems

Unlike hydronic solutions, electric underfloor heating systems are solely used for heating floors and they do not cool them. This particular type of underfloor heating system has non-corrosive heating elements including cables, cable mats, bronze mesh, and carbon films. Since the installation is generally thin and easy to disguise they will be able to be placed under floor finishes. Electric systems allow the home owner(s) to save an abundance of money because they can use the time-of-use electricity metering. If you decide to install an electric underfloor heating system you can put it under your hardwood, laminate, rug and/or carpet. The installation of electric systems is much like the hydronic heating system solely because it takes a skilled technician to do the job although they are known to be far less complicated than hydronic floor systems. Depending on the size of the area that you want heated, that will determine how many volts will be needed to power the heated floor or not.

Having the ability to heat your house by the temperature that is derived from your floor is a wonderful solution for anyone who is looking to save a significant amount of money on central heating costs. Hydronic heating solutions are more complicated than electric systems but they have been known to last longer and are mostly used throughout specialty projects. Electric solutions can be easy to install, depending on the size of the area but it is still preferable that you get a professional to connect the wiring together. Regardless, heated floors is an extremely sought out luxury item in a house and widely available to everyone and anyone.