Keith Westcott argues that the current boom in demand for underfloor heating makes good engineering based design even more crucial to maximise comfort and efficiency.

Graham Richardson explains the importance of controls in enabling underfloor heating to enable the heat generators that deliver hot water to operate at maximum efficiency.

Underfloor heating has been chosen for a ground-breaking zero-carbon house project in the Shetland Islands. The project aims to show how an holistic approach to renewable energy can eliminate household carbon emissions. The Osma underfloor heating system is supplied with hot water by an air-to-water heat pump, which also provides domestic hot water via a heat store.

Electric underfloor heating mats from Creda are only 3 mm thick and can be used with any type of flooring — including ceramic tiles, carpet, laminate or wooden floors. They can used for new build or refurbishment projects in homes. Benefits include low capital cost and easy installation. They gently emit heat to provide an even, draught-free and warm environment. Temperatures are regulated by a wall-mounted multi-controlling thermostat that allows for 7-day programming.

Using renewable energy can reduce carbon emissions and deliver savings on fuel bills. Bill McConnel explains how underfloor heating can reinforce these energy efficiencies.

The capabilities of underfloor heating for delivering comfort using less energy than other forms of heating are increasingly being recognised — especially with the latest Building Regulations requiring new buildings to have a carbon footprint around 25% less than a similar building designed to the 2002 Building Regulations.

Carpets and underlay with a combined rating of 2.5 Tog can be used with underfloor heating without impairing its efficiency, according to tests carried out by the Underfloor Heating Manufacturers’ Association. The results are said to prove that the old maximum of 1.5 Tog is too low.

MIKE LAMB explains why the installation of larger-scale underfloor heating systems is a job for trained professionals.

The characteristics of underfloor heating systems lend themselves to achieving compliance with the requirements of the forthcoming Building Regulations to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.

BILL McCONNEL explains.

Over 500 m2 of open-pan shopping space in a new extension to Ashton Hall Garden Centre on the outskirts of Lancaster is heated by a Robbens underfloor heating system served by an oil-fired boiler. Tony Abbit, who has owned this garden centre for the last 12 years, says, ‘These days, garden-centre customers are looking for more than just plants and compost. Our new extension has been specially designed to meet their demands for hundreds of garden related items, from furniture and barbeques to specialist books and clothing.

Electric underfloor heating mats made by Tyco Thermal Controls have been installed in the bathrooms of 216 luxury apartments in the Granton Harbour waterside development at Leith near Edinburgh.

Emmeti has added new functions to its Topway manifold system, which can be used with underfloor heating systems. A new component combines the functions of double-regulating valve, lockshield and flow meter.