Underfloor heating

carol7

We are currently undertaking a large renovation project and after finally deciding on which Bi Folding Doors {after many hours of research} i am now moving onto heating. We are having an extension built which will be open plan kitchen/dining living room approx 50 sqm. The rest of the house would be radiator gas central heating.I would like to have underfloor heating in the open plan area. I initially thought that gas would be the most cost effective but somebody else has said as it is not for the whole of the house then to consider electric. If we did electric would we be able to use solar energy? Any advice would be gratefully received.

MX5huggy

First insulate, insulate, insulate.

Wet underfloor heating is best paired with your gas boiler.

Electric will be cheaper to install but cost at least twice as much to run.

You could have PV solar panels that provide electric to your house which could be used by the underfloor or any other appliance, they are a good idea generally but won't provide much energy when you want the heating on ie after work on a November evening.

carol7

Thank you. I have read about the importance of insulation and have already discussed this with our builder. I think we will go with the wet system. Are you able to advise how cost effective this type of heating is when compared to radiator gas central heating as I understand it has to be kept on a lower temperature constantly. Also is it possible to control the radiators and underfloor heating seperately or will i have to have the radiators on constant as well?

MX5huggy

The running costs are very similar. You can have the controls as complex as you like but basically I would have 2 zones with separate time and temperature control on each, any heating engineer should be able to sort this.

daveyjp

And if it is a major refurb consider ripping out all existing ground floors and fitting UFH throughout.