Wunda underfloor heating

KiriSC

I am moving house and have to install heating as it is a doer upper. I did in my old house have a great deal on E7 but was out all day so 75% energy usage was off peak. Now I will be in my new property 4 or 5 days a week working from home so my usage pattern has changed a lot. As I am starting from scratch I am keen to avoid storage if possible because they are ugly, and the days when forecast for the weather is wrong are so annoying.

I really like the idea of underfloor heating being more radiant avoiding dust and supposedly more efficient (using lower heat temperatures, heating right part of room, no cold feet!), as well as not needing to have radiators taking up space on walls.

I got a quote from wundafloorheating.co.uk advertised in building and renovating magazine.

It is £3699.00 Plus vat, so a smidge under £4440 (excluding installation cost) for a detached 4 bed 1950's bungalow with a kitchen-diner, utility, small lounge, conservatory. We intend to insulate well.

The system I was quoted for is the wet over floor version that doesn't need screed but raises the floor a bit. Its supposedly low cost to install (offsetting higher parts cost) but works better they said than screed solution and they said their company was better than competitors because of larger size of the pipe (17mm) used and the lower distance in between the pipes. I want a system that works fully as a heating system and that seemed to make sense. They say they have a price guarantee.

After finding your site via your rointe thread I am shocked at the scams about in this market and wondering how far I can believe their claims and whether their price is inflated or typical of this new type of heating.

This wet system will of course need the expense of a boiler (and unfortunately not a gas one). The person who had directed me towards rointe put me off electric ufh as being too expensive but on the basis of your rointe thread with electric being all 100% efficient that cant be true. So I am wondering whether:

1. wunda is a fair price for such a wet system? If they are dodgy which brands can I trust?
2. If we go with wet is overfloor better than underfloor needing digging down and screed (I have concrete floors) ?
3. Is electric underfloor an option for me given the avoidance of big upfront cost of a boiler?
4. Is it possible that a low rate 24/7 electric tariff (about 9.6p at the moment after 30p standing charge with Npower online) using thermostats and electric ufh may be close to the cost to a E7 tariff which is pricier during peak times (Standing charge 20.160p a day then 16.422 per KWh peak and night rate 4.694p inc. VAT Npower billsaver)
5. If not is it possible to find an electric ufh system that works with E7?

Many thanks, this is all so bewildering!

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

I have been quite vocal in my criticism of heat pumps in UK - Mainly because of the inconsistancy of installations and the lack of manufacturer's involvement when you get a 'bad-un'.

However with the subsidies that appear to be available under RHI(Renewable Heat Initiative) it must make sense to consider heat pumps, especially as you intend to fit UFH(under floor heating) and will be home during the day.

Whilst it will cost more than the £4,500 - it might be a better bet.

TiredGeek

I'm no expert on this but I would think that unless they're putting some insulation, 50mm or so, between the pipes and the existing concrete floor then you'll lose a lot of the heat downwards rather than up into the house. To me that adds up to losing about 80mm off the ceiling height of the rooms. It'll make a big difference to doorways unless you're going to replace all those as well...
I would think the best option as far as operational efficiency is concerned would be to dig out the floors, insulate under and screed over with the UFH pipes inside. Obviously not the cheapest way forward.

As for a boiler, if you're going for UFH and you're going to be in the house a lot, then a heat pump would be a very good choice. Either GSHP if you have the ground space or ASHP would do what you want.

Electric heating is 100% efficient. Every penny you spend on electric is converted to heat. Unfortunately, electric isn't cheap per kWh compared to gas or even oil. With a heat pump you should average about 250% efficiency. If the RHI scheme does eventually come into force with subsidies something like what they're promising you'll be quids in with a heat pump system.

You need some quotes from builders for ripping the concrete floors out before you can make an informed decision

dullnote

Hi I have used WANDA under flooring and I too was concerned about the lower price, but I can tell you I had no issue with the system, I fitted it myself, phone a couple of time for advice during commission company happy to help. I would use them again.

Regarding heating I have just changed my LPG boiler to ASHP, in the last two weeks and at this early stage happy. LPG cost £1992a year estimated cost for heat pump £780, however if it comes in under 1k I will be over the moon.

Regarding RHI if it com in fine and well if not I wil still save money, also house now nice and warm all the time, ii also work from home therefore don't mind house warm all day.

Do a lot of research on ASHP and pick a company that does not give you Bull

Dullnote