Will you choose radiators or underfloor heating? How you will heat your home is a key question to consider during the design of your new extension as it can effect the kitchen layout and placement of furniture. You will want to know what the best heating source for your property is, and whether it is better to go for traditional radiators or underfloor heating. This blog will look at the pros and cons of both.
In order to understand which heating source will be more suitable and efficient for your property, you need to take some points into consideration such as:
Heat Distribution
Underfloor heating works by pumping warm water through plastic tubing. This is put under the floor before the final surface is laid. This means that every part of the room receives even heating, so there are no cool spots, which can be the case with a radiator system. Radiators need to heat up to 65 – 75 degrees Celsius, while underfloor heating only needs to run at 29 degrees Celsius or less, depending on the final flooring. Due to this, underfloor heating takes longer than a radiator to warm up the room. However, it does retain heat for longer in the thermal mass of the floor.
Comfort and Air Quality
The way the heat is distributed impacts the efficiency and comfort of the heating system. Radiant heat (underfloor heating) warms up objects directly, as well as maintaining the natural humidity in a room. Whereas convection heating (radiators) gives off warm air that tends to reduce humidity. This can make the heated area feel stuffy.
Cost Efficiency
The initial costs for an underfloor heating installation are bigger than a radiator. However, due to it being more energy efficient, in the long term it can prove be extremely cost effective
Aesthetics
Due to the fact it will be underneath the flooring, your room will appear to be larger without radiators. Based on that, your decoration will be easier without the obstacles, and this means more space can be achieved.
Zoned Heating
When the heating system is divided into zones (room by room) controlled by a thermostat, it can be a more efficient way of heating your home. This is because you will turn on just the specific zone, not the whole system. Conventional radiator systems tend to heat up throughout the whole house at once, based on a central thermostat. This can cause overheating and under-heating depending on the thermostat location and is less efficient than heating individual zones.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss any of the above, please feel free to contact us on 0207 495 6561. Alternatively, email hello@buildteam.com to arrange a free consultation with one of our team.
