Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional central heating systems work by heating water in the radiator. This then heats the air which creates air currents as warm air rises and cold air falls due to differences in their density. This creates a temperature differential in the room with the ceiling space being heated first. This can create a stuffy environment and can result in an uncomfortable feeling of “hot head / cold feet”.
Radiant heat is the most efficient form of heat distribution available. The objects in the room are heated first and they then gently warm the surrounding air. This means that the air temperatures can be lowered in the room whilst still maintaining comfort levels, resulting in a reduction in heating bills.
As the air does not circulate there are no draughts created. Dust is not circulated in the room which brings higher comfort levels, especially for allergy sufferers. There is more even vertical heat distribution throughout the room which is far closer to the ideal distribution.
Underfloor heating systems can be installed under almost any surface. The systems are also completely invisible and quiet in operation. Conventional warm water radiators do not contribute to the aesthetics of a room and can reduce room space. Installing a radiant floor or ceiling heating system allows more flexibility in creating the perfect living environment.
Installing Ecomax insulation boards is highly recommended when fitting Flexel International cable mats or loose heating cable. The insulation boards will dramatically cut warm up times. This will mean less energy is used heating the floor. As a result, your bills will be lower.
While it is highly recommended that you install insulation boards under cable mats or loose cable, it is not necessary if you cannot build the floor up.
However, if you are installing EcoFilm heating element, it is vital that you use the EcoMax-Lite insulation. This will protect the element from any moisture in the sub-floor, which can cause nuisance tripping of the RCD. The insulation also provides excellent sound insulation, which is vital when using a laminate floor covering.
Whatever underfloor heating system you use, it is sensible to invest in proper insulation. This will keep your system running efficiently and save you money over the life of the system.
| Underfloor Heating | Heat Up Time |
|---|---|
| Timber sub-floor with 10mm Ecomax insulation | 0.5 hours |
| Concrete sub-floor with 10mm Ecomax insulation | 1 hour |
| Concrete Sub-floor with insulation below the concrete slab | 2-5 hours |
| Un-insulated concrete | 3-8+ hours |
There are many benefits of electric underfloor heating compared to traditional central heating systems. Flexel underfloor heating systems utilise radiant heat. This uses infrared energy to heat the people and objects in the room. This means that the overall temperature can be lowered will still maintaining a comfortable environment.
Traditional radiators heat the air in the room. This causes air circulation, as the changes in density cause hot air to rise and cold air to fall. As well as causing temperature differentials in the room (it will be hotter nearer the ceiling compared to the floor), the circulating air can also move dust and other allergens around the room.
This has obvious implications to sufferers of asthma and similar conditions. Radiant underfloor heating does not cause air circulation, which means allergens are not spread around the room. Other benefits include:
- • Luxury of a heated floor, especially in winter
- • Keeps wall space free from radiators
- • Low surface temperature (typically 27-30°C, compared to 65-80°C for a conventional radiator system)
- • Reduced temperature differences and reduced dust circulation.
Electric underfloor heating from Flexel International can cost as little as 5p per square meter,
This is based on running the system for 7 hours a day. While exact costs will depend on your own individual tariff, insulation is a much bigger influence on the running costs of underfloor heating. The better insulated the floor, the quicker the warm up times will be and then less energy will be used. Ecomax insulation boards will dramatically reduce warm up times, saving you money every time you use your underfloor heating system.
Some customers may consider not using insulation boards as they are concerned about the floor build up. However, using 6mm insulation boards, along with our ultrathin cable mats should only result in a total build-up of 10mm.
That is not a lot, when you consider the savings you will make in running costs. Running costs can also be affected by the heat losses in the room. Areas with high heat losses, such as conservatories can see higher running costs.
In this case, you may want to consider installing our 200W/m2 EcoFloor cable mat. The higher power output means your underfloor heating system will reach temperature quicker, to compensate for the heat losses. Many people still view electric underfloor heating as an expensive option. However, the installation and running costs provide excellent value for money.