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.