The issue of additional insulation is relevant in large country houses, which are poorly heated for a long time 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 think about alternative methods, one of which is the arrangement of the “warm floor” system.
Radiator heating or underfloor heating
What is more economical: underfloor heating or radiators? Or is it better to install a warm floor in the apartment and leave the central heating radiators? The latter type is used everywhere. The system is inexpensive to install, but it does not evenly distribute heat. Batteries can warm up differently due to clogging of the system and heat up to high temperatures, so that they can cause burns during operation.
When installing the “warm floor” system, heating pipes are carried out in the floor. The first obvious advantage is the large area of the heated surface (the size of the room), whereas in the case of radiators, the heat sources are point sources. The warm floor gives off heat evenly, but cools down for a long time and heats up for a long time. By the speed of heating the room, radiators are considered a more effective solution.
How to save on energy
What is more economical: underfloor heating or batteries? In matters of economy, the underfloor heating system has a significant advantage over central heating. Batteries are installed under the windows to prevent condensation. As a result, most of the heat leaves through the windows, and the air in the room does not heat up. For the apartment to warm up, more energy is required. Heat savings when installing a warm floor will be 20-60% during the use of heating.
Regarding the cost of sales, much depends on the volume of the heating system and the type of floor heating. In any case, the transfer of pipes into the space under the floor will cost a pretty penny. Regarding repairs, conventional 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.
Limitations for installing a warm floor
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 heating efficiency. The best option is tile. It is necessary to provide for the fact that most of the floor is not covered by furniture. Otherwise, the efficiency (and hence the economy) of such a heating system is doubtful.
General system benefits
The "warm floor" system normalizes the microclimate in the room, does not dry the air and does not contribute to increased humidity due to the uniform distribution of heat. In the hallway, floor heating will contribute to the drying of shoes in the autumn-winter period. Such drying is much more careful than near a heater. Heated floor can be installed in any room and allows you to adjust the heating power.
The main types of underfloor heating
Which warm floor is more economical? System specifications are highly dependent on type. Single-core or two-core electric plates are mounted in sections of a special grid, infrared film floors are laid without screed and glue under any floor covering and do not increase the floor height, and the water system has some installation difficulties.
It is forbidden to directly connect to the heating and water supply systems in apartment buildings. This threatens huge fines and a ban on the use of the system. Therefore, only infrared plates and economical electric heated floors are suitable for apartments. Such options can be used for primary or secondary (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 1800 rubles for the services of a specialist who will carry out the work, 357 rubles for materials for installation 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. Costs for infrared film:
- 500 rubles - installation of a temperature regulator;
- 1000 rubles - heating material;
- 800 rubles - installation of the sensor;
- 0 rubles - installation (plates are easily installed independently, so there is no point in spending extra money on installation).
Rules for choosing an economical warm floor
Warm floors will not save money if you approach the selection and installation of the system is not responsible enough. Firstly, heating elements must not be laid over the entire area of the room. Plates should be located at least 10 cm from the walls, it is not advisable to place them in places where the furniture will stand. So, a warm floor should occupy up to 70% of the total area of the room.
Secondly, it is better to choose the flooring material that conducts heat well. The most economical electric underfloor heating is laid under ceramic tiles, characterized by optimal thermal conductivity. Linoleum and stone are distinguished by good heat conductivity and heat transfer; it is better to refuse from boards, natural parquet or laminate. Compliance with these recommendations will significantly reduce energy costs.
The advantages of electric flooring
The most economical floor heating for small rooms is considered cable, that is, electric. Depending on the required heating power, you can choose different cables. Installation is considered more economical and due to the lack of the need for a concrete screed. Electric plates are reliably protected, safe, connected to a standard power supply, uniformly 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 negative is the high power consumption. But this drawback, as mentioned above, is not significant when it comes to a small room.
Arrangement of a water autonomous system
What is the most economical floor heating for a country house with an autonomous water supply and heating system? Installing a water system will be the best option. The main advantages of this type of heating are aesthetics, efficiency 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 the room and redesign the design.
When operating an economical underfloor heating, the cost of electricity consumption can be reduced by an average of 20-30%. In rooms of a large area, savings will be up to 60% compared with heating by 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 during installation and differ in overall dimensions. 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 a chance of leakage. To eliminate the slightest malfunction, it will be necessary to overlap the finish coating, and in the worst case, completely replace the heating system. Of course, it will be quite expensive.
Additional equipment and payback
For the water system to function efficiently, you will have to purchase additional equipment. You will need a mixing unit, the 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 entails significant additional costs. At the same time, for large rooms, a water heated floor is considered to be very economical. For 3-4 years of operation, the system fully pays off.
The issue of repairing underfloor heating
As for the difficulties in the repair, high-quality floors from the original European manufacturers function properly throughout the entire period of operation. If a breakdown of the electric floor still happened, you must first examine 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 system from the network, disconnect the cable, measure the cable resistance (5% error is allowed). With high resistance, you can talk about damage. To accurately detect a break, you will need an audio detector or a high-voltage generator.
When a breakage point is found, it is necessary to dismantle the flooring section, open the screed, connect the cable ends with sleeves and isolate the restored section with a heat-shrink sleeve, conduct the screed and install the finish flooring. So, the repair time 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 underfloor heating
Which warm floor is more economical? Many people choose an infrared film that is easy to install, safe to use, economical operating mode, versatility and high speed of heating the room. Such an economical underfloor heating is completely insulated, so the probability of closure is reduced to zero. The infrared film heats up quickly, which determines the convenience of its use in rooms that the owners leave for a long time (for example, in country houses).
This model of the heating system can use both the main source of heat, and as an additional insulation for sleeping bags, blankets and pillows. Infrared plates can independently adjust the heating temperature for different parts of the room. The service life is about thirty years. If you believe the feedback from consumers, this economical underfloor heating has virtually no shortcomings in operation.
Common myths about warm floors
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 is practically independent of the power of the cable used. But with self-regulation, the system will automatically increase the heating of cold zones (for example, the space near the front door), which will cause increased energy consumption.
Many people are afraid to install an economical underfloor heating under the tiles because of the danger of electric shock. In practice, the development of heating elements gives a lot of attention to safety issues. Almost 85% of the entire structure ensures safe operation and only 15% are used specifically for heating. The cores are located under a thick layer of shells that do not conduct electric current and are able to withstand temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius (this is higher than the maximum heating temperature of the cable). Therefore, the underfloor heating is absolutely safe and can be installed even in rooms with high humidity.
Which warm floor 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 advertising purposes, which only confuses customers. Today, economical heating elements are 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 for the future.