Underfloor Heating - What Can Go Wrong And How To Fix It

Undoubtedly, Underfloor Heating technology used today is by far a more economical method of Heating one's home. The home is heated by heated water that flows through pipes or by electric cables. When Underfloor Heating systems are installed they are often installed under a raised floor with access hatches. These access hatches allow access to the Heating system for maintenance or troubleshooting, in the event of a problem. Depending on the type of Underfloor Heating system there are a few things that could possibly go wrong. For example, if water pipes are used to heat the home the pipes could develop a leak. This is especially true if the heat has not been used in quite some time, with water left standing in the pipes. In this case the first thing to do is to check for any possible leaks. You will need to open the access hatches to your Heating system, observe and check for any visible dampness under the raised floor. If the Heating system appears to be losing water it will be necessary to diligently locate any leaks. Yet another malfunction is noticing that the Heating system does not get hot enough to warm the floors. In this case you'll want to immediately check the rating of your boiler. If the rating is insufficient, it could be that the boiler is not capable of getting hot enough to heat your home. If on the other hand your Heating system uses electric cables this is an entirely different matter. Instead of using heated water through pipes an electric element is designed and positioned under the floor. AS the electric current flows through this element it heats and transfers the heat to the floor. There are, unfortunately, several things which can affect the functioning of electrical Underfloor Heating. First, it could be a matter related to the fuses and wiring of the electrical element itself. Secondly, and definitely most dreaded, are rodents. Damages caused by rodents such as mice or house rats or even a wayward squirrel that found his way in, could damage wires of the system. Regardless of the type of system your home is equipped with, it is necessary that you examine and ultimately determine the cause of the malfunction. If in fact you have a heated water system, leaks in pipes can be very costly and damaging to your home. If you are very lucky and the leak is not located around a connecting joint it will be a simpler fix. In this case you can purchase plumbers tape from a plumbing supply store. Wet the tape thoroughly in water and wrap securely around the leaking pipe. If, on the other hand you are unfortunate and the leak is around a connecting joint, you will need to use a plumbing product called epoxy resin. Ultimately, the best and most desired repair is to replace the section that is leaking. If this a financially feasible option, it is your best bet. In the event you have electric Underfloor Heating, in some cases it could be a simple case of just a blown fuse. If that is the case a simple fix of replacing the fuse will solve the issue. Unfortunately, in the largest majority of cases though, it is damages caused by mice and rats chewing through electric wires. This of course, results in a short in the wiring system. In this case you need to replace the sections of affected wire. Following that it is necessary to rid the area of the rodents by poisoning the rodents.

In Floor Heating For Your Comfort

Comfort is the main objective of any Heating system installed in a home. When choosing in Floor Heating systems that comfort is kicked up a notch or two. The following are the benefit to be derived from hydronic Heating systems. 1. Multi zone function: When using radiant Heating it allows for adjustment of the temperature at the multiple zones controls that are installed throughout the home. If you and your spouse or children have ever battled over control of the thermostat, you will be relieved that each zone can be controlled separately including the bedrooms, family room, kitchen and so forth, which is sure to reduce the occurrence of battle scars. 2. Tile Floors are particularly bothersome when touching bare feet to them. That cold can radiate upward throughout the room causing incredible discomfort for those feeling the chill. The radiant heat that comes with in Floor Heating takes this frigid element out of the way and even your pets will love the difference it makes. 3. Hydronic Heating helps to balance the humidity levels of the home because it will not dry the air in the home the way other Heating methods can do. When you no longer have to worry about forced air Heating robbing your home of the already reduced moisture in the air caused by the cold of winter, you will be much more comfortable in your home. 4. Noise pollution will be a thing of the past, at least noisy Heating equipment will no longer add to it. A hydronic Heating system will not be heard kicking on and off during at night which may mean that you will get extra sleep. The only evidence that your Heating system is working is the warm temperatures that keep your home comfortable. 5. Without the air disturbances that are found with traditional forced air heaters, you will not have to worry so much about dust and allergens finding their way around your home to stir up allergies as is often the case with conventional Heating systems. No longer will you have to schedule in frequent filter changes either because there is no need for those with radiant heat. 6. Savings on energy bills will be noticed immediately after installing your own hydronic Heating system. Since water conducts heat better than air, you will realize this savings quickly and continuously. In Floor Heating transfers heat throughout your home at a reduced cost, and since there is no change to the air pressure inside the home forcing air to escape, even poorly insulated and drafty homes can benefit. 7. In Floor Heating systems are versatile enough to be installed in any configuration that suits the individual home. Hydronic Heating is adaptable to any fuel type as well. That means that if you choose electricity, oil, natural gas or propane to heat your home with, you have that option.

The Inner World of In-Floor Heating

The idea of In-Floor Heating isn't new, but it has gained popularity as of late. The general idea is to provide heat to a home, but to do so through the floor rather than through Heating ducts. You will essentially have special tubing embedded into a concrete foundation, and heated water will be flowed through the tubing. Water can be substituted with food-grade antifreeze mixture if you so desire, and in the end it will serve to heat the entire mass of the concrete floor.

Benefits of Heated Flooring

Produces even heat unlike conventional methods

Warms room in it's entirety

Provides high levels of comfort without wasting energy

Lower monthly fuel bill

Warm water can be generated by means of solar panels

In hydronic Heating there are three steps. The first step involves the boiler system using conduction to quickly heat the water. In the second step, hot liquid is pumped throughout the house and will serve to heat the various flooring types. Finally the flooring surfaces, having been heated, will actually radiate into the entire room.

In the end what you will have is a consistent temperature that will radiate from the floor in addition to any solid objects that happen to be touching the floor. Keep in mind that these solid objects could be a wooden chair or even a couch. Just imagine having the benefits of a heated chair without having a heated cushion. That is without a doubt one of the greatest features of the heated floor, and you will undoubtedly find that it is much cheaper to heat the floor in this fashion.

The upfront expenses of the hydronic Heating system will be a bit much, but when you are buying such a system you will need to take into account the lifetime costs. Believe it or not, using in floor Heating you will be able to save between 20% and 40% using a radiant Heating system. When held in comparison with the costs of a traditional Heating system, you will more than likely find this to be acceptable.

You are probably thinking that it cannot get much better at this point, and here you would be wrong. As a matter of fact, it does get quite better with the fact that the government has offered tax incentives for those who install energy efficient in floor Heating. That being said, hydronic Heating will save you more than your power bill -- it will save you on on your taxes. This is a great reason to install these floors, and you will soon find that they provide you an incredible level of comfort.

Before you can actually take advantage of this method, you are advised to speak with a Heating and air conditioning specialist. There are many tricks you can use to reduce the cost of your system as far as your power bill is concerned, for instance using a concrete slab would be much cheaper than using a hardwood floor in the long run. It is up to you of course, and in the end, you are the one who will have to be concerned with the power bill. That being said, it's time for you to make your choice and heat your floor! It's only a matter of time before you stop paying and start saving.

Types of Underfloor Heating Systems

If you have been looking for new and better ways for Heating your home, Underfloor Heating is a cost effective as well as an energy efficient solution to warm up your homes. It is a central Heating system which achieves a desirable condition inside your home during the winter. It is the most popular Types of Heating Systems preferred by many home owners as the system efficiently provides an even thermal comfort around your home. If you have been planning to switch to a modern Heating system, then make sure that you seek the advice of experts who are into manufacturing and installation of high quality Underfloor Heating.

Types of Heating Systems

The two basic Types of Heating are electric Underfloor Heating Systems and water Underfloor Heating Systems. The type you choose will depend upon whether it is a new under construction build or installation to your already existing home.

A. Water based Heating: uses warm water from a centrally located Heating system. Water is pumped through pipes that are laid beneath the floor.

B. Electric Heating: uses cables linked to a thermostat and main power supply unit. The cables are fixed to self adhesive mesh mats which are spread out and glued to the floor.

Many architects suggest their customers to include a good quality Heating system into their home plan, not only as a measure to fight intense cold during the winter but also for many other reasons.

The top six reasons why you too should choose a modern Underfloor Heating are:-

1. It is one of the best home upgrades.
2. Intelligent decision to include in your new home plan
3. It increases the resale of value of your property
4. It is a very cost effective solution.
5. It can be customised to your specifications.
6. It is environment friendly.

Benefits:

1. Distributes heat evenly
2. Consumes less energy
3. Does not leak
4. Offers better control
5. Insulated cables for safety

Apart from these, electric Underfloor Systems do not interfere with the aesthetics of your home. The convenience of having them under the floors helps you save space. One of the best features of this system is that they remain concealed under the floor without hindering your movement around the house. The system is designed to emit heat in a gentle way without letting any additional energy going waste. This system reduces water Heating costs, because unlike the conventional Systems, it uses water at a lower temperature.

In Floor Heating For Your Comfort



Comfort
is the main objective of any Heating system installed in a home. When choosing in Floor Heating systems that Comfort is kicked up a notch or two. The following are the benefit to be derived from hydronic Heating systems.

1. Multi zone function: When using radiant Heating it allows for adjustment of the temperature at the multiple zones controls that are installed throughout the home. If you and your spouse or children have ever battled over control of the thermostat, you will be relieved that each zone can be controlled separately including the bedrooms, family room, kitchen and so forth, which is sure to reduce the occurrence of battle scars.

2. Tile Floors are particularly bothersome when touching bare feet to them. That cold can radiate upward throughout the room causing incredible disComfort for those feeling the chill. The radiant heat that comes with in Floor Heating takes this frigid element out of the way and even your pets will love the difference it makes.

3. Hydronic Heating helps to balance the humidity levels of the home because it will not dry the air in the home the way other Heating methods can do. When you no longer have to worry about forced air Heating robbing your home of the already reduced moisture in the air caused by the cold of winter, you will be much more Comfortable in your home.

4. Noise pollution will be a thing of the past, at least noisy Heating equipment will no longer add to it. A hydronic Heating system will not be heard kicking on and off during at night which may mean that you will get extra sleep. The only evidence that your Heating system is working is the warm temperatures that keep your home Comfortable.

5. Without the air disturbances that are found with traditional forced air heaters, you will not have to worry so much about dust and allergens finding their way around your home to stir up allergies as is often the case with conventional Heating systems. No longer will you have to schedule in frequent filter changes either because there is no need for those with radiant heat.

6. Savings on energy bills will be noticed immediately after installing your own hydronic Heating system. Since water conducts heat better than air, you will realize this savings quickly and continuously. In Floor Heating transfers heat throughout your home at a reduced cost, and since there is no change to the air pressure inside the home forcing air to escape, even poorly insulated and drafty homes can benefit.

7. In Floor Heating systems are versatile enough to be installed in any configuration that suits the individual home. Hydronic Heating is adaptable to any fuel type as well. That means that if you choose electricity, oil, natural gas or propane to heat your home with, you have that option.