superkitty Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Morning all We are moving house in a few months, but before we do, we are going to have quite a lot of work done inside, including new oak floor throughout. We both like the idea of underfloor heating, so this'd be the perfect time to do it. But I'm a bit dubious about taking all the radiators out (although I LOVE the idea of it!) We'll have an open fire in the living room (replacing it with a wood burner at some point) which we could light if it got toooooo cold, but I'm a bit chilly a lot of the time so am worried about it not being warm enough! Anyone got underfloor heating already, that can reassure me? Or any tips or no-no's in terms of what systems to use, who fits them etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 I don't know about any technicalities, but about 10 years ago we rented a cottage for a year with underfloor heating on the ground floor and it was great. The best bit was the bathroom, really toasty, but it worked well in a huge farmhouse kitchen as well. I can't remember if it was in the sitting room or not, although there was a fireplace in there and I have a vague feeling there may have been a radiator as well. I was certainly never cold. I have a feeling the cottage was well insulated, it had recently been done up, so that would make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 My in-laws have it and their house is certainly never cold! One thing though if you have dogs you made need to find something to put their water bowls on. Their dog stopped drinking until they worked out she didn't like warm water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 One thing though if you have dogs you made need to find something to put their water bowls on. Their dog stopped drinking until they worked out she didn't like warm water We don't have dogs (yet!) but I'll have to bear that in mind for my cats, who have (ahem) their own drinking fountain Ok that's two votes for yes! My mum is all doom and gloom about it...but that's because she knew someone who laid it under a concrete floor and then had to use a pneumatic drill to get the floor up when it went wrong . We're thinking floorboards and tile! Hmm...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 We have under floor heating in our kitchen, downstairs loo and hallway. It is the warm water type that has to be buried under concrete before it can be tiled over and runs off our gas boiler. We have had it for 3 years when we renovated our then derelict house and I would fully recommend it. My two doggies love laying on it and do that full stretch legs behind pose so they can get their bellies flat to the floor!!! We also have the electric film type that goes under an oak floor in our upstairs bathroom and that is not so effective and I am not sure it would be warm enough on its own. We have a heated towel rail in that room as well and I think that makes a difference. There are many different types of underfloor heating for different floor surfaces and as I have found, some are more effective than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 We moved into our current house 6 years ago when it was just a few months old so the underfloor heating was installed when it was built. We have a wet system ( warm water pipes set in concrete)that runs off the LPG boiler - it is the best heating ever! It is only downstairs and we have radiators in the two upstairs bedrooms and bathroom but they are kept on very low as the heat from downstairs keeps the upstairs warm. The only radiators we have downstairs are heated towel rail radiators in the bathrooms and they're great for drying small items on.....I missed radiators for drying washing on in the beginning but not anymore. We haven't got the heating on yet but when we do we'll just have it on low until the weather becomes really cold as we use the log burner in the lounge in the evenings. The underfloor heating just ticking away on low gives an overall warmth.....and lovely warm ankles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 So sounds like the hot water type might be more efficient then - interesting! We have a guy coming out to advise us (after we've got the keys - we were supposed to exchange today but didnt ) on all sorts of energy stuff in a couple of weeks, so we're going to pick his brains as well. It does sound like it might be what we're looking for though. Exciting! I can just imagine my cats I won't be able to get them out of a supine position...it's hard enough as it is! Although Cha Cha did kindly deposit a dead mouse in DH's shoe between him taking them off on Saturday night and putting them on on Sunday morning. His face! Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Its certainly warm, our friend has it and her house is toasty. However did anyone mention efficiency / economy. How does that compare as I know my friend spends a fortune on oil for her oil fired system. And whilst friends dog loves it, her real christmas trees didnt and died so quickly she now has a fake one. I know thats a daft consideration but I do love a real tree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
