The issue of additional insulation is also relevant in large country houses, which are poorly and take a long time to warm up with standard radiators, and in small city apartments, where it is often cold and damp even in the warm summer period. It is not possible to install additional heating radiators, and portable heaters clutter up the space. In this case, the owners are thinking about alternative ways, one of which is the arrangement of the “warm floor” system.
Radiator heating or floor heating
What is more economical: underfloor heating or radiators? Or is it better to install underfloor heating in the apartment, and leave central heating radiators? The latter type is used everywhere. The system is cheap to install, but unevenly distributes heat. Batteries may heat unevenly due to clogging of the system and heat up to high temperatures, so that they can becomecause burns during operation.
When installing the "warm floor" system, heating pipes are laid in the floor. The first obvious advantage is the large heated surface area (the size of the room area), while in the case of radiators, the heat sources are point. A warm floor gives off heat evenly, but it takes a long time to cool down and heat up for a long time. Radiators are considered to be the most efficient solution in terms of room heating speed.
How to save on energy
What is more economical: underfloor heating or batteries? In matters of economy, the "warm floor" system has a significant advantage over central heating. Batteries are installed under windows to prevent condensation. As a result, most of the heat escapes through the windows, and the air in the room does not heat up. To warm up the apartment, more energy is required. Saving heat when installing a warm floor will be 20-60% during the use of heating.
In terms of the cost of implementation, much depends on the volume of the heating system and the type of underfloor heating. Transferring pipes to the space under the floor in any case will cost a pretty penny. When it comes to repairs, regular batteries are much easier to remove, clean, or replace with more efficient ones than repairing the entire water system or electrical panels under the floor. Therefore, it is very important to make a warm floor correctly.
Restrictions when installing underfloor heating
Such a heating system imposes certain restrictions on the choice of finishing material. So,it is undesirable to lay pipes under a wooden floor, because low thermal conductivity will reduce the efficiency of heating. The best option is tiles. It is also necessary to provide that most of the floor is not covered by furniture. Otherwise, the efficiency (and hence the economy) of such a heating system is questionable.
General benefits of the system
The "warm floor" system normalizes the microclimate in the room, does not dry out the air and does not contribute to an increase in humidity due to the uniform distribution of heat. In the hallway, floor heating will help dry shoes in the autumn-winter period. Such drying is much more gentle than near the heater. Underfloor heating can be installed in any room and allows you to adjust the heating power.
Main types of underfloor heating
Which floor heating is more economical? The characteristics of the system largely depend on the type. Single-core or twin-core electric plates are mounted in a special mesh section, infrared film floors are laid without screed and glue under any floor covering and do not increase the height of the floor, and the water system has some difficulties in installation.
Directly connected to the heating and water supply system in apartment buildings is prohibited. This threatens with huge monetary fines and a ban on the use of the system. Therefore, only infrared plates and economical electric underfloor heating are suitable for apartments. Such options can be used for the main oradditional (only in certain areas) space heating.
The cost of installing a warm floor
The cost of installing a water floor per square meter of surface is 1,800 rubles for the services of a specialist who will carry out the work, 357 rubles for installation materials and pipes, 16,100 rubles for a mixing group and 560 rubles for a concrete screed. The cable floor will cost: 1350 rubles (cable and additional materials) + 1300 rubles (thermostat) + 15 rubles (box) + 50 rubles (box)=2715 rubles. Installation of one square meter costs 800 rubles. Infrared film costs:
- 500 rubles - installation of a thermostat;
- 1000 rubles - heating material;
- 800 rubles - sensor installation;
- 0 rubles - installation (plates are easy to install on their own, so there is no point in spending extra money on installation).
Rules for choosing an economical underfloor heating
Underfloor heating will not save money if you approach the selection and installation of the system responsibly. Firstly, heating elements cannot be laid over the entire area of the room. The plates should be located at least 10 cm from the walls, it is not advisable to place them in places where furniture will stand. Thus, a warm floor should occupy up to 70% of the total area of the room.
Secondly, it is better to choose a flooring material that conducts heat well. The most economical electric underfloor heating is laid under ceramic tiles, which are characterized by optim althermal conductivity. Linoleum and stone are distinguished by good thermal conductivity and heat dissipation; it is better to refuse from boards, natural parquet or laminate. Following these recommendations will significantly reduce energy costs.
Electric floor benefits
The most economical underfloor heating for small spaces is cable, that is, electric. Depending on the required heating power, you can choose different cables. Installation is considered more economical and due to the absence of the need to organize a concrete screed. Electric plates are reliably protected, safe, connected to a standard power supply, evenly heat the floor, do not dry the air. The advantages are also ease of installation, the absence of harmful radiation and extraneous noise. The only downside is the high power consumption. But this disadvantage, as already mentioned above, is not significant when it comes to a small room.
Arrangement of an autonomous water system
What is the most economical underfloor heating for a country house with an autonomous water supply and heating system? Installing a water system would be the best option. The main advantages of this type of heating are aesthetics, economy and safety. All parts of the system are located under the floor, and the absence of a radiator allows you to visually increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe room and re-plan the design.
When operating an economical underfloor heating, the cost of electricity consumption can be reduced inan average of 20-30%. In large areas, the savings will be up to 60% compared to heating with radiators. At the same time, the water system has several disadvantages. Such heating is difficult to install, because all elements of the system require precise connection, accuracy when laying and differ in overall size. If there is no practical experience, it is better to use the services of a specialist.
To fasten the coolants, you need to pour a concrete screed. The thickness of this layer should be at least 4 cm, which is not suitable for houses with low ceilings. There is always the possibility of a leak. To eliminate the slightest malfunction, you will need to cover the finish coating, and in the worst case, completely replace the heating system. Of course, it will be quite expensive.
Additional equipment and payback
In order for the water system to function properly, additional equipment will have to be purchased. You will need a mixing unit, the service life of which is limited to 5-6 years of service, as well as a pump. After this period, the system will need to be updated, which is associated with significant additional costs. At the same time, for large rooms, a water-heated floor is considered very economical. For 3-4 years of operation, the system fully pays off.
Repair of underfloor heating
As far as repair difficulties are concerned, quality floors from original European manufacturers function properly throughout their life. If a breakdownthe electric floor still happened, you must first inspect the temperature sensor and thermostat. During normal operation of the devices, the reason lies in the mechanical breakage of the cable. It is necessary to disconnect the systems from the network, disconnect the cable, measure the cable resistance (an error of 5% is allowed). With high resistance, we can talk about a breakdown. You will need an audio detector or a high voltage generator to accurately detect a break.
When the break point is found, dismantle the flooring section, open the screed, connect the ends of the cable with sleeves and isolate the restored section with a heat-shrink sleeve, screed and install the final floor covering. So, the duration of the repair will be no more than two hours, and if you have the necessary tools, you can do everything yourself. Otherwise, it is enough to use the services of a repair shop.
Infrared floor heating
Which floor heating is more economical? Many people choose infrared film, which is distinguished by ease of installation, safety in operation, economical operating mode, versatility and high speed of heating the room. Such an economical warm floor is completely insulated, so the probability of a short circuit is reduced to zero. The infrared film heats up quickly, which makes it convenient to use in rooms that the owners leave for a long time (for example, in country houses).
This model of the heating system can be used as the main source of heat, and as an additionalinsulation for sleeping bags, blankets and pillows. Infrared plates can independently regulate the heating temperature for different parts of the room. The service life is about thirty years. According to consumer reviews, there are virtually no shortcomings in the operation of this economical underfloor heating.
Common myths about underfloor heating
It is believed that the self-regulation function automatically increases the efficiency of the heating system up to 90%. But the total consumption depends on the amount of heat that the system transfers to heat the surface to the desired temperature. The total energy consumed practically does not depend even on the power of the cable used. But with self-regulation, the system will automatically increase the heating of cold areas (for example, the space near the front door), which will cause increased energy consumption.
Economical underfloor heating under tiles, many are afraid to lay because of the danger of electric shock. In practice, when designing heating elements, much attention is paid to safety issues. Almost 85% of the entire structure ensures operational safety and only 15% are used specifically for heating. The cores are under a thick layer of sheaths that do not conduct electric current and can withstand temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius (this is higher than the maximum heating temperature of the cable). Therefore, underfloor heating is absolutely safe and can be installed even in rooms with high humidity.
Which floor heating is more economical:electric, water or infrared? It is believed that such a heating system, in principle, cannot be considered economical. This is also a myth, although the wording is often used for promotional purposes, which only confuses buyers. Today, economical heating elements are commercially available that consume up to 75 watts per square meter. For private houses and cold apartments, this is an excellent solution that will provide additional heat at low cost in the future.
