Floor Heating
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Why Floor Heating?
Floor heating is known by many names. Installers call it in-floor heating, in-slab heating, under-tile heating or underfloor heating.
Although, all these names refer to the floor heating concept there are some subtle differences. In addition, there are cost effective variations such as under-carpet heating.
The floor heating is a unique way to capture the heat efficiently with little or no maintenance. Heat travels upwards and it is natural that it should be generated from the bottom.
This is one problem which ducted heating cannot overcome. It pushes the heat down from the attic forcing it to accumulate near the ceiling.
Another advantage of the floor heating is the installation. The underfloor heaters are invisible - there are no holes in walls or ceiling.
Floor heating is also versatile because it can be incorporated into any building project. Therefore, the efficiency and esthetics makes the floor heating a product of choice.
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Slab Heating
In-slab heating uses heating elements which are embedded into a concrete of the house foundations. This method is only applicable to new houses.
The slab heating cables are installed when the slab is poured. The way slab heating mechanism works is by using a thermal mass.
Usually, slab stores the heat at night and releases it to provide a continuous heat energy during the day.
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Undefloor Heaters For Tiles
These under-tile heating systems are designed for existing homes. Rather then to place heating elements in the concrete slab, the in-screed heating cables or heating mats are inserted into a cement or under the timber.
This underfloor heating is also known as the "demand heating". The reason for this is the efficiency of the system which allows the house to heat up quickly.
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Floor Heating Hybrids
A lot of home owners prefer to utilise both types of under floor heating mechanisms. They use slab heating downstairs and the under-tile heating upstairs.
This way, the entire house uses both systems efficiently.
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Floor Heating Issues
Floor heating uses the electricity which is more expensive than gas. Perhaps, combination of solar panels to generate additional electricity for the underfloor heaters can reduce the running costs in the future.
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Underfloor Heating Prices
You can expect to pay about $50 per square meter for the slab heating system. Similarly, you will pay between $40-$50 per square meter for under-tile heaters.
Timber floors may set you back by as much as $70 per square meter to have them wired. Mat type heating elements can go up to $90 per square meter.
These are of course rough figures and there will be other factors, which will determine the overall cost. As for the Australian under floor heating companies you can try Pyrotenax, Elektra (P.A.P. Heating Solutions) and Speedheat.
In fact, the Speedheat has introduced a tile-glue cable which uses far less energy to produce the same heat as the ordinary in-screed cable.
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Floor Heating: Slab Heating, Undefloor Heaters, Floor Heating Hybrids, Floor Heating Issues and Prices
Floor heating is known by many names: in-floor heating, in-slab heating, under-tile heating or underfloor heating.