A Complete Guide To Underfloor Heating: Summer vs Winter
22/11/2023As the seasons change and temperatures fluctuate, homeowners often wonder about the optimal usage of underfloor heating systems. At Warm Floor Store, we understand the importance of maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient environment in your home throughout the year.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the questions that frequently arise regarding underfloor heating during summer and winter, and provide valuable insights on the matter.
Can You Heat A Whole House With Underfloor Heating?
Underfloor heating is a highly effective and efficient method of heating, and it can be used as the primary heating system for an entire house. It’s a fantastic option when considering even heat distribution, zoning, energy efficiency, maintenance, and more.
It is, however, important to note that the feasibility of heating your entire house with either electric or water underfloor heating may depend on factors such as the construction of your home, insulation, and the type of underfloor heating system you choose. It's advisable to work with a professional to assess your specific needs and design a system that suits your home's layout and heating requirements. They can guide the best approach to ensure that your whole house is effectively heated with underfloor heating.
Read more:
Should Tiles Feel Warm With Underfloor Heating?
Tiles with underfloor heating underneath should indeed feel warm, but not hot. Underfloor heating is designed to provide a comfortable and consistent temperature across the floor's surface, creating a warm and inviting environment in your home.
It's important to note that the warmth of the tiles may also be influenced by factors such as the type of flooring material and the level of insulation in your home. Some flooring materials, like stone or ceramic tiles, conduct heat well and can feel warmer to the touch. Others, like engineered wood or laminate, may take a little longer to warm up but should still provide a comfortable surface temperature.
Not only do the tiles quickly warm up once the underfloor heating system is on, but they also efficiently transfer heat to the rest of the room - making underfloor heating a fantastic choice all year round.
Read More: Electric UFH vs. Water UFH: Choosing the Right Underfloor Heating System
Do You Leave Underfloor Heating On in the Winter?
Many people wonder ‘Should keep your underfloor heating on during the winter season?’. In most cases, leaving it on during the winter is not only recommended but also highly beneficial for these reasons:
- Consistent Comfort: Both electric and water underfloor heating systems provide a consistent and even distribution of heat throughout your living spaces. This steady warmth ensures that your home remains cosy and comfortable, even on the coldest winter days.
- Efficiency: Underfloor heating can be more efficient than traditional radiators because it operates at lower temperatures while still providing the same level of warmth. This efficiency can translate into cost savings on your heating bills.
- Frost Protection: Keeping your underfloor heating system running during the winter can help prevent freezing and potential damage to your flooring and pipes. It's particularly important in areas with harsh winter climates.
- Quick Response: Underfloor heating systems heat up quickly, allowing you to enjoy warmth on demand. This is especially valuable during the winter when you want to come home to a warm and inviting space.
You will of course have a ufh thermostat, that is designed to work seamlessly with your underfloor heating system so that you can easily control and adjust the temperature of your home, so you can make things warmer or cooler depending on your preferences throughout the winter season.
Read More: Underfloor Heating vs Radiators - What You Need To Know
Should You Turn Off Underfloor Heating in the Summer?
A very common query when it comes to underfloor heating is whether it's necessary to turn off underfloor heating during the summer months.
These are the reasons why it may be worthwhile switching it off:
- Energy Efficiency: Underfloor heating systems are highly energy-efficient, but they can still consume electricity when running.
- Comfort Control: Turning off your underfloor heating during summer ensures that your living spaces don't become uncomfortably warm.
- Longevity: Regularly running your underfloor heating system when unnecessary can lead to premature wear and tear. By giving it a break during the summer, you may be able to extend the lifespan of the system.
What Is The Most Economical Way To Run Underfloor Heating?
Following on from this, it is important to consider that there are multiple ways that you can control your underfloor heating over the summer to ensure it’s being run efficiently. These include:
- Switching off your heating in the Summer months. However, if you do decide to switch off your underfloor heating entirely via the thermostat, it’s recommended to switch it back on for a short period of time every couple of weeks to keep it calibrated and stop water from sticking.
- Leaving your heating running throughout the Summer and adjusting the temperature accordingly. Some say that running your heating system continuously through the winter months, using the thermostats in the room to maintain the temperature. This might sound illogical and use more energy, but this will likely use less energy than switching the system on and off.
- Turning your thermostat controls to ‘away’ mode. ‘Away’ mode is designed to allow your underfloor heating system to spring into action quickly when you need it again, as you can set a return date for the system to start running again. A programmable thermostat would be a great option here.
Ultimately, whatever you choose to do when it comes to heating your home all year round, we recommend that you refer to your user manual for the specific system you go for, to give you the most tailored advice for your unique home and system.
Read More: Is Electric Underfloor Heating Expensive To Run?
WarmFloor Store Products for Year-round Comfort
At Warm Floor Store, we offer a range of underfloor heating products designed to suit your specific needs. Our electric underfloor heating mats and cables are perfect for providing efficient and consistent heating in your home during the winter. For those concerned about energy consumption in the summer, our thermostats come with user-friendly controls that allow you to easily turn off the system when it's not needed, ensuring cost-effective and eco-friendly usage.
In conclusion, the usage of underfloor heating in summer and winter depends on your specific comfort and energy-saving requirements. Our friendly team is here to assist you in selecting the ideal underfloor heating products for your home, offering both comfort and savings year-round. We recommend that you explore the options available at Warm Floor Store to find the perfect underfloor heating solution for your home.
Going the extra mile for our customers is second nature to us, so if you can't find what you're looking for on the website please do not hesitate to get in touch with our sales team on 03303 209900 or email your queries to [email protected].