What is the best underfloor heating system?
Best water underfloor heating system
Clockwork UFH install underfloor heating systems for new build and retrofit projects. The best water underfloor heating system for our customers depends on their specific needs and the existing floor.
Key features to look for in a water underfloor heating system
Key features to look for when choosing a water underfloor heating system include:
- Type of UFH system (low- profile, traditional, suspended etc.)
- Energy efficiency and running costs, particularly for large spaces
- Compatibility with the existing heat source (boiler, heat pump or other renewables)
- Compatibility with the existing floor structure if the underfloor heating is to be retrofitted
- Complexity of installation as this will affect costs
- Long-term warranty
- Compatibility with your preferred floor finish (carpet, tiles, vinyl etc.).
Low-profile / slimline vs traditional wet systems: pros and cons
Low profile, also known as slimline, UFH systems are ideal for properties with shallow floors.
Low profile UFH system pros
- Can be installed in floors as shallow as 18mm
- Additional levelling compound (for creating a smooth, level surface on uneven subfloors prior to installation) is not required
- It is unlikely the floor level will need to be raised to accommodate a low profile UFH system, making it ideal for renovations or rooms with low ceilings
- Easy to install, often over the existing floor
- Faster drying times than traditional UFH systems under a layer of screed.
Low profile UFH system cons
- Initial costs can be higher than traditional UFH systems, especially for larger spaces
- Thinner pipes can produce a higher flow resistance which limits the length of pipe circuits, so multiple circuits are required for larger rooms
- Due to lack of space low profile UFH systems are sometimes installed without a layer of insulation which allows heat to be lost downwards.
Best pipe types and layouts for efficient water UFH
The best pipe types are widely considered to be PEX-a, PEX-c, PERT, PERT-AL-PERT and Polybutylene (PB). They offer varying flexibility, thermal resistance, cost-effectiveness and distribution.
The three main pipe layouts for efficient water UFH are:
- Single serpentine in a zig-zag pattern with entry and exit points next to each other. This is usually used with spreader plates, otherwise it can distribute heat unevenly
- Double serpentine is the same pattern in which cooler water runs alongside the warm water near the pipe entrance which lets the temperature level out and produce a more even distribution of heat
- Concentric circles provide most heat around the outskirts of a room where the heat is more likely to escape. With heat loss at its lowest in the centre of the room, the overall temperature should be even.
Integration with heat sources
Wet UFH systems can be integrated with traditional boilers, or renewable energy options such as heat pumps and hybrid heat systems which combine two or more heat sources, usually a heat pump and a boiler.
The benefits of using a heat pump rather than a traditional boiler for underfloor heating include a more efficient system, lower running costs, far fewer carbon emissions, and no more reliance on gas.
Warranty, servicing and reliability: what distinguishes top systems
Top underfloor heating systems will be supplied with robust, long-term (sometimes lifetime) warranties. Key material components such as the pipes will be highly durable. For your peace of mind a top underfloor heating system will be well maintained with a robust service plan.
While maintenance of wet underfloor heating systems is minimal, owners of a top system will be offered regular checks on controls and thermostats, flushing and cleaning of the system, pressure tests and the bleeding of trapped air.
Clockwork UFH – underfloor heating specialists
Speak to Clockwork UFH about a wet underfloor heating system for your property or build project.
Plan, Insulate, Heat and Screed
Our 4 Step Process
1
Planning & design
2
Lay insulation
3
Install underfloor heating
4
Pour liquid floor screed
PROJECT FOCUS
High end Residential, Manchester
We planned and installed an underfloor heating system into a contemporary home in Manchester. Not only that, we finished the installation with a smooth, even and high quality liquid floor screed.
Our team worked with the end user’s architect, ensuring the home benefitted with a visually striking but also inherently comfortable and environmentally conscious heating solution.
The client now enjoys an enhanced living experience, reduced energy bills, and an aesthetically uncompromised living space that flows through the whole house.
See What Our
Customers Say
“From our initial consultations to the flawless installation, Clockwork’s team demonstrated not just technical prowess, but a nuanced understanding of architectural essentials.
Their underfloor heating system effortlessly merged into our designs, preserving every ounce of spatial aesthetics while embedding an unperceivable, yet palpably comforting warmth throughout the residence.
In Clockwork, I found more than a solution provider; I discovered collaborators who understand, respect, and enhance the architectural journey. Their integrative approach, precision, and unyielding commitment to quality have made them my go-to partners for all underfloor heating needs.”
D. Smith
Architect, Cheshire
Why work with us
For your Underfloor Heating Project?
Expertise in underfloor heating: Specialists in underfloor heating installation for residential and commercial needs.
Unique advantages: Providing distinct benefits over traditional heating methods to both homeowners and businesses.
One-stop solution: Offering a comprehensive four-step process (Plan, Insulate, Heat, & Screed) for a streamlined underfloor heating solution.
Collaborative approach: In partnership with our sister company, Clockwork Screed, ensuring a unified solution for insulation, underfloor heating, and screeding.
Simplified project management: Eliminating the complexity of dealing with multiple suppliers, facilitating a smoother and hassle-free project execution for architects, contractors, and homeowners.
