Underfloor heating upstairs? (wet)

[ShortLass]

The plan is for a wee extension downstairs if the drawings ever get done, if I ever get builders to quote, book them in, etc etc (stress!) and retrofit underfloor heating for the downstairs.

But I also want underfloor heating upstairs. This would be the sort where pipes fit into spreader plates laid across joists, which have to be notched at each end to allow the pipe to turn.

Anyone got any experiences? One heating engineer I spoke to advised that I spend my money just on downstairs. But then he also recommended the wrong type of system for the engineered wood floor I was planning , so I'm taking his advice with a pinch of salt. He also said it's because I would spend most of my time downstairs. Well, I actually spend many hours in my upstairs office.

Do the plates make tick-tick-tick noises when they heat up, like radiators? With houses heated by radiators, I can't put the heating on before I get up because it wakes me up. I have to get up, then turn the heating on. I know UFH takes longer to heat up, so wondering if this is a problem.

I would love the more comfortable feeling that comes from UFH, especially while working in the office. Also would love to zone the upstairs so I don't have to heat rooms I'm not using.

Experiences welcomed!

[namechangedtoday15]

Have you considered electric UFH for just the office? I don't know much about wet UFH and whether its economical to install upstairs if you're doing downstairs at the same time, but we've just installed electric UFH just for the family bathroom and the ensuite. Each is on a separate system - each has a little control panel on the wall outside that can be programmed. Heats up very quickly (I think wet UFH can take a while whilst the water is pushed round) etc. I know people say its expensive to run, but I think it would be easier to install (and cheaper) and cheaper in the long run if the alternative is that you have to have all of your whole house / whole upstairs heating on, even though you're only using the office.

[ShortLass]

Everyone I've spoken to who has had electric underfloor heating doesn't use it because it's too expensive to run.

It would be ok for a small bathroom where it's not turned on much (was considering as an alternative for the ensuite), but big areas eat money.

[namechangedtoday15]

Sorry, I got the impression that you were just looking at how to heat your office! Yes, not viable for a big area probably but I meant wet for downstairs. electric for your office!

[ShortLass]

Appreciate it, namechanged. Going to use second bedroom for office and it's not so small (fed up of being squeezed in third bedroom). I'm told electric would only be supplementary heating to radiators in such a room.

[namechangedtoday15]

Thats not true - it can be the principal source of heat in any size room provided you get the correct type, but appreciate you might not want it due to cost. Go to an independent retailer and ask for some unbiased opinions.

[Pradaqueen]

I have retro fit UFh upstairs and downstairs. We used Wundafloor. Great firm to deal with and product fits over floorboards. We have oil-fired CH. best thing about it is no noise when heating up and freedom of furniture placement plus a constant temp in a very old house. Very economic to run each room has its own thermostat.

[ShortLass]

Exactly what I was hoping it would be like, Pradaqueen. Have not looked at Wunderfloor, but will take a look now.

[user1471549018]

Pradaqueen I'm looking at getting UFH in our bedroom but also getting rid of our radiator. Is that what you have done or do you need both? Wundafloor looks perfect- what sort of cost is it?

Sorry to hijack

[Pradaqueen]

Hi I think from memory around 4 yrs ago for a 3500sqft house it was £6-7k plus fitting. You need to follow exactly the recommendation for tile adhesive to ensure the guarantee. All skirting, doors etc have to come off so it's not for the faint hearted! There are no rads in our house anywhere. Only pain is drying towels but I am the only mother in the world who doesn't mind them on the floor as they dry

[FurbysMakeSexNoises]

We have wet in our newly renovated bathrooms and just adore it but you are correct it does take hours to warm up- e.g. We set it via the room thermostat to come on at 5 and not fully heated 90mins later. Once going the room is toasty and cosy and a delight- no cold spots. And so far not too pricey to run.

[user1471549018]

Thanks pradaqueen. Sounds great although a bit put off that skirting boards have to come off... Something to think about

[Pradaqueen]

I have to say we have no lag in heating up with our system. Toasty in under 20mins I reckon

[ShortLass]

I think retrofit (low profile) ufh heats up a lot quicker than what would be put down in a new build. But 20 minutes is pretty quick.

What flooring did you go with upstairs? I know carpet is fine, but slightly concerned about it being a warm haven for things like dust mite.

[Pradaqueen]

Porcelain tile everywhere downstairs and wool carpet upstairs except in the bathrooms where we have ceramic tiles

[Bakersdelight]

Pradaqueen do you have underlay under your carpet?