Now that last Thursday's blog has you on board with all of the benefits of underfloor heating systems, we can go into a little more detail about the types of UFH systems that are available to you. There are two major types of UFH systems: wet (water-based) systems and dry (electric) systems. Both are highly efficient with their own set of pros and cons and, while neither would be a bad choice, you should do your research and talk to a professional to make sure you're making the best choice for your home.
Let's get started with electric underfloor heating systems. These dry systems are made up of a series of heating cables that are either woven into a mat, attached to a film, or laid out in ribbon cables. You can roll out and connect as many of the mats as needed and then link them up to your thermostat and power supply. Once that is taken care of, your floor will be laid on top.
The nice thing about dry underfloor heating systems is that they are usually cheaper and less invasive to install. Unfortunately, that's about where the savings end as far as UFH systems go. Dry UFH systems cost significantly more than wet ones to run and, depending on how often it gets cold enough in your state to run your UFH, it may be worth it to spend the extra money up front for a water-based system because of this.
On that note, let's talk about water-based systems. Rather than mats woven with wires, wet UFH systems use pipes connected to your boiler to warm your home. This system takes a bit more time to heat up than the electric mats, but does a fantastic job keeping your home nice and toasty once it has reached the proper temperature. Even better, they do all of this without needing more than minimal maintenance!
Of course, all good things come at a price, and the installation price on a wet UFH system can be tough to look at. Running a series of pipes beneath your floorboards or tiles is going to take time and money to do properly. But remember, the efficiency of this system is going to save you money in the long run, so be sure to look at the whole picture when making your decision between the two UFH systems.
No matter which system you choose, we are confident that you will enjoy the luxury offered by underfloor heating. Nothing feels quite as good as stepping onto a warm floor after traversing through the Michigan snow, after all.
Happy Flooring!