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Best underfloor heating.

14 replies

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 13:47

Hopefully someone can help shed some light on this. We are looking at two new builds, one has a gas fuelled underfloor heating system and the other has an air source heat pump. What are the pro’s and con’s of each and which will be the most economical to run.
We have been told by one builder that air source heat pumps can sound cheap to run in in theory but actually turn out to be much more expensive in practice.
Please help with your experiences regarding both.

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RidingMyBike · 05/03/2023 18:24

Depends on a lot of things! How well insulated is each house? What sort of lifestyle do you have (ASHP provides a lower level of heat so works better over long periods. You don't run them like gas boilers with two bursts of heating per day. So if you eg WFH it might be better. If you work long shifts and need the heating to boost when you get home then maybe the gas boiler).
Are there solar panels fitted as that helps with ASHP running costs?

Skye85 · 05/03/2023 18:37

God don't get underfloor heating all round the house. It's a nightmare. I would only consider to put it in a bathroom tbh .

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 20:35

Thanks for the replies.
Both houses would be high EPC B ratings as you would expect in a new build. The house with the ASHP does have solar panels fitted, how much would that help to reduce running costs? We would be predominately home based so that may work in favour of an ASHP.
Does anyone have any further pro’s and con’s or any running costs that they could share. We were told that it is not uncommon for homeowners with ASHP to discard them in favour of gas underfloor heating due to exorbitant running costs. Can anyone shed any more light on this as we found this to be obviously concerning.

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Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 20:39

Skye85 · 05/03/2023 18:37

God don't get underfloor heating all round the house. It's a nightmare. I would only consider to put it in a bathroom tbh .

Can I ask why?
We would plan to run underfloor heating on the ground floor only. We’re you referring to having the heating installed on every floor?

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Viewfrommyhouse · 05/03/2023 20:40

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 20:39

Can I ask why?
We would plan to run underfloor heating on the ground floor only. We’re you referring to having the heating installed on every floor?

I've got wet UFH throughout the downstairs of my house and I have no regrets!

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 20:44

Viewfrommyhouse · 05/03/2023 20:40

I've got wet UFH throughout the downstairs of my house and I have no regrets!

Thanks for the reply, can I ask if you have gas or ASHP?

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Viewfrommyhouse · 05/03/2023 20:50

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 20:44

Thanks for the reply, can I ask if you have gas or ASHP?

Neither - we're on oil (out in the middle of nowhere).

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 21:01

Viewfrommyhouse · 05/03/2023 20:50

Neither - we're on oil (out in the middle of nowhere).

OK thanks for that 😀

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Summerhillsquare · 05/03/2023 21:02

I have underfloor heating with ASHP and PV. Love it. Cheap as chips to run, the floor acts as a heat store, and do if you get a cheaper night time tariff you can heat it up during the early morning, and again around noon when the sun is shining.

Bluepixel · 05/03/2023 22:04

Summerhillsquare · 05/03/2023 21:02

I have underfloor heating with ASHP and PV. Love it. Cheap as chips to run, the floor acts as a heat store, and do if you get a cheaper night time tariff you can heat it up during the early morning, and again around noon when the sun is shining.

That is really interesting. I take it you don’t have the underfloor heating on all the time then and only when the tariff is low. Obviously this is enough to heat the house though so that is an encouraging point.

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RidingMyBike · 05/03/2023 22:46

It's very difficult to answer as depends on size of house too and how many solar panels. If you have enough and battery storage you could potentially be looking at tiny energy costs.

Be a bit wary of some of the anti-ASHP people and find out where they got their info from. My DM reads a lot of negative stuff about them in the Telegraph (she actually has very little idea about them!) and has been very anti us getting them!

I joined the U.K. Heatpumps group on Facebook and have found it helpful. There are people there very happy with them and others less so. It looks like there tends to be a period of adjustment whilst you get used to how they work and some of the installers aren't very good at providing instructions.

Summerhillsquare · 06/03/2023 08:48

With an ASHP it's a low temperature system. This makes it more efficient. Some people prefer to have it on low continuously. It's a lovely background heat, much nicer than radiators.

Reallybadidea · 06/03/2023 08:58

When thinking about costs, it's worth bearing in mind that as we use to more renewable energy generation, electricity is likely to reduce in price in relation to gas. So if this is a long term house what is economical now may not be so in future. And also what is the insulation like in the two houses because that will make a big difference.

Bluepixel · 06/03/2023 12:10

A big thank you to everyone for providing such helpful and useful advice. You have all given us a better insight into a subject that we knew very little about. Both houses are approx 3000 square feet and have very large living space kitchens. We have been told by the builders that both houses are very well insulated, higher end EPC B rating.
We will have further discussions with the builders, raising the points you have all so generously provided for us.
If anyone has any further advice to add we would love to hear it.

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