BOILER ALERT: How to specify the right UFH system to help solve the boiler crisis

As gas boilers are phased out, now is the time to re-think domestic heating, says Richard Bateman, Product Marketing Manager at RWC. By pairing modern heat pumps with underfloor heating, homes can become more efficient, more comfortable, and cheaper to run.

When it comes to keeping homes warm, we know that change is on the horizon. Over the coming years, traditional gas boilers will be phased out in a bid to reduce the emissions produced by the UK’s housing stock. This has made way for alternatives such as low-carbon heat pumps, which will soon become commonplace and fundamentally change how we heat our homes. That’s because these modern technologies open up new opportunities for domestic heating systems, leveraging their potential to improve energy efficiency and future-proof homes.

heating can be fitted in almost any home, but factors like the construction of the existing floor do need to be factored into installation.”

Already a popular option – particularly on renovation projects where enhancing energy efficiency is important – underfloor heating (UFH) provides a convenient and stylish option for keeping rooms comfortable. Working particularly well in conjunction with heat pumps, UFH systems require operating temperatures of just 35°C to 40°C to heat rooms. Plus, with no need for radiators, wall space is freed up to allow greater interior design freedom, and occupants can enjoy convenient operation with modern thermostats and smart controls.

But getting the most out of an UFH system starts at specification, taking into account factors such as the existing floor height build up and ensuring that the most efficient piping layout is achieved during the design stage.

Specifying for comfort and efficiency

When selecting a new type of heating system for a project, there are two key factors to keep in mind: how the system will underpin comfort and how it will improve efficiency.

Utilising a network of pipes beneath the floor, UFH allows heat to be consistently distributed across a space – rather than originating from a single source on one wall, as is typically the case with radiators. While this set up helps to eliminate hot and cold patches to create more comfortable spaces, it also means the system can operate at a much lower temperature, typically around 30°C less than required of gas boilers.

This makes it an ideal pairing for the air-source and ground-source heat pumps which are largely replacing gas boilers, which themselves operate at lower temperatures. Additionally, by creating zones when installing UFH, heat can be delivered to specific areas of a home to further maximise the efficiency of the system, saving energy and even bringing down monthly heating bills.

Aiding this functionality, smart thermostats, such as those in the JG Underfloor Controls range, offer precise heating control over the temperature of specific rooms. The controls can also be accessed via a free app, which allows for greater user control even when people are away from their homes.

Low-profile UFH delivers efficient warmth without compromise

With UFH leading the way in efficient domestic heating moving forward, it is important to consider the practicality of installation –particularly on retrofit projects.

Underfloor heating can be fitted in almost any home, but factors like the construction of the existing floor do need to be factored into installation. For instance, where concrete or timber floors are already in place, an UFH system may be laid directly onto it, saving time and expense by negating the need to remove the existing floor. Beyond this, the depth of screed and the desired floor finish must be factored in, ensuring the installation of UFH does not adversely affect the room in terms of space and functionality. This makes the specification of low-profile UFH a desirable option.

Designed to keep floor height to a minimum while maintaining adequate heat output, JG LowFit is an UFH panelling solution which ranges from 16 to 20mm in thickness. Designed specifically for installation over existing flooring, its foil and mesh panels can be laid quickly and easily, accommodating 12-15mm pipe. Once screeded, the total floor height will be 21-25mm –around the same as the diameter of a £1 coin.

In addition to providing a lowheight system which delivers discreet domestic heating, JG LowFit also supports multiple pipe layouts, including serpentine and counterflow. With layout contributing towards the system’s efficiency and effectiveness, it is important to consider this in the initial design and planning stages. RWC’s technical team is able to provide advice in this area, mitigating risks and helping to maximise long-term efficiency.

Once fully installed and screeded, homeowners can take their pick of floor finishes, safe in the knowledge that their low-profile UFH system will efficiently keep every room comfortable. From carpet and laminate right the way through to ceramic tiles – the most suitable material for heat transfer –homeowners can enjoy complete design freedom, with their heating hidden out of sight.

Future-proofing domestic heating

Facilitating the installation of a highly efficient heating system without compromising floor height and aesthetics, low-profile UFH is particularly well suited to retrofit projects. As well as minimising disruption during the installation phase, it enables existing properties to adopt technologies which help them adapt to future requirements.

As traditional gas boilers are phased out from 2025, now is the time to re-think domestic heating systems as a whole – and underfloor heating has a key role to play. By specifying UFH today, we can make sure homes are well prepared to tackle future challenges, such as the rising cost of energy, and put homeowners on track to enjoy homes which are more efficient, more comfortable, and cheaper to run.

To find out more about RWC’s JG Underfloor heating solutions, please visit http://speedfitufh.co.uk