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With the days getting colder and getting out of bed becoming harder, there’s nothing better than a warm floor to keep your feet comfy. But while floor heating solutions used to be a luxurious feature in the past, they’ve become an extremely popular trend in new housing.
Each year, more homeowners decide to install radiant floor heating systems, and there are plenty of reasons for that. What’s more, since they’ve become more common and technology more advanced, their prices have significantly decreased, making them much more accessible.
Still, many people think of them as a fancy addition to a house heating system. What they don’t know is that radiant systems can significantly increase their heat distribution. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?
If you’ve thought about installing an underfloor heating solution in your home, but still have some concerns, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find answers for all your questions regarding floor heating solutions.
1. Costs
When it comes to costs that come with s, it all depends on the project and the provider. Let’s say you (as you should) purchase directly from top-leading decorating and hardware manufacturers.
If that’s the case, the overall costs should fall somewhere between 600-800 pounds for a 20 m2, including the installation process. Of course, as mentioned before, the price will vary depending on a system’s manufacturer, type of underfloor heating, building’s age, and installation costs.
With that in mind, prepare for an investment of at least 10 pounds per square foot. It also depends on which type of floor heating solution you choose, electric or water-based. The latter is more expensive but can be plugged into your existing heating system.
2. Installation Time
Installation time is probably one of the major cons of radiant floor systems. Again, it depends on your provider and the type of heating you choose. Installing an electric heat system, for example, takes less time than water-based.
Usually, it takes between two to four days, depending on the room and flooring. And keep in mind that we’re talking about an electric-based solution here. For a water-based radiant floor heating system, the time can be much longer, especially if your house isn’t adjusted.
3. Maintenance
One of the most significant advantages of underfloor radiant heating systems is that they don’t require practically any maintenance. Once installed, you get the 30-year guarantee, providing you with total peace of mind when it comes to any technical issues.
What’s more, if you purchase the system from a reliable manufacturer, it will provide you with instant help in case anything unfortunate happens.
4. Energy-Efficiency
Okay, but what about the long run. After all, you don’t want to install underfloor heating only to keep your feet warm. You want it to save money on your overall heating cost. So, are electric radiant floor heating systems energy-efficient? The answer is yes.
First of all, floor heating provides your home with warmth without any so-called cold spots. Contrary to the traditional radiators, underfloor heat covers the entire floor area, ensuring the whole floor gets sufficiently heated.
Thanks to that, it warms your house much more efficiently. What’s more, if you use a reliable thermostat, it will prevent the floor from overheating, providing you with the exact temperature you want.
All this makes radiant floor heating much more cost-effective than traditional solutions. In fact, it can save you even up to 15 % on your heating bills, so if you’re still not convinced, the fact that the floor radiant heating system uses less energy should do the trick.
5. Comfort
Since the heat comes from under your floor, it eliminates the need for radiators. That means more space you can use, more home design possibilities, and much less cleaning. The interesting fact, clearing your home from radiators can save you even up to 10 % of space.
What’s more, since it works with any kind of flooring, you don’t have to worry about spending more money on additional upgrades.
The best thing, however, is that the newest radiant floor heating systems come with entirely wireless control. All you need is a special smartphone app to regulate the temperature in your house. You can also programme your thermostat to increase or lower the temperature at specific times of the day.
Conclusion
As you can see, installing floor heating in your home is much more than just a fancy feature to keep your feet warm. Sure, it has its pros and cons, but you can say the same about any other heating solution. And when it comes to heated floors, advantages exceed disadvantages.
When installed well, a water or electric radiant floor heating system can run efficiently for many years, without any excessive maintenance. What’s more, it distributes heat much more effectively, lowering your bills.
All of that makes floor heating solutions worth every penny, especially if you look at the long-term benefits.
