Underfloor heating

Top tips for underfloor heating

Chris Ingram, founder of Continal Underfloor Heating, provides his top tips when working with underfloor heating.

There are hundreds of underfloor heating (UFH) systems around but, like all heating products, UFH is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Some systems are designed to be fitted in the ground floor of a house extension while others are perfect when you’re creating a room in the loft. The UFH you’d choose to install over an existing floor in a room with a restricted ceiling height is different from the one that would be best underneath a tiled or vinyl floor.

UFH is an extremely flexible technology and the perfect system exists for your job, no matter how complex that project may be – as long as you know what to look for. All these different options can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience working with UFH, and knowing where to go for technical advice can make all the difference.

What type of system do you need?

Before you buy the materials for your next UFH job, even if you’ve used the technology before, make sure you consider how the system will interact with the rest of the house, and what your customer expects.

Does the property currently use a gas or oil boiler? Are there solar panels or heat pumps in the property, or is the homeowner considering installing them in the future? Even if they haven’t made their mind up yet, the mere fact they’re considering a low-temperature heating system might change the UFH system you should consider fitting now to future-proof against any later changes.

Do you know when the house was built? Does it already have wall or floor insulation to help reduce heat losses, or will you need to add additional insulation to stop heat being wasted? A modern, well-insulated property that was built less than 20 years ago will have very different heat losses from a Victorian or Edwardian building with singleglazed windows and high ceilings. All these factors can change the type of UFH system that will give your customer the best results.

What floor coverings are planned? Not all UFH systems are suitable for use with all floor coverings. Carpets, tiles and vinyl flooring all transmit heat in different ways, and pairing the wrong UFH with the wrong floor covering can be disastrous.

Overfloor systems are particularly suitable for use with carpets, vinyl, wood floors and tiles. But whatever system you choose, always check the small print. Not all UFH systems are suitable for use with tiles, for example. Some are sold as being compatible, but in fact this is only true when a specific type of tile adhesive is used, otherwise you risk the tiles moving or cracking over time.

If you’re not sure, always double-check with the manufacturer, and choose a company that offers the full range of systems, so you buy the best one for your project and not just the type that they happen to sell.

Need some design support?

The best UFH systems are those that are well designed and thought through before a single piece of pipe is purchased. Always choose a manufacturer who can offer you as much or as little design support as you need, depending on your level of experience with UFH and the type of project you’re working on.

Remember, a quality UFH system could be in operation for 30 years or more, so you don’t want to realise you’ve missed something important after the floor has been laid.

Check the warranty

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself – and your customer – is to make sure you only ever fit UFH from a trusted manufacturer who offers a complete warranty on their systems – and don’t just take their word for it.

Take the time to look at their online reviews and, most importantly, check the guarantees. For a warranty to be worth the paper it’s printed on, it must be insurance backed and should also cover consequential losses, such as the costs of replacing carpets, floors or expensive tiles. Not all manufacturers offer this, so check the small print before you buy to make sure you are 100 per cent covered.

Finally, always read the manual Don’t just throw it away as it will contain important tips and suggestions that will help make your job easier. ■

• You could win £500 off a Continal UFH system in this month’s competition. Turn to page 51 to find out more.

Make the most of free training

If you would like to learn more about different types of UFH and get more top tips on how to install them, Continal runs regular free webinars designed for tradespeople. The webinars offer top tips based on 20 years of experience with the technology, and will give you a wealth of information to make sure your UFH installations are right first time.

Visit www.continal.co.uk/training for upcoming dates.

Continal also provides a dedicated technical sales adviser who will work with you from start to finish, regardless of the size of the project. If you need guidance on what pipe layout or system design will give you the best efficiencies, its advisers can provide you with fast, accurate CAD drawings and a full order of works.

If you’re an experienced installer who is comfortable with all aspects of UFH system design, you can order for delivery to site wherever and whenever you need it.