Underfloor heating is no longer considered a luxury, but rather the epitome of modern heating comfort. Every second new building is equipped with underfloor heating or also panel heating. In addition to underfloor heating systems that are flown through with hot water, there are also electric underfloor heating systems that are powered by electricity. If done correctly, you enjoy great benefits and face few significant disadvantages in return. Learn everything you need to know about underfloor heating at Effizienzhaus-online!
Underfloor heating with hot water or electric underfloor heating systems
Basically, you can distinguish between hot water floor heating systems or electric floor heating systems.
floor heating with hot water
With underfloor heating with hot water, the water flows at a low flow temperature of no more than 40 °C through pipes laid in the floor or wall. A heating circuit manifold with flow and return allows hot water to circulate. A built-in heat temperature sensor relays information to the controller, which ensures that the correct temperature is set.
Electric floor heating
With electric floor heating systems, heating cables, heating mats or even heating foils are laid under the floor covering and heat there electrically. A high thermal insulation of the floor is important downward. The control is basically done by room thermostats and with temperature sensors on the floor.
Structure of an underfloor heating system
According to technical standards, the underfloor heating structure consists of certain layers. First of all, on the load-bearing subfloor lies standardized thermal insulation and impact sound insulation. The water-bearing pipes are laid on top of this in a screed layer or in mounting plates. On the dry screed, the floor covering can be laid.
A distinction is made between different types of underfloor heating:
- Wet systems: Here, the heating pipes are laid in the screed. In this case, you can either lay the pipes directly on the insulation layer or clamp them with laying plates. As a rule, these are installed in new buildings.
- Dry systems: Here the heating pipes are located directly under the floor covering in foam boards. Additional dry plates are installed above it. Dry systems lend themselves to retrofitting with underfloor heating.
- Electric systems: In electric underfloor heating systems, electrically powered heating coils are embedded in the floor below the floor covering.
Modern floor heating systems are suitable for all types of flooring: Ceramic tiles, carpet, solid and prefabricated parquet or floating laminate flooring. The venting of an underfloor heating system should also be done regularly.
Underfloor heating in new and old buildings: When renovating, pay attention to the installation height
While underfloor heating is easy to plan and execute in new buildings, it makes greater demands in renovations. The installation of water-bearing pipes under the floor covering increases the floor structure. This is only possible to a limited extent in the old building.
An economical option is to implement underfloor heating only partially, for example, as a kitchen and bathroom heating system. Classic radiators can then remain in other rooms. If the underfloor heating or panel heating is only to be implemented as a bathroom heating system, it may also be advisable to use a small, electric underfloor heating system in renovation projects.
Advantages of underfloor heating: favorable living comfort and low dust pollution
One of the main benefits of underfloor heating is lower heating costs on average: On average, users benefit from 10 percent lower consumption. The temperature-controlled floor with a high percentage of radiant heat also has a pleasant effect. Radiant heat is felt directly on the skin. Reduced air movement also reduces dust levels, which benefits not only allergy sufferers.
In practical underfloor heating tests, it was also proven that the heat from below does not cause unpleasant heat sensations in the lower extremities. Another positive factor is that there are no extra radiators, which significantly increases the scope for furnishing and design in the apartment.
Disadvantages of underfloor heating: sluggish control and difficult repair
The main disadvantage of underfloor heating systems is their sluggish control behavior. Depending on the mass of the floor covering and the screed in which the heating circuits are embedded, it can take up to half an hour for a change in temperature control to have a significant effect.
Due to the constructive embedding of the water-bearing pipes in the floor structure, repairs are difficult and expensive. A professional execution is therefore extremely important. This includes using consistently high-quality materials in all components to prevent oxygen diffusion so that corrosion is minimized.
Costs for underfloor heating
Underfloor heating does not have to be an expensive heating system. Here, a distinction must be made depending on the type of underfloor heating:
The costs of underfloor heating as a dry system are usually between 30 and 45 euros per square meter, depending on the manufacturer and system. In addition, there are the costs for pipes or laying plates of about 17 euros per square meter.
Underfloor heating with a water system costs between 13 and 40 euros per square meter, depending on the system and type of installation.
Electric underfloor heating systems cost from 25 euros per square meter.
Comparative tests show: In new construction, the material and installation costs are comparable to equipment using classic radiators. The situation is different in the case of reorganization. In addition to the material costs and the work involved in installing the underfloor heating system, there is also the cost of replacing the floor. In this case, the installation is only worthwhile in the case of a complete renovation, especially in connection with an improvement of the heat and impact sound insulation. Less labor-intensive and costly in old buildings is a wall or ceiling heating system. For more information, see our article "Underfloor heating: reducing costs with panel heating".
Which heating technology is suitable for underfloor heating
Modern panel heating systems can be combined with all existing conventional oil and gas boilers. Modern condensing boiler heating and alternative heating systems using renewable energy also supply underfloor heating with heat economically, sustainably and reliably.
An important characteristic of underfloor heating systems is that they operate with a low flow temperature. This makes them ideal partners for an electric heat pump and for heating support with solar thermal energy.
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