Heat Logic are accredited installers for Polypipe underfloor heating systems.
History of UFH
Underfloor heating was first introduced by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Underfloor heating was used in most public buildings especially in the colder parts of the roman empire. The underfloor heating system, known as a hypocaust, was made up from ducts underneath the floor. The flues for these fires ran through the walls so that when the fires were burning the floors and walls heated the building. The furnace was laid round columns that supported the concrete slabs for the floor. The furnace was placed here so the draught would spread the heat under the floor then up through the walls heating rooms on the floor above to the chimneys. The roman underfloor heating was a lot of hard work to maintain with keeping the fire burning and cleaning the ashes this is why it was only for the wealthy. This type of heating system has recently been voted the most important heating invention ever by the British HVAC industry.
What is Underfloor Heating?
Modern warm water underfloor heating gives a near perfect room temperature profile between floor and ceiling due to a balanced combination of radiant and convected heat. Underfloor heating uses radiant heat which ensures you feel comfortable even at a lower air temperature than that produced by a conventional radiator heating system.
Conventional radiator central heating producers the majority of its heat by convected air. Convected air produced by radiators rises making the ceiling the warmest part of the room. Underfloor heating produces 50% of its warmth using radiant heat, this means all the floor is evenly heated, this is then absorbed by objects (sofas etc) in the room. Radiant heat gives you the ideal comfort conditions warm feet and a cool head.
When you walk into a room controlled by underfloor heating, you will be able to feel the difference almost immediately. Underfloor heating can be used with almost any floor covering these include carpet (below 1.5 Tog), lino, hardwood, laminate and stone. Stone based floor covering give the best results because they allow the heat to transfer easily. Unlike carpet an underlay which has insulation properties and does not transfer heat as easily as stone or tile.
Underfloor Heating in an extension, conservatory, cellar or basement.
If you are thinking of extending or refurbishing your home, an underfloor heating system is an ideal solution. New extensions and conservatories usually use screed or concrete as the floor structure warm water underfloor heating forms part of this floor structure and is built to last. With underfloor heating you will be able to get the most out of your new extension or conservatory the most comfortable heating system which gives you all-year round use.Underfloor heating single zone kits are designed to work independently from the rest of the heating system. This sort of heating system is works perfectly in conservatories and cellar conversions as these rooms need to be heated at different times from the radiators in the rest of the house, conservatories need to be heated independently to comply with Part L of the building regulations.Cellar conversions have usually have no solar gain this means while the rest of your house may be warm due to sunlight your cellar may still want heating as this is underground and usually cooler. This means you require a heating system that can control these areas independently, cellar floors are normally a concrete which means underfloor heating is a perfect solution for a cellar conversion.