What types of floor coverings are suitable with underfloor heating?
Most flooring is suitable. If you have a solid floor, you can lay tiles, carpet, lino or laminate wood on top.

How much can I expect to save on my fuel bills?
As the boiler is only heating the water to around half the temperature needed for radiators and the heat is directly distributed to where you are living; i.e the bottom half of the room, not the ceiling, you could save about 30-40% on your heating bills.

What energy sources can I use to run my UFH?
Boilers running on gas (mains or LPG), oil, or electricity, environmentally friendly heat sources such as heat pumps.

What kind of floor structure must I have?
UFH can be installed in solid or suspended floors. It works best in a screed as this conducts heat well. For solid floors insulation of 50 or 60 mm is laid on top of the oversite (base level). The UFH heating pipes are laid on top of this and then a 75mm layer of screed is laid on top. Finally the floor can be finished with tiles, carpet etc.

For a suspended floor (usually upstairs), there are two main methods.
1) Diffuser plates are laid between the joists. Then pipe is then laid in preformed grooves.
2) Insulation is laid usually between joists, then the pipes are attached to the side of the joists. Sometimes screed is still laid over the pipe. Then the flooring boards can be laid. The vital thing for UFH to work effectively is that the pipe (or screed) must be in contact with the wood of the joists or the flooring board. This is because wood is a much poorer conductor than screed. It is also important to use dry, well seasoned, wood as although the temperatures aren’t high UFH will have a drying effect. Mention to your flooring supplier that you are having UFH to check that the flooring is compatible.

Can I fit under floor heating myself?
Yes, full fitting instructions are included with each kit, and technical help is available if required.

Can I control my heating as easily as turning a radiator on and off?
The system is controlled by a programmable master thermostat, usually positioned in a central location. Each room has it’s own thermostat. This means the temperature can varied in each room. Each room is on it’s own circuit running back to the manifold, each circuit has a valve called an actuator that opens to allow warm water to flow when the thermostat calls for heat.

Obviously UFH does not heat up as quickly as a radiator and is often most effective when on continuously as it also cools down very slowly too.

What risk is there of a leak?
There are no joins in the pipe under the floor. The end of each heating circuit is brought above ground and attached to a manifold. This is always sited where there is access in case any maintenance work is needed.

What can go wrong with my UFH?
Nothing should go wrong with the UFH pipes (they are guaranteed for ten years). Obviously, similar to a radiator system, your boiler will need regular servicing.


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