In the fifth of the series of blog posts regarding retrofitting homes to be more sustainable, PJH are looking at underfloor heating retrofit. Beginning with an introduction and facts regarding underfloor heating, pros and cons, costs per m² and required space for the system.
Underfloor Heating Retrofit Introduction
Underfloor heating (UFH) retrofit is one of the most effective methods of distributing heat through a space due to it being spread across a room with the heat rising evenly. UFH comes in two forms; electric and water (wet).
The electric UFH system works by looping a thin heating wire under the floor covering that uses mains electricity to generate heat that radiates up through the flooring to the set temperature.
Wet UFH uses a series of pipes (typically 15mm – 18mm in profile) looping around the sub floor of a room typically within specifically designed trays or tie wrapped to flexible grids, feeding heated water through to reach the desired temperature. The heated water comes from a boiler or heat pump which is regulated by a manifold in order to control the temperature.
Without the need of conventional radiators, heat is evenly distributed throughout the room which frees wall space. UFH also enables greater efficiency compared to high temperature radiators as UFH works at lower temperatures requiring 15-40% less energy. These lower temperatures enable lower boiler flow and return temperatures which creates better efficiency within the heating system, this also means that air source heat pumps’ (ASHP) lower running temperatures are an ideal combination.
Traditional radiators require heat between 65-75°C due to the size of radiator to room ratio. The smaller surface areas need to be at a higher temperature in order to effectively radiate heat around a room, whereas underfloor heating only requires heat of 29°C or less depending on finishes and comfort level preferences.
Pros and Cons of Underfloor Heating Retrofit
Cost per m² of Underfloor Heating Retrofit
UFH for a new build project is something that is an easy decision when considering the ease of installation on a new project and the benefits it brings. For an underfloor heating retrofit project, there needs to be considerations for the system it intends to be paired with (traditional gas boiler/ASHP/ground source heat pump) along with the construction of the existing dwelling and available space. According to Checkatrade (2023) the following costs can be seen per m² for new builds and for retrofits;
Required space for system
The required space for the ‘behind the scenes’ of a wet underfloor heating retrofit system varies dependent upon the size of the system being fitted. The heat manifold which controls the flow throughout different rooms/zones can typically fit within a small ‘meter cupboard’, with some consideration it can be located to enable concealment within a stud wall or at least out of view as shown below.
An electric UFH system doesn’t require a heat manifold, just a thermostat/control unit and protected point at which it connects to the mains power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an underfloor heating retrofit can bring many benefits to a dwelling and even more when used in conjunction with other ‘eco upgrades’. The even distribution of heat within a room enables lower operating temperatures and therefore lower associated running costs. The different systems enable a larger range of dwellings to benefit from an underfloor heating retrofit with the ability to increase a dwelling’s efficiency in maintaining a comfortable living environment in addition to reducing your carbon footprint.
Ask us for advice
If you have a project in its infancy and want to have an informal chat regarding your options, feel free to contact us, we are always happy to provide friendly and knowledgeable advice. Get in touch on 0161 460 0382 or email the team at enquiry@pjhas.co.uk
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