Underfloor Heating

Ashok_2

As a family considering to put in under floor heating in the whole house we were concerned about any harmful side effects of doing this, like dryness. We were worried about air becoming dry and causing diseases like eczema and general feeling of dryness (as opposed to the normal feeling with central heating).

Is the above problem the same with electric or water pipes under floor heating?

We were also concerned about the furniture becoming dry and cracking due to the dryness. We wanted to find out if anyone has had their central heating radiators removed and replaced with under floor heating (either electric or water pipe) in the whole house.

I would appreciate it if you could comment on your experiences.

Davidboy

Not experienced it myself, but my wife, who works in a school which has underfloor heating, says her feet are always uncomfortably hot all the time. But a work colleague who has just had it put in says it is good. Not much help really am I..sorry!

D

crossleydd42

I have heard it said that it makes the atmosphere dry, but some use water ionisers to compensate. This forum http://www.newbuilder.co.uk/forum/index.php?DATEIN=tpc_fevpsievs_1128541387
might be useful to you: interestingly, there is no mention of your worries.

martindow

Under floor heating is lovely under tiles in a bathroom!

plumb1_2

Ashok wrote:

As a family considering to put in under floor heating in the whole house we were concerned about any harmful side effects of doing this, like dryness. We were worried about air becoming dry and causing diseases like eczema and general feeling of dryness (as opposed to the normal feeling with central heating).

Is the above problem the same with electric or water pipes under floor heating?

We were also concerned about the furniture becoming dry and cracking due to the dryness. We wanted to find out if anyone has had their central heating radiators removed and replaced with under floor heating (either electric or water pipe) in the whole house.

I would appreciate it if you could comment on your experiences.

If you want to use the Wet type, hope you have a very large pocket, £20k, have your floors dug up, insulated, screeded, then new floor covering.
Wet type only realy recomended for new build or extensions.

Electric type, cheaper option, lay electric matting and replace carpets, and create instant fires.With the electric type you can only use a solid inflamable flooring.

totalguitar

plumb1 wrote:

With the electric type you can only use a solid inflamable flooring.

Not true. I've used a Devimat system and layed it on top of a wooden base, i would consider wood flammable and the carpet on top is certainly flammable.

catkins

Did the manufacturer say it was OK to do this kind of installation?

alanobrien

It has to be a specific Devimat type and they recommend
heat resistant compound is spread on the floor and allowed to set before laying the Devimat....thats the bit that would make me twitchy.


http://www.cjelectrical.co.uk/products/docs/devimat_faq.htm

totalguitar

catkins wrote:

Did the manufacturer say it was OK to do this kind of installation?

Yeah, it was designed for a wooden floor. I laid a hardboard base onto the floor boards then put the heating mat onto the hardboard (it's sticky backed), then put the compund on top to seal it. After 2 days drying it was fine.

gromituk

As I've said before, electric underfloor is a very expensive heating option because you have to use the most expensive fuel: peak rate electricity.

If there are any problems with dryness they would be the same with either form - after all, both heat the floors, and the hot water type doesn't leak!