Underfloor heating etc

spikes_1

Has anyone out there got experience of underfloor heating systems, particularly 'wet' systems and in terms of benefits (cost v economy), suppliers with a good reputation and whether is is feasible for a reasonably competent handyman to install themselves? In a similar vein, has anyone experience of solar (heat-exchange and photovoltaic) and wind power on a domestic scale? I would also be grateful for any opinions on what is the most economical and efficient gas-fired boiler for a 4-bedroom bungalow?

Thanks in anticipation.

Spike

Sybarite

I can't help you with wet systems - but I can offer an opinion on electric ceiling and floor heating foils.

I have this system which runs on economy system as it was installed in the new flat I moved into.

It's the worst heating arrangement I've come across, to the point that I want to move out beacuse of it. The issues are;

1)The economy 7 turns on at 11pm and off at 6am, which is when the heating comes on, when I'm asleep and just when I don't want it. By the evening the temp has cooled, but the heating can't be turn on as there's no override for this.

2)The floor heating heats all the floor, including the kitchen, which means everything goes off v quickly and slowly heats the contents of the kitchen bin, which then smells - which is nice.

3)The ceiling foils eat electricity, shockingly so. This is to do with the thermostat being 1/2 way down the wall and heat rising. Clever. My fist electrictity bill over winter was nearly £500 for a 2x bedroom flat.

4)You must be very careful not to puncture the foils (especially the ceiling ones) so no hooks, door stops etc.

5)As these systems work on an ambient temperature being maintained, it means I don't have that much control over individual rooms, despite the thermostat control in each.

6)I can never dry the occasional item of clothing on a radiator.

7)If it uses that much electricity it isn't environmentally friendly.

I'm not sure this really helps you, but at least you know the downside of my system. I think things would be easier without the economy 7, but the lack of control is the real bind. I wouldn't recommend it over conventional heating systems.