Underfloor Heating

typeractive

Ok - first, I know this subject has been covered...a lot! I've used the search facility to try and find out some of the points I'd like to know, but they don't quite fully answer them for me. I remember asking on here initially if I should use a wet system or an electric system.

Undoubtedly after mulling it over, I would have gone for the wet system, though only if the area was substantial (I was just going to do my kitchen, so it wasn't worth it IMO). If I did the entire ground floor then perhaps.

Anyway, I’ve decided to do my bathroom (5.5m2 from my calcs). It’s upstairs and over floorboards. I think this is the only room worth doing in my house, as the others are either very large on concrete (eg. Kitchen 15.2m2) or just very small (en suite 2.4m2). Given the facts it's on joists, it's not a massive sized area, and I want a little bit of luxury for relaxing in here. I can also insulate between the joists underneath to keep it snug!

Though, what I’d like to know is: Where did all you guys with underfloor electric heating buy your mats from? What recommendations can you suggest? Is there a good place to buy from with a good quality product at a reasonable price? Are there any to avoid?
Thanks!
:beer:

typeractive

Anyone? Surely someone can tell me a good place?

sillygoose

I have used a few times, and had happy feedback from other I have recommended them too, a company called Ambient who are specialists, lots of useful information on the site. Mats are superior quality and better value than big brands, they sell all the stuff you will need.

The kits are very useful way of buying things, a 200watt per metre (1kw total) 5m2 kit is £183 inc delivery and a thermostat, I would upgrade for an extra £10 to the TRS8100 Touch screen controller, its fantastic, very neat and easy.

If you have an actual 5.5m of clear floor space then 5m should be fine, with mats its almost impossible to 'lose' any excess so its always better to downsize the mat a bit to be sure, if you have lots of fittings to go around the loose wire, taped down as required type of heating is easier to fit. Just be VERY - VERY sure of your measurements, one you start laying the mat its too late to try and send it back and if you get to the end with too much your stuffed!!!

Note on th site home screen there is information on a code for 5% off on orders over £175, don't forget to use it.

As its a bathroom you will need to budget a qualified electrician to wire it up and certify it. At 1kw I'm sure a spur could be taken from the ring main (as long as ring is RCD protected) to a switched fuse spur like this which then feeds power to the controller which powers the floor. A decent electrician will be able to advise you on placement of these items within the regulations.

typeractive

Sillygoose, thanks VERY much for the reply. I need to do some more reading, though it is GREAT to have a recommendation, and also that not only yourself, but others have been happy with it.

The 5.5m2 is the TOTAL size of the floorspace. Within that, I have the bath, shower, toilet and basin. So obviously I will have a lot of interuptions. Perhaps I should go for a smaller mat? I might knock up a drawing and email the company for some advice on what is recommended? I will put up a drawing on here too.

I contacted my electrician about it all before coming on here. He has done quite a few kits, though he said I'd have to buy it before he comes back as all the kit holds the cables etc. Deffo somethign I wouldn't want to mess around with myself.

Cheers for the feedback - it's really appreciated!

thebaldwindowfitter

www.gap.uk.com

Bikertov

We had both wet and electric installed when we renovated out house.

Wet was put in downstairs in the kitchen - it was an extention with solid concrete floor, so the pipes were buried during construction work.

We then put in Electric mats in the upstairs bathrooms. Much smaller rooms, so electric the best way to go. Also, it you are going onto floorboards, electric is the only real option - wet systems need the solid floor to absorb and radiate the heat.

I'm not sure on the make of mats - it was the builder that put them in. BUT, it is crucial to get a good controller. That way, you can set multiple ON/OFF times each day, with set temperature targets. Otherwise, you have little control and could be paying to heat all day long - even when you don't need to.

As far as the area is concerned, you dont need to cover every nook and crany - just the main open space infront of the bath, sink and toilet, ie where you would ever stand.

typeractive

Thank you for the replies.

Sillygoose, do you have any gains to make from recommending me that company? The reason I ask is from an emaileed response with regards to some help when I contacted them late last night:

"Hello Mr xxx,

Mr Goose is out of the office until Monday, i will mark this for his urgent attention on his return.

Kind Regards"

If so, with the greatest respect I'm not sure that is the correct procedure of touting for business on this site, and I am not sure I am getting the 'best' advice. It may be a huge coincidence - though unlikely?

You may have a great product, though I'm sure people would prefer a much more honest approach if that really is the case.

If it's a great product and excellent service then I may still be interested in buying from the company, though I'd have to have a think about it.

Does anyone else have any further recommendations for comparison?

Cheers

Innys

typeractive wrote: »

Thank you for the replies.

Sillygoose, do you have any gains to make from recommending me that company? The reason I ask is from an emaileed response with regards to some help when I contacted them late last night:

"Hello Mr xxx,

Mr Goose is out of the office until Monday, i will mark this for his urgent attention on his return.

Kind Regards"

You gotta admire the chutzpah

sillygoose

typeractive wrote: »

Thank you for the replies.

Sillygoose, do you have any gains to make from recommending me that company? The reason I ask is from an emaileed response with regards to some help when I contacted them late last night:

"Hello Mr xxx,

Mr Goose is out of the office until Monday, i will mark this for his urgent attention on his return.

Kind Regards"

If so, with the greatest respect I'm not sure that is the correct procedure of touting for business on this site, and I am not sure I am getting the 'best' advice. It may be a huge coincidence - though unlikely?

You may have a great product, though I'm sure people would prefer a much more honest approach if that really is the case.

If it's a great product and excellent service then I may still be interested in buying from the company, though I'd have to have a think about it.

Does anyone else have any further recommendations for comparison?

Cheers

Hi,

How bizarre! I can categorically state I have NO CONNECTION with the company I recomended..at all. Apart from being an impressed customer. I wish I did own it, probably be a lot richer than being just a poor over worked engineer!:think:

As a matter of record my nickname is a throwback to the early days of the internet when a 14400 modem connection was considered fast and the nearest thing to a forum were the IRC network chatrooms. I was chatting with friends once in a room and someone said to me you are such a 'silly goose', for fun I changed my username to that and well, its sort of stuck as 15 years later I am still using it.

As to Mr Goose at Ambient... I presume thats his actual name!

Its always right to be cautious, I am, but in this case, pure coincidence!

Regards,

SG.

typeractive

sillygoose wrote: »

Hi,

How bizarre! I can categorically state I have NO CONNECTION with the company I recomended..at all. Apart from being an impressed customer. I wish I did own it, probably be a lot richer than being just a poor over worked engineer!:think:

As a matter of record my nickname is a throwback to the early days of the internet when a 14400 modem connection was considered fast and the nearest thing to a forum were the IRC network chatrooms. I was chatting with friends once in a room and someone said to me you are such a 'silly goose', for fun I changed my username to that and well, its sort of stuck as 15 years later I am still using it.

As to Mr Goose at Ambient... I presume thats his actual name!

Its always right to be cautious, I am, but in this case, pure coincidence!

Regards,

SG.

wow - talk about coincidence then! I'm pleased you didn't take offence at my post, as it wasn't aimed in a nasty reply manner. Talk about bizarre though!

so maybe I should still see what they say!

Cheers

sillygoose

typeractive wrote: »

wow - talk about coincidence then! I'm pleased you didn't take offence at my post, as it wasn't aimed in a nasty reply manner. Talk about bizarre though!

so maybe I should still see what they say!

Cheers

No problem, your right to query. Actually its a bit of a 'mission' for me as my first installation was a conservatory that turned into a bit of a mine field. I have a quote here from a company recommended to me to install it and do the tiling for £1824 + electrics call it £2000!!!... People will often recommend the 'big name' brands sold in DIY and tile stores and whilst they do the job, the prices are outrageous. I ended up doing it myself spending £450 in all on 10m2 200watt heating mat kit, superior controller and insulation boards 3 times thicker than the tilers ones. About £200 on tiles, adhesives and grout and couple of days my labour. It works remarkably as a primary heat source and my tiling is nearly as good as any pro's I have seen, backed by others opinions too.

You are right, there are lots of suppliers, I looked at lots. The reason I can recommend Ambient specifically is I have actually used them myself and all is good which is what the forums are about really.

Hope you get a good deal, wherever you go. Cheers :beer: