If you are considering adding a conservatory to your home, it is worthwhile bearing in mind how you are going to heat it. You want to be able to benefit from the extra room it provides all year round, not just in the summer, so don't you owe it to yourself to install the best heating system available?
Underfloor heating provides a more comfortable heat than any other method and offers many conventional methods. (an animation highlighting the difference).
Creating a feeling of well being, as it gently and evenly warms your conservatory, underfloor heating produces a high level of radiant heat, emitted from the whole floor area.
How does it work?
Underfloor heating works by circulating warm water (around 30-50C°) through a network of cross linked polyethylene pipe circuits laid in the floor which gently spread heat from the floor upwards. (comparison of underfloor heating against other heating methods).
With traditional radiators, temperature variations can occur due to uneven radiator coverage and circulation of warm air. This is not so with underfloor heating, as the pipe network covers the entire floor area area for even heat distribution throughout. Room temperature control is via a normal room thermostat. Due to the unique installation process, underfloor heating can be combined with normal heating operating times (usually twice a day). Flow temperature control is achieved with a small unit called the compact mixer, which combines pump, mixed flow and flow temperature control in one compact unit.
Underfloor heating can normally be connected to existing radiator circuits. Your heating installer will check this can be done, but other connection options are usually possible. The compact mixer needs to be installed adjacent to the conservatory and is usually mounted on the wall to be concealed later. The installer will discuss suitable locations with you.
Unobtrusive
With underfloor heating, a new approach to conservatory design can be taken. The whole conservatory can be used, enabling you to position plants and furniture wherever you want.
Flexible
With such large glass areas in conservatories, radiators take up a lot of the remaining and 'valuable' space, which obviously imposes design considerations and difficulties when cleaning and decorating. Choices are many with underfloor heating. A ceramic tile is ideal for heat conduction. Heavy rugs not recommended with electric underfloor heating.
Comfort
Modern control systems enable underfloor heating to provide just the right amount of heat , at the right time and in the right place, thermostatically controlled.
Underfloor heating creates a feeling of well being, as it gently warms the conservatory environment using radiant heat, the same heat you feel from the sun. Underfloor heating means no scalding hot, hard edged radiators for young and old to injure themselves upon.
Clean
With gentle heat radiating passively from the floor, convection currents and draughts are all but eliminated, meaning lower dust levels and less housework!
Low Maintenance
The system is almost zero maintenance, as the tough, robust pipes are corrosion free and resistant to scale build up. Made from smooth lined PE-Xa cross-linked polyethylene, they have an expected life of over one hundred years.
A Room For All Seasons
To be able to use and enjoy your conservatory every day, and not wait for warm and sunny days, the question is why fit anything else?
Underfloor heating will turn your conservatory into a room for everyday use, like no other heating method can.
Through even heat distribution of mainly radiant heat, rather than the convected warm air provided by radiator systems. Underfloor Heating saves energy.
Underfloor heating is also ideal for major projects, such as heating swimming pool surrounds.