Thomas Howling provides expert advice on effective electric underfloor heating design
A WELL-DESIGNED electric underfloor heating system is the foundation of lasting comfort, efficiency and reliability.
So, as a leading underfloor heating supplier to retail, we know how important thoughtful design is – which is why we’re providing our insight into electric underfloor heating design.
Thoroughly planned designs
The heating elements of electric underfloor heating are a set size, so cannot be shortened or extended on site. This means planning in advance and sizing correctly is key. To do this, create a plan of your floor to consider the layout of the underfloor heating system before installation.
When determining the measured heating area, you should include all parts of the room with non-floor-mounted units or furniture on feet or wheels, such as wall-hung toilet pans and free-standing wardrobes.
However, you should exclude any fixed floor-mounted units, such as floor-mounted toilet pans or kitchen units.
Once you have the total free floor area, you should deduct a border from the perimeter. We recommend a minimum 50 mm border for small rooms and a 100 mm border for rooms above 10 sqm.
This will leave the ‘NET’ free floor area of the room, which will be the maximum usable floor area to cover.
Once you have outlined this plan, select the correct product size, based on your suitable floor build-up and system required. It should be the closest to, but smaller than (rounded down), your calculated ‘NET’ floor area of the room.
Choosing the right product
Electric underfloor heating systems are primarily sold as warm flooring rather than heating solutions, but if the electrical loading is greater than the heat loss of the room, the system can provide space heating as well as the warm floor comfort.
When installing in bathrooms, we recommend using electric underfloor heating alongside another heating source, like a heated towel rail. A warmer room temperature reduces heat from the underfloor heating system dissipating off the floor surface, so the floor feels warmer quicker and retains the warmth for longer.
Utilising thermal tile backing insulation boards will also reduce downward heat loss into the sub-floor, improving the responsiveness of the heating system and reducing system running costs.
Design support from Amber
Here at Amber, we provide free design support for all customers. Our knowledgeable team is on-hand to help you get the best from your system.
