How To Prepare Your Underfloor Heating System For Winter
An underfloor heating system is a great thing to have in your home year-round, but especially in winter, where its ability to create comfortable, efficient heating is most valued. Naturally, that also means that you don’t want it to fail on you with cold weather setting in. Here are our tips on preparing your underfloor heating in winter to ensure it’s in tip-top shape.
Why An Underfloor Heating System Is Perfect For Winter
Underfloor heating really comes into its own when cold weather sets in. Unlike the uneven heating created by a traditional radiator system, the even distribution of heat from underfloor heating creates a comfortable ambient temperature across the whole room – no cold spots to worry about. It’s also much cheaper to run than radiators, thanks to the lower operating temperature it runs at, so it’s saving you money on your heating bill while keeping you cosy.
Give Your System A Proper Test Run Before Winter Sets In
Give yourself a few weeks in advance to give your underfloor heating system a proper test run before winter. Pay attention to how it performs, making sure that it’s providing a comfortable, even heat across the whole area, that it’s not making any unusual noises and that there’s no delay in the time it takes to warm the room up. Bear in mind that underfloor heating works more slowly than radiators do, so make sure you’re patient with it and not jump to conclusions prematurely.
Flush Your System If It’s Due
You should be flushing your underfloor heating system every 3-5 years to make sure it’s performing at top capacity. This will remove any air pockets and debris from the system and help to protect your pipes from corrosion, increasing the efficiency and lifespan of your system.
Keep A Close Eye On Your Energy Use
Watch out for any sudden spikes in energy consumption. This will be the first and most obvious sign that something has gone wrong with your underfloor heating. Losses in efficiency can be caused by a variety of different issues, such as trapped air in the pipes, faults in your thermostat or problems with insulation. Sudden increases in energy usage are an indicator of these kinds of problems, so keep an eye on it.
Schedule A Professional Check-Up
The best way to make sure that your underfloor heating system is running fully as intended is to book a check-up with a qualified heating engineer. They’ll be able to test all of the components properly and make adjustments to the system as needed. If you want to make 100% sure that you’ve caught any problems before winter sets in, this is by far the most accurate way of doing so.
If you need any advice on looking after your underfloor heating in winter, then get in contact with the experts at Pipelife. We’re happy to help, and our extensive experience in home heating means that you can rest assured that you’re getting great advice from the experts.