Is Underfloor Heating Eco-Friendly?
As part of Ireland’s commitment to reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy consumption, sustainable home heating solutions have been in the spotlight in recent years. One such solution being considered by homeowners and builders alike is underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating works by pumping hot water through pipes underneath the home to radiate heat throughout the room. While this sounds generally efficient, the question still remains: is underfloor heating eco-friendly? The short answer to this question is yes, but there are a number of things to be aware of to ensure that you fully understand why underfloor heating can be a green choice.
Underfloor Heating & Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a key measure of how eco-friendly a home heating system is. Underfloor heating performs well on this front, as although it uses water that has been heated by a boiler, much lower temperatures are required in comparison to central heating systems. Rather than being sent to radiators which heat a specific area or corner of a room, the hot water is distributed to pipes buried in the floor and can emit heat much more evenly. This means that underfloor heating can be deemed eco-friendly as it requires less energy to create a more comfortable environment.
Reduced Heat Loss
Another quality of underfloor heating that makes it eco-friendly is its ability to reduce heat loss. Radiators in the home can often lead to heat loss due to convection and uneven distribution, whereas underfloor heating eliminates the need for convection currents. With an underfloor heating system, heat can radiate evenly upwards from the surface of the floor which results in less energy waste and ultimately lower energy bills: a win-win for cost-savvy but sustainable homeowners!
Turn Down The Thermostat
The heat emitted from underfloor heating systems is generally described as a gentle feeling of warmth as opposed to a sudden hot draught. Generally, these comfortable temperatures mean that you can consistently turn the thermostat down with underfloor heating systems, not only making energy savings but also making a positive environmental impact by reducing your carbon footprint.
Perfect With A Heat Pump
As with any heating solution, a balanced approach is essential when making sustainable choices. Though underfloor heating can run alongside a conventional gas or oil boiler, this type of system is also compatible with an air-to-water heat pump. Heat pumps do not rely on fossil fuels to generate heat and instead extract warm air from the outside and circulate it around the home. Combining these systems may have a higher installation cost, but doing so can ensure that your underfloor heating is even more eco-friendly than if it were to be powered via fossil fuels.
If you are considering underfloor heating for your home, its energy efficiency, low possible running costs and compatibility with other sustainable home heating solutions can make it an eco-friendly choice. The expert team here at Pipelife Eco can help you understand if underfloor heating could be suitable for your home, with or without a heat pump. Simply get in touch with us today to discuss how you can make your home more eco-friendly.