It is essential to choose the right heating system for assured thermal comfort. Among the many heating systems available on the market, underfloor heating is an option. But is choosing underfloor heating as a heating system really a good idea? This article will help you decide whether or not to choose underfloor heating by explaining its particularities and issues.

The Particularities

Underfloor heating is a process of emitting heat through the surface of the floor of a room to heat the indoor air. The heating system is par excellence because it consists of heating at low temperature, a large surface, contrary to the other methods, such as the radiator, which concentrates heat at high temperature on a limited surface. There are 4 different types of floor heating systems:

Firstly, the hydraulic floor heating system or water circulation floor heating system, whose operation is ensured by a closed circuit of hot water, in the form of a spiral, located between the screed and the slab of the rooms to be equipped.

Secondly, the electric floor heating system or electric radiant floor heating system, equipped with an electric resistance cable, is used to heat the floor by Joule effect. The installation of this cable is done through renovation work.

Thirdly, solar floor heating, where olar collectors power are positioned on the roof of the house or the ground in the garden. It is very economical because it is a solution based on the use of renewable energy.

Quarto, the cooling floor heating, which is powered by a reversible heat pump. The cooling is achieved by reducing the temperature by a few degrees, when the external temperature increases.

The Advantages

There are 4 main advantages of underfloor heating.

Firstly, underfloor heating can be installed in any room of the house, even in the kitchen and bathroom. Underfloor heating is suitable for these two rooms, which are narrower than other rooms in the house, because it saves space compared to wall-mounted radiators.

Secondly, underfloor heating is the most economical heating system in terms of energy consumption.

Thirdly, it is highly appreciated because of its discretion, as no part of the system is visible.

Fourthly, you can control the temperature emitted by the underfloor heating system, according to your thermal comfort needs, through a regulator to be installed in each room of the house. Therefore, you can change the temperature from one room to another, or choose an even and constant temperature in all rooms.

The Disadvantages

Firstly, underfloor heating presents certain complexities in case of system failure because it will be necessary to break, remove and replace the floor covering to repair.

Secondly, it can also be a source of discomfort because of the risk of overheating caused by problems with the regulation.

Installation and Maintenance

First of all, installing a floor heating system is done on a concrete slab, and then, it must be covered by an insulating plate. Then, it must be covered by a floating slab and a floor covering. The type of flooring is up to you, such as floating parquet, carpet, waxed concrete, etc. But the ideal floor covering for underfloor heating is tile.

In addition, underfloor heating requires maintenance, and it is the company’s responsibility that installs it to ensure its maintenance, especially if you have signed a maintenance contract.