Why Underfloor Heating (UFH)?

Radiant heating and warm feet!

UFH systems heat predominantly by radiation and this is the most natural and comfortable form of heating. Radiant energy emitted by the floor is partly reflected and partly absorbed by the surfaces in the room i.e. furniture and furnishings etc. These surfaces are known technically as ‘secondary emitters’, which add to the overall warmth of the room. 

UFH is designed to utilise the entire floor as a heat source and this heats the room evenly. The energy reaches into every corner of the room – no cold spots, no hot ceilings and warm feet! 

The human body is warmed from the inside with UFH. People have described this warm radiation as being just as pleasant as sunshine on the skin. With UFH, the air temperature feels more comfortable and warmer because the heat is transferred directly to the body and this allows a lower room temperature to be chosen, saving energy and improving efficiency. 

When compared to a radiator system, the overall effectiveness of a UFH system can be seen below. The heat is concentrated where it is most required for comfort and energy efficiency.

Great news for allergy sufferers!

UFH is safer and cleaner than radiator systems as it doesn’t agitate the air, minimising the dust particles that enter the air you breathe. 

Low maintenance

UFH also has the benefit of being low maintenance – no need for painting radiators or cleaning around them. The system requires no additional service maintenance over a radiator system – the boiler/heat pump etc. should just be serviced as normal in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. We recommend the use of a biocide in your UFH system, as part of the boiler or heat pump service usually annually. This in an inexpensive additive (around £30+vat per 1 litre, more than enough to do most UFH systems) that kills bacteria that can build up in low temperature heating systems. 

Perfect for Heat Pumps

UFH is suitable for all types of boiler, including biomass, but it is also the perfect partner for heat pump use. Heat pumps are designed to operate at low temperatures (35ºC) and UFH can easily be designed to enable this, whereas radiators need to be generally 50% larger than when used with boilers!

We have an article specifically about UFH and heat pumps (LINK)

UFH can be used with multiple smart controls

Most multi-room UFH systems, particularly those used with boilers, are ‘zoned’. What this means is that areas are separated by individual thermostats for efficiency – only areas requiring the UFH to be on are heated. To enhance this further, we can provide ‘smart’ controls that can be used with a phone app and/or webpage.

Please see our range of Salus Smart Home controls here (LINK)

If you would like to discuss this article, have some questions of your own or would like to discuss your project then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

VarioHeat Ltd
Unit 5 Tanshelf Industrial Estates
Colonel’s Walk 
Pontefract
WF8 4PJ
01977 798720
damien@varioheat.co.uk

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Testimonials

Damien did a fantastic job of installing underfloor heating for us. He was reliable, on time and the work was completed to a high standard. I’d recommend Damien in the highest terms.

Elliot Kay

……It is clear he is a perfectionist………

He was always quick to manage any queries we had prior, during and even after the system had been installed.

We would not hesitate to recommend Damien and Varioheat to any of our friends and family.

Martyn Thompson

We have had an exceptional experience with Damian at Varioheat during our underfloor heating journey. His attention to detail with our complicated layout has been impeccable. He has consistently gone above and beyond to assist us, ensuring everything is perfectly tailored to our needs. The process couldn’t have been easier. Highly recommended!

Leanne Broadhurst

…….The heating system is quiet, efficient and comfortable and I would strongly recommend Damien and Varioheat to anyone considering underfloor heating.

Bill Grant

We were referred to Damien from VarioHeat by a friend, and we couldn’t be happier with his service. From our initial meeting, Damien was informative and professional, guiding us through the underfloor heating system and quote with great clarity. He stayed in touch during our preparation phase, quickly adapting to changes and ensuring everything was ready.

Damien’s work was praised by other contractors for its quality and neatness. Our screed contractor even called it some of the best work he’d seen. Our main builder was so impressed he asked for Damien’s contact details.

We’re grateful for Damien’s help and professionalism throughout our renovation, which saved us money and made the process smoother. Highly recommended!

The Griffiths family