Whether you decide to get your underfloor heating system professionally installed, or do it yourself with an underfloor heating kit, you’ll be extremely thankful for it this winter. As we descend into the cold British winter, you may find yourself tempted to keep your heating on high. But Is this really a good idea, and is it even necessary?
What is an underfloor heating system?
In a nutshell, underfloor heating can be an electrical or water based heating system that is laid down underneath your floors. This allows for even distribution of heat throughout your home from the floor upwards. Many of those who are debating about whether to go for underfloor heating systems or radiators will decide to choose underfloor heating. Why?
- It can save a lot of money on bills
- Invisible heating systems heat houses more effectively
- It is more aesthetically pleasing.
- It doesn’t require much maintenance compared to a traditional radiator system.
So once you have decided to invest in underfloor heating, you might be wondering which underfloor heating system is the best choice? Both electrical and water-based systems are proven to be equally effective so it really depends on your own preference.
Should you leave your underfloor heating on all day?
It is advised that in the depths of winter, an underfloor heating system should be kept on at all times. Although it should be at different temperatures depending on usage and activity in the house. This is because underfloor heating can take two to three hours to warm up, so it is best to not completely turn it off. Especially when it is extremely chilly out. Keeping it on at a low temperature consistently will ensure that your home is heated faster when you need it.
Use your thermostats effectively to avoid high bills
Though we advise keeping it on at all times during the coldest parts of winter, it doesn’t need to be at a consistently high temperature. Keep it on at a reduced heat. You’ll find when you do need to raise the temperature, it will go up to a comfortable level much more quickly.
It could be worth investing in a smart thermostat so you can programme your underfloor heating system from anywhere using your mobile device. This will give you more control over your system and also keeps your energy bills as low as possible. Using a smart thermostat means you can determine the temperature you’d like in each room. You can also programme temperatures remotely for different times of the day. It can save you up to 25% on your energy bills, so is definitely worth considering. There are also many other ways to reduce your bills with underfloor heating.
Schedule the temperature depending on your preferences and requirements
Most people like to wake up to a warm home as it makes getting out of bed easier, so programme it to raise the temperature twenty minutes before you wake up. Once everyone is out you can schedule it to go down to the ‘resting’ temperature for when nobody is home. Set it up to be warm and toasty in time for your return home.
Make sure your home is well insulated to avoid heat loss
There are many benefits to a well insulated home. The effects of underfloor heating systems can be maximised by proper insulation. If you find that it’s not heating your room effectively, this is probably due to poor insulation. The better insulated your home is, the less you will need to amp up the temperature of your underfloor heating. Make sure that any gaps or cracks are dealt without to allow your home to be as energy efficient as possible.
Heat the rooms you use most
A bit of an obvious one. For a larger home, you don’t need to keep the underfloor heating on all winter in every room. If you know that you are going to be using a rarely used room on any specific day, just switch on the heating a few hours in advance.