Choosing the right type underfloor heating for your home - Electric Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating has become more and more popular over the years. With gas prices rising, one of the best ways to fight against rising bills is to install underfloor heating. Underfloor heating can lower your energy costs significantly if you are currently using a condensed boiler. No matter what type of traditional heating system you might have, an underfloor heating system will lower your energy bills by at least 15%. Since most homes suffer higher energy bills when the cold season sets in, it pays to install an underfloor heating system in your home.

There are a number of different underfloor heating choices for your home. You need to know about both options in underfloor heating to make sure that you choose the right one. In addition, different homes and different construction professionals or amateurs will select one version of the underfloor heating versus another. No matter what, installing underfloor heating can be a fairly simple installation compared to many other home upgrades.

The two most popular forms of underfloor heating are electric mats and cables or a single system that offers a number of cables, thermostat controller and more. The first option with the electric mats and cables allows do-it-yourselfers the opportunity to install underfloor heating simply (up to the point of connecting the electrical connections, this must be carried out by a qualified electrician). The electric mats will unroll to cover the biggest amount of area possible. You can maximise the square footage of the underfloor heating system to make the most of this efficient form of heating for your home.

Each of the electric mats has cables that are attached. The cables can be routed from the mats to different areas of the floor. You will want to spread the cables throughout the floor area to provide warm flooring materials everywhere you will stand. If you are putting the electric mats in the bathroom, for example, you will want to put cables around the toilet, by the shower and by the sink so these popular areas in your bathroom are well-warmed during the cooler months.

The other form of underfloor heating requires a higher level of skill. If you are trained in installing underfloor heating or have years of experience in electrical work and home construction, you might find this option more attractive. Having a professional install your underfloor heating will cost you more than if you installed the option yourself, but you will also have the piece of mind to know that everything has been put in properly and is a legal requirement.