underfloor heating

flora1

Hi there! Need more advice please! We are considering getting underfloor heating in our conservatory/diner before polished porcelian tiles are put down. The tile shop recommended a system called "warm up". However since speaking to different tilers we are getting conflicting advice as to which is the best. Some say "Devi mat" is better than warm up while other even refuse to lay a particular system.
What are other people's experience with underfloor heating?
Are there any professionals out there who can enlighten me?
Don't want to make an expensive mistake!!!

purpleimp

Hello, I'm not sure about brands and installation but something to bear in mind is how bad it is for your circulation!

Don't get me wrong it is a brilliant thing to have as a heating system and really energy efficient if it's hot water fed, however, when I was in college I was doing an art course and the gallery/studio we used had underfloor heating, it was lovely and cosy but after 8 hours at an easel my ankles were swollen massively and feet were aching for hours(this was as a fit 17/18 year old), the first job I had after leaving college was a shop with underfloor heating and again, even walking around the shop all day had the same result so I would be hesitant to reccomend it to anyone for a kitchen or an area where you are likely to be stood/walking around for long periods of time.

If it is not for an area where you will be standing or walking around in for hours on end it's great though!

HTH.xxx

secretdancer

My wife works for an electricity supplier and she has told me horror stories of electricty bills going through the roof after underfloor heating has been installed. Be wary!

JennyW_2

yes we have decided against it too due to the costs. Would a conservatory need this heating? I thought it would be warm enough?

I think it needs building regs approval too?

Just make sure you wear your slippers

apples1

We have underfloor heating in our barn conversion. Its wonderful as it heats the rooms up well (they have very high ceilings) without feeling stuffy. I have not experienced any of the problems with it making feet ache or anything and I never get a chance to sit down!!! Its lovely not standing on freezing cold tiles!

Only downside and its a big one is that ours is expensive to run. Ours runs on oil as we don't get gas here. I assume if its not run on oil then it would be cheaper. Also if you are just having it in one room I doubt it would be too much of a problem.

One thing to consider is that it does not give instant bursts of heat. You need to keep it ticking over with the room thermostat on low to cut it out when it gets warm enough. If you turn it off it takes quite a while for rooms to reach desired temperature. Overall I would not hesitate to have underfloor heating again.

~Loz~

I have underfloor heating and was told nothing but bad stories about the cost, not sure why because i find it cheaper than the heaters i had in my old house.

If you are constantly turing it on and off it will cost more because it has to warm up each time, but i put it on and just turn it up or down depending on our preference at the time.

flora1

Thanks everyone for your advice. Much appreciated!!!