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Home & Garden Articles
How Underfloor Heating Systems Work?
Fri 10 Nov 2006 - 09:41
How Underfloor Heating Systems Work?
By Natalie Aranda
Underfloor heating systems are common in mainland Europe, and recently are increasing their popularity in the United Kingdom and the United States. Underfloor heating provides even distribution of heat in rooms and are easy to install.
Diy underfloor heating is even more popular as it is proven that people hate to walk over cold floors. Underfloor heating systems are easy to install for anyone since they don't require special skills or knowledge.
These systems are non obtrusive and there is no restriction on the placement of furniture as occurs with other systems, requiring minimal maintenance in any case.
There is nothing more comfortable than feeling the soothing heat of a diy underfloor heating system, but how do underfloor heating systems work?
There are two type of underfloor heating systems, those that work with warm water (wet system), and those that are powered by electricity (dry systems). When it comes to the wet system, there are pipes buried in the foundation or under the floor that distributes the water. Depending on the system, water can be simply running underneath the floor surface.
In the case of diy underfloor heating, hot-water system has pipes of about one-half inch of inner diameter, or larger. The advantage of these pipes is that they can be covered with flooring materials, and engineers usually install them within the concrete slab before proceeding with the floor finishing.
Underfloor heating can also run under wood subflooring systems, which preserve the heat better. In any case, the system works by transferring heat through large surfaces but only slightly so the heat can never can be compared with that of Radiator systems.
Diy underfloor heating is usually more complicated to install, and not recommended by a do-it-yourself task, because special equipment, skills and tools are required, so call a professional for getting this type of heating systems installed.
Otherwise, underfloor heating by water is something that you can do if the provider of the underfloor pipe work gives your further instructions on the proper way in which to install.
Electric underfloor heating systems are up to 40% more expensive that water underfloor heating systems, and are not recommended for wooden floors. To ensure that a diy underfloor heating system works properly it is necessary to setup its own circuit due to the electrical current needed to power it.
Whether you choose a wet underfloor heating system or a dry underfloor heating system powered by electricity, do not forget that they are not perfect and have a number of cons, such as long heat up time and cooling down period that both of them require.
Underfloor heating systems often require a disruption on existing structures and floor finishing, requiring extra attention. Finally, once installed and running they don't respond immediately to sudden temperature changes
Natalie Aranda writes on home and family. Underfloor heating systems are common in mainland Europe, and recently are increasing their popularity in the United Kingdom and the United States. Underfloor heating provides even distribution of heat in rooms and are easy to install. Diy underfloor heating is even more popular as it is proven that people hate to walk over cold floors. Underfloor heating systems are easy to install for anyone since they don't require special skills or knowledge.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda
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