Is the installation cost of underfloor heating higher than that of radiators? Is underfloor heating harmful to health? Can underfloor heating only be installed with ceramic tiles? Does underfloor heating only work on electricity?
Underfloor heating has become increasingly popular year after year. The benefits of installing underfloor heating are clear. This type of heating system greatly enhances comfort, reduces heating costs, and is aesthetically practical as it eliminates the need for traditional radiators, freeing up extra space in the home. For example, a practical cabinet can now be placed under the windows.
However, there are several misconceptions that lead many to dismiss underfloor heating and opt for radiators instead. Below are the five most common myths that cause many to shy away from underfloor heating.
Underfloor Heating is More Expensive Than Radiators
It is true that the installation cost per square foot for underfloor heating is higher than for radiators. However, this is an investment made once every few decades, so the difference is negligible. Over the years, underfloor heating will generate savings compared to an identical property with radiator heating, making the initial investment worthwhile over the system’s lifespan.
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The installation of underfloor heating may be less economical only if it is installed in an already occupied property. If the floors are in good condition, it may not be worth lifting and replacing them to install underfloor heating. In these situations, radiators are a more economical option.
If it’s a new build where floors are yet to be laid or a renovation where old floors will be removed, underfloor heating is a better solution.
Underfloor Heating Can Only Be Used with Ceramic Tiles
Tiles are excellent heat conductors, so it is a common misconception that the entire house must have ceramic tiles for underfloor heating. Additionally, it is often believed that parquet cannot be combined with underfloor heating because wood is a good insulator, trapping heat beneath the parquet.
This is not true; underfloor heating can be used with tiles, stone, parquet, laminate, and even linoleum and vinyl. It is crucial to purchase products that are clearly labeled as suitable for use with underfloor heating. For instance, parquet intended for underfloor heating is typically three-layered and made from well-dried wood to prevent warping and cracking.
Underfloor Heating is Harmful to Health
This is certainly one of the most common myths about underfloor heating. Many believe that underfloor heating causes varicose veins, but numerous studies have debunked this, and no scientific research supports this claim. Underfloor heating operates at temperatures below human body temperature, making such effects unlikely.
Another myth is that underfloor heating exacerbates allergies. In fact, radiators are more likely to cause allergic reactions. Radiator heating operates at high temperatures, above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). The significant temperature difference between the radiator and the room air creates strong air currents. Hot radiators generate powerful vertical air currents that lift dust and other allergens. You may have noticed that dusting is more frequent during winter.
Underfloor heating transfers heat across a much larger surface area, i.e., the entire floor, requiring a lower temperature and resulting in significantly less air and allergen movement.
Underfloor Heating Only Works on Electricity
While this may not be the most widespread myth, many still believe that underfloor heating only operates on electricity. However, underfloor heating can be electric or water-based. With water-based underfloor heating, you choose the energy source to heat the water, such as gas. One interesting and economical option is combining underfloor heating with a heat pump.
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Underfloor Heating is Weak and Heats Rooms Slowly
It is true that a powerful fan heater or inverter will heat a room faster than underfloor heating, but the comfort provided by these two heating methods is incomparable. Once the space heater is turned off, the room quickly cools down, and it is not particularly pleasant to stay in the room while it is operating.
On the other hand, underfloor heating achieves a much more stable room temperature. A certain amount of thermal energy is stored in the floors, so the average room temperature is much more even and constant. In this regard, underfloor heating offers better comfort than radiators.
Many believe that underfloor heating takes longer to “wake up” and heat a room in the morning. This might be the case during the first activation of the season, but during the night, enough thermal energy remains in the floors to quickly raise the temperature in the heated rooms.