How expensive was underfloor heating compared to radiators...

[TDiddy]

Planning wooden floors and decided to replace pipes whilst we are down there. Planning to replace radiators with old style radiators but wondering about underfloor central heating. Has anyone done this? Was it expensive and are you happy with it?

thanks

[Katymac]

Are you talking wet or dry?

Dry is expensive to fit & fairly expensive to run

Wet is more expensive to fit & fairly cheap to run

Although tbh when I did my research (a while ago) neither were recommended with wooden floors as wood is not a good conductor of heat

[TDiddy]

*Katymac- I am going for wet. I did dry electric in previous house and it was very expensive to run and i regretted it.

Just found this debate about pros and cons.

[Katymac]

Have a look on the Greenbuilding forum - I think there is lots of stuff on there about it

It's the efficiency that would worry me - combined with the thinness of wood needed t make it efficient iyswim

[TDiddy]

thanks Katymac will do so. I have the same worry and now tending to radiators with radiator covers which look nice and help heating efficiency, apparently. Was thinking of Period radiators but I think that I might tire of them and that they might be too fussy?

[TDiddy]

Another good critique

[Pannacotta]

My plumber recommended cast iron radiators (we have a big, cold house with tall ceilings) but they are very ££ to buy, even reclaimed ones.

I dont understand how rad covers can help with efficiency though, surely they block the heat from getting into the room?

[Cataline]

Glad you are aware of the running cost of dry UFH - we weren't - used it for 2 months solid then got electricity bill and have never used it since!!!

[TDiddy]

I am guessing that the impact isn't that big but...you know that radiators are most efficient if located at coldest part of the room, usually external wall/under window. Well here is the blurb........ cold air is drawn into the base of the cover at floor level. Natural convection then forces the air through the cover exiting through the grilles. The top shelf of the Radiator Cover helps redirect the heated air back into the room at the correct height level......

hmmm

[TDiddy]

this one has impressive diagrams explaining

We will go for radiator covers with big long radiators especially under big bay windows though.

[TDiddy]

Cataline- some happened here. It was the loviest, warmest three months spent in our kitchen. It was really really high bill. Wouldn't have felt so bad if we had made more use of that warm floor

[Pannacotta]

WOuldnt it be easier to simply put a shelf above the radiator?
Am not that convinced about the efficiency of rad covers.

[TDiddy]

Panna- plumber today was saying that the same about not being convinced about radiator covers' efficiency. Shelves above the radiator would probably not help with sucking with the ideal convection flow as described but could serve useful ornamental purpose. Where did you get your period radiators if you don't mind me asking?

thx

[Pannacotta]

TDiddy I bought them off our old plumber (he was moving abroad) but he got them from reclamation yeards.
They are cast iron, really heavy and look great - sitting in our garage until we get round to replumbing the house!

Re the shelf above the radiator I was thinking that this would help push heat into the room rather than up into the ceiling which is was usually happens I think.

[missingtheaction]

TDiddy, if I had the chance to install wet underfloor heating instead of radiators I would jump at it. IME it was so much cheaper to run than radiators, and much nicer heat.

You can get new 'old' radiators from places like Bisque - i would imagine they are more efficient than reclaimed ones but 1000 x the price!

[TDiddy]

Thanks. But we are being told that wood is such a good insulator that we are going against the grain if we did underfloor heating? Have you "experienced it" with wood or know anyone who has undefloor heating and wood? The carpets in our house have to go!

[fanjolina]

I bhave used this site before fir purchasing radiators. They were very good. I bught modern ones, but the page I have linked you to is cast iron old sty;e ones. Very reasonably priced.

[TDiddy]

fanjolina many thanks. Will have a look when i get back from work tonight.

[fanjolina]

Excuse crap typing - am bf'ing and typing with two left fingers!

[TDiddy]

Not at all. Thanks for going to the trouble. I am impressed that you are type and bf!