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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> storage vs underfloor heating https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1087929284 Message started by TheMice on Jun 22^nd, 2004, 7:34pm

Title: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by TheMice on Jun 22^nd, 2004, 7:34pm

I am in the process of buying a new house which is all electric storage heated, Is this expensive to run? how would it compare in price to electric underfloor heating? what would be the initial setup costs for a room 15' x 12'. I work as an elec/mech Technician in industry so would like to attempt fitting myself.
Any ideas. ???

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by greg on Jun 24^th, 2004, 1:32pm

Wouldnt use electric UFH unless i planned to move within next ten years - as i have been told - (by wet UFH manufacturers so there could be a bit of bias in it) that electric UFH has a shelf life of approx 10 yrs due to the nature of relying on electric to heat a cable that will eventually break down in the same way that ordinary electric cable does.

Whats the sparkies view?

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by The_Trician on Jun 24^th, 2004, 6:41pm

I'd go for gas or oil heating full-stop.

Electric heating of any kind costs a fortune to run in comparison.

As for heater cables breaking down its quite possible but I'd have thought it unlikely. Anything will expand and contract with changes in temperature, so I guess there'll be some mechanical loading on the cables/terminations etc.

I don't like electric underfloor heating - if it goes wrong you have to dig the blinking floor up - not cheap if it is a laminate, or tiled floor.

TT

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by Lectrician on Jun 24^th, 2004, 6:44pm

Yea, underfloor heating is an element after all, all elements give up after a while.

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by big_all on Jun 24^th, 2004, 6:48pm

i thought underfloor heating was only background
heating not sutable for warming rooms up

but what do i know :o :o :o :o ;D

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by scotspark on Jun 24^th, 2004, 8:04pm

wet underfloor can be used as central heating but only seen electric as a background under tiles in kitchens bathrooms conservatorys etc.

as lec said it is an element and it is bound to go sooner or later

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by Lectrician on Jun 24^th, 2004, 9:02pm

Only background heat as far as i have seen. Very low running costs really, and you dont get something for nothing in this world!!!

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by TheMice on Jun 24^th, 2004, 9:27pm

Thanks for the replies,
The house is out in the sticks so has no gas supply and is in really good condition so I dont really fancy ripping up floors etc. to fit all the pipework for oil fired central heating so looks like I'll have to put up with the storage heaters for the time being.

Unless their are any other options not mentioned here?

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by Lectrician on Jun 24^th, 2004, 9:32pm

I have seen 'electric boilers', wet cent heat/cyliner, but instead of a gas or oil boiler, its an electric one. Very inificient, they start ay 6kW and go upto 12kW I think, and can be run in parallel (say 3 12kW plumbed in parallel, and put on 3 phase.) They have a large feed in, and a boiler 'trigger' input from the cent heat wiring.

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by Beanzy on Jun 24^th, 2004, 9:36pm

We had Storage when moved here two years ago. Got Oil fired and costs about 1/4 of old bill to run per year and that's including running the AGA 24/7/365. If you get a good heating specialist they can do a combi boiler for the hot water and heating, and will route the pipework via roof cavities or can chase it in if necessary. Drops to rads can be hidden behind door openings, �frames etc. and if you go for fancy rads like we did they can run the pipes down behind the rad to hide it. Worked well. Spend plenty of time coming up with crafty ways to hide the pipe runs and it'll pay off.

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by TheMice on Jun 24^th, 2004, 9:56pm

I think the previous owners may have been telling porkies when they told me the heating and hot water bill was �400 per year.

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by greg on Jun 28^th, 2004, 11:15pm

get a good firm in, specify when they come to survey that you want the floors to be lifted and replaced carefully, aware that this takes time and except the additional costs - no reason why you cant have a good CH install

Title: Re: storage vs underfloor heating
Post by chtechie on Jun 29^th, 2004, 9:06pm

Had electric storage boiler (24Kw) when I lived in the sticks - works just like any wet CH system problems start if you run out of stored heat - boiler goes on to boost at full rate, costs a fortune and bu**er all heat comes out of it - result moaning wife and kids. Last figures about 6 years ago circa �800 for a full year.

Properly installed oil is probably your answer.