Features And Benefits Of Underfloor Heating Elements

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Underfloor heating device
• Conditions for functioning
• Benefit
• Comparison of underfloor heating systems
• Temperature and power maxima
• Hypoallergenic floor
• Smart choice

From the very name "warm floor" one can already draw conclusions about its purpose and the need for use. They are becoming more and more popular nowadays. But it is worth paying attention to the reviews of those people who have encountered such a system and its functioning before the installation.

Underfloor heating device

Before you start familiarizing yourself with the warm floor, you should study its device, as well as its capabilities during operation. The system is divided into two main types - electric and water. Each of them can be adapted to different conditions.

For apartment buildings, the only possible in fact remains an electric underfloor heating, and a water one - exclusively for private households. In addition, electric floors are distinguished with a different heating element, which can be:

• Heating mat. In a simple word about the device of the heating mat, it is a thin cable that is glued to the surface of the fiberglass. No additional floor screed is required. Even if a warm floor is installed in the kitchen. They are most often located under the floor covering.
• Heating cable. But this is not a standard cable, since in the process of electric current flowing through it, the system heats up. The heating value is determined per cable heating unit. It is distinguished by the simplicity of the device. The cable tie is arranged at different bending angles. After the supply of electricity, it heats up and transfers heat to the screed, and then to the apartment. All possible emerging deficiencies can be eliminated at the installation stage. In the future, it remains only to enjoy the high-quality work of the warm floor. One of the main points is the kitchen floor screed, which must meet the technology requirements.

• Special film in the form of infrared heating. Elements capable of conducting current are located inside the film. When it flows, infrared radiation is emitted, which heats the floor and the air in the room. It is also installed under the floor covering.

  

It is these elements that will determine the device of the warm floor.

Conditions for functioning

Before installing the underfloor heating system, you should perform a high-quality leveling of the floor in the kitchen. This will allow in the future to implement a full-fledged flooring of any kind of floor covering. But if a floor screed is performed, then the entire system can be placed in it. A warm floor can only function fully under certain conditions, which include:

1. High quality insulation under the screed. Heat should be constantly directed inside the room, and not go down, that is, be lost. If you run the bottom layer, then the heating efficiency will be maximum.

   

2. A water-heated floor has a high hydraulic resistance. For this purpose, a circulation pump is installed in the system. It will not be superfluous to even make several of them to relieve the load.
3. Heating from the underfloor heating system must be performed over the entire area of the room. Otherwise, you may encounter damage to the floor covering over time due to the lack of uniformity of heat transfer.
4. The heat carrier or cable must have a temperature set by the requirements, which must not be higher than the permissible standard. This also applies to the temperature of the warm floor, which is within 28 degrees.

Benefit

During the operation of any type of warm floor, there is a collision with its various positive qualities, due to which it is so popular among builders. The room temperature is evenly distributed over the height from the floor. Moreover, its level is within the normal range for human sensation. The heating temperature of the floor covering is correct, and, therefore, the entire system is hypoallergenic. No foreign substances or odors are emitted from the base.

The heat level is maintained and the energy and fuel consumption is reduced several times compared to other heating options. The warm floor in the kitchen does not create unnecessary problems during operation and does not spoil the interior of the room. The system is hidden in the floor, invisible, but useful.

For some rooms, underfloor heating creates certain positive qualities. This is especially true in the bathroom, where you need warmth under your feet. When combined with floor coverings such as ceramic tiles, natural stone, porcelain stoneware, heat stays on the surface for a longer period of time. You will never feel like standing on a cold floor after taking a shower. But it is very important to think about how to level the floor. The quality of the installation of the floor heating system will also depend on its quality.

Rooms such as a bath or kitchen are very often faced with dampness and high humidity. When the floor is heated with high quality, you can forget about these shortcomings. The same goes for the appearance of mold and mildew. If it appears at all, then getting rid of it is very problematic. Underfloor heating allows you to forget about it, preventing even its appearance.

Comparison of underfloor heating systems

There are certain difficulties in comparing different underfloor heating systems, but in turn, this is not entirely difficult to do. Some even negative manifestations of the system itself in the subsequent process of installation and implementation of the planned can turn into advantages.

The disadvantages include such an additional action as a dry floor screed in the kitchen. But, in turn, it can be supplemented with various design solutions: lighting, adding color, creating a podium, making the interior more attractive.

A cable floor, unlike, for example, heating mats, consumes less power if you create equal conditions for them. This is clearly manifested when the system is installed in damp rooms, as well as when heating loggias. In the latter version, the power consumed will be approximately two times less.

From all this, we can conclude that the main difference between underfloor heating systems lies in the power consumption of electricity. But when using additional methods of work management, these indicators are reduced.

Infrared floors should be included in a separate category, since they are heated somewhat differently. The rays emitted by the film heat up all objects in the room, furniture, and also the person himself. Not to mention heating the floor itself. This shows the efficiency of heat transfer, which exceeds that of other similar systems. But many are afraid to create an additional source of electromagnetic waves in the room. This is the main reason for choosing a cable underfloor heating.

Temperature and power maxima

The work of underfloor heating is related to the rules and regulations. This applies primarily to the temperature, for which the limit is set at 28 degrees. If you create large indicators, then harm to human health will begin to appear. In those places where people are constantly there, a rate of 26 degrees is generally recommended. Exceeding the norm is permissible only in those places where temperatures can drop. This applies to places along the walls, near the windows. Here you can raise the heat level up to 33 degrees. The same applies to bathrooms, where people go out after a shower and are often without any shoes.

As for the power of the selected underfloor heating, it is usually 80W per square meter. But if the room is actively losing heat, then this power may not be enough. This also applies to small spaces (cramped bathroom, bedroom with a large bed). Here the underfloor heating system fits only a small area of the floor. Its effectiveness is significantly reduced. Therefore, you have to look for ways to eliminate such errors in work.

Hypoallergenic floor

Many people think about whether a warm floor is needed, what are its main advantages. A very important factor in this direction is hypoallergenicity. When using it, there will be no dust sticking to the surface of the floor covering. If the temperature of the heater is more than 55 degrees, dust particles are dry distilled. After that, they begin to rise up along with the heated air. The airways, their mucous membranes, begin to irritate, and a feeling of dryness begins to appear in the throat. All this negatively affects the health of any person.

Health is affected by various types of dust in the air. Irritation increases with an increase in their volume, which occurs at temperatures above 55 degrees. Using a warm floor instead of heating radiators, reduces the manifestation of allergic reactions to almost zero.

This helps to answer the question of whether a warm floor is needed in a house or apartment as a source of comfort and healthy living.

Smart choice

The choice of underfloor heating system should be attributed with all care. Many factors favor one or the other. But at the same time, they practically do not have negative manifestations during operation. For quick heating of the floor and air in the room, an infrared warm floor is perfect. For this, only 15-20 minutes after switching on is enough. A great option for children's rooms or bathroom.

For bedrooms, an alternative is an electric warm floor, which can replace heating radiators in general. They heat the floor screed and transfer all the heat into the room without unnecessary losses. Before starting all work, you should think about how to level the floor in the kitchen. To do this, there are many options for the floor screed device, depending on the materials and equipment used. Each individual species is responsible for its own functions and is capable of performing a specific set of tasks.

Any version of a warm floor is safe for human health. It can be arranged in absolutely any room and at the same time it is able to transfer the required amount of heat into the room. The need is obvious when looking at the system from either side.

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