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15/04/2008, 10:05 Benjamin Joined on 21/08/2005 Vendée South Posts 1,564 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort Really good technical explanations there Gluestick, without getting too techy. We also have UFH, although electric, in our modern three bed bungalow. It's by far the most comfortable form of heating we've ever had. We are all electric ie no gas, oil, woodburners etc., and our bills for the two complete years we have lived here were 764€ for 2006 and 825€ for 2007. I don't see this current year being any more expensive either. Having said that if you are installing in an existing property then the word is insulation, insulation and insulation. The system works on zoned thermostats so there's no question of overheating if you use these wisely. Yes, if heating from absolute cold in the dead of Winter, it can take up to 24 hours to reach full temperature but with today's modern delay timers and the possibility of telephone control from a distance this should never be a problem. Benjamin Snips, snails and puppy dog tails    Report

16/04/2008, 13:37 now just john Joined on 28/04/2005 Montignac le coq Posts 366 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort No-one mentioned coming down first thing in the morning in bare feet onto a warm floor Its been installed in our Uk property (with a new condensing gas boiler, too early for costs) but the girls in the family think its heaven.    Report

16/04/2008, 14:05 WJT Joined on 22/09/2004 Posts 1,373 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort Gluestick, thank you very interesting information. Off subject I know but regarding your comment on the hot water setting, I had assumed that the setting needed to be on 60 deg all the time to prevent bacteria in the tank. In fact a few weeks ago our plumber turned it down to about 50 and I noticed the difference and turned it back up. Regarding UFH, we have friends that don't like it at all. They say it takes too long to heat up and if you have a mild day it is very uncomfortable.    Report

16/04/2008, 14:24 Gluestick Joined on 22/03/2006 UK and Nord Pas de Calais Posts 2,342 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort It's a good example of the new programming technology, WJT. Does it all autonomously, clears the bacteria and then back to low. And saves cash. Now he has finished all the building work, I am looking forward to my chum's further feedback through Summer etc. We'll see what he says about Summer temps.   "Yes, but that apart, Mrs Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?" Gluestick    Report

16/04/2008, 17:44 Matt Joined on 23/04/2006 Sussex & Cher Posts 59 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort I can only comment on the underfloor heating in my conservatory in the UK.In a word "fantastic".We don't have gas in France so no boiler but if I did then I would without hesitation put it in every room I could. Ours doesn't take days to heat up more like an hour or so and the cats absolutely love it.Rather an expensive cat basket though!    Report

16/04/2008, 21:02 Sparky Joined on 12/04/2008 Posts 2 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort The hot water pipe systems work well - wouldn't know how reliable the electric ones are.    Report

17/04/2008, 8:32 andyh4 Joined on 15/06/2005 Frankfurt and Ardèche Posts 845 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort It is true that UFH is relatively slow to react to changes in external temperature.  This is simply because there is  a massive block of concrete that needs to be heated up/colled down.  There are however things that can be done to alleviate this.  Modern systems with full controls and predictive programming go a long way, but also consider that with Geothermal and a heat pump it is possible to reverso that the system acts like a refrigerator and can actually extract heat from the building.  Like aircon.   Most of the negatives seem to be coming from people who do not have the system, but have heard that...................  Personally I would be very loath to change to another system, although next time I would probably consider the so called geothermal rather than oil.  Nevertheless we are consuming less than 1000l oil per year. Andy    Report

17/04/2008, 14:57 johnnyboy Joined on 14/06/2007 Posts 34 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort Nice to hear a few positives about UFH,we have gone down the route with this for most of the ground floor areas (complete renovation project BTW). We have spoken with the plombier and hope that we have the balance about right.The main two rooms (8.5x6.4m) & (8.5x5m) approx are heated floors,with the larger being a double height room.Both will have woodburners,the idea being to keep floors relatively cool and supplement that on colder days as necessary.The system is oil fired and hot water is aided by solar panels too.Had looked at geothermal,but were advised that it would not be up to the task in hand given size of house/construction etc. Upstairs is normal rads and large heated towel rails in baths/showers.Thinking behind the system is to have an alternative supply always available.May work out a bit more expensive initially,but may prove worth it if any part should fail for any reason. Cost is difficult to quantify at moment as we have not finished,may be able to provide more on that later. Also have made the old error of changing things as we have progressed(see Gluey's post!!)  Hoping against hope that all complete by July,but not holding breath!!   Johnnyboy    Report

17/04/2008, 15:59 ali-cat Joined on 15/12/2005 Charente Maritime Posts 1,047 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort I've always loved the thought of having underfloor heating & when we were house hunting saw a few properties which had it.  The rooms were lovely & warm & the thought of walking around with warm bare feet .....oh, lovely!! My only concern is (& I'm not joking!) what would I hang clothes over, that need dried really quickly, without radiators!!  It's a trivial thought & I know there are probably very good solutions (including buying a tumble drier!) but it would put me off - sad but true!! Many years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.    Report

17/04/2008, 16:10 Gluestick Joined on 22/03/2006 UK and Nord Pas de Calais Posts 2,342 Re: Is underfloor heating really worth the effort Wet UFH doesn't prevent having a towel rail installed. You simply cut in a feed and return circuit before the manifold. You can Mix 'N Match UFH with rads. Best of all, a towel rail with an electric element too for Summer when the heating is possibly switched off.   "Yes, but that apart, Mrs Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?" Gluestick    Report

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