Underfloor heating is a modern system that provides uniform heating of the air due to installation under the floor covering. Heating residential buildings in Russia with the help of this innovative technology began relatively recently, but many people have already appreciated the high level of comfort and positive impact on health.
The question of which underfloor heating to choose is faced by every owner who has decided to supplement or replace traditional radiator heating. There are two types, which are distinguished by the type of heating element. You can decide which is better: water or electric, by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, as well as taking into account the characteristics of the room, the specifics of heating installation, calculating the costs of acquiring and maintaining different system options.
Water heated floor
The heating element is hot water. The source of fluid supply is central heating or a gas boiler. The pipeline and the mixing unit are the main components of the structure. Flexible pipes of small diameter made of cross-linked polyethylene or metal-plastic are suitable for laying. The assembly, consisting of a pump, manifold and mixer, is necessary to control the temperature of the liquid.
It is characterized by a number of advantages, due to which it becomes a fairly popular heating system:
- Fire safety.
- Saving electricity.
- Long service life. With high-quality installation and corrosion-resistant pipes, it can last several decades.
- Fits under any floor covering.
- Ability to use offline.
- Complete replacement of the radiator heating system. Such a floor is an alternative to standard thermal supply. It can be used as an addition to existing heating devices and act as an independent design.
However, significant drawbacks limit the possibilities of application:
- The laboriousness of work. It consists of insulating, heat-distributing materials and pipeline conductors. It is installed on a flat, carefully prepared base. As a result, labor costs are paid off by the efficiency of operating the heating system. However, installation costs are clearly higher compared to electric floors.
- Potential for fluid leakage.
- Possibility of use exclusively in the private sector. The supply of water from central heating in apartments is prohibited, since a decrease in pressure in the pipes threatens the uninterrupted supply of heat to the entire high-rise building. Even if the dwelling is equipped with a gas boiler, a special permit will be required for installation. It is rather problematic to agree on it because of the risk of leakage.
The average cost (including installation costs, materials and equipment) per square meter is in the price range from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles.
Electric floors
They are characterized by the supply of thermal energy by heating elements directly to the floor covering, which is both a plus and a minus. Positive features include: constant temperature, rapid heating of the entire surface, laying in any premises with wiring. The disadvantages are high energy costs, incompatibility with certain types of coatings, the need to take into account the arrangement of furniture during installation. Electric floors are convection (mats, cables) and infrared (film):
- Heating mats are a grid into which a special heating cable is glued. Mats are laid over the entire area and reinforced with a layer of tile adhesive. Such a warm floor is suitable for tiles, as well as laminate, parquet, linoleum and others.
- Cables are laid in a cement-sand screed. This option is ideal as an additional source of heat for children's rooms and bedrooms. Installation is carried out in uniform zigzags and can be carried out in rooms of any configuration. The design is distinguished by low cost, the power of the selected system will depend on the density of the stacking of turns.
- The infrared method is a film of small thickness with heating elements. It is the most environmentally friendly and low cost type of electric underfloor heating. The film floor is laid on the base without additional labor-intensive cement work. "Dry Mount" is ideal for laminate or linoleum. Note that this option is not suitable for ceramic tiles. Purchase and work on average will cost from 400 to 2,000 rubles / m2.
Having rationally analyzed all the features, we will give the main recommendations for buyers.
Criteria:
- type of dwelling: apartment or private house;
- heating system: gas boiler or centralized;
- properties of electrical wiring - is it capable of withstanding increased load;
- type of flooring.
The first step is to determine the purpose of the structure: for the main heating or as an addition. It is worth heating the premises only with underfloor heating in well-insulated buildings.
For owners of private houses, a water structure is ideal - it is economical, convenient, suitable for any coating. Apartments can be equipped with electric floors, while taking into account the properties of the wiring, which must withstand increased loads. If you choose a heater in the bathroom, preference should be given to convection, as its system is most suitable for a small area, and it also fits easily under ceramic tiles. For laminate, it is better to use an infrared film type: it is safe, economical and warms up rooms perfectly.
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is pointless to unambiguously advise a certain option. It is necessary to take into account all of the above nuances so as not to make a mistake in the choice. Competent selection and high-quality installation of a suitable type of underfloor heating will create tangible comfort in the house.
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