Electric Underfloor heating

Foxtrot Tango

Hi.

I've already seen some stuff on here on this subject but nothing that fully answered my question.

I'm making some changes to my house - a new kitchen and living area.
Since the plan is to tile the complete area - about 45m2 - I feel we have no option but to lay some underfloor heating to make it comfortable, particularly since this will be our main living area. In fact the intention would be to make the UFH the primary heat source although whichever way we go we will retain 2 radiators in the area that could be use to boost the heat if necessary (but are not enough in themselves to heat the room).

I've looked at both the wet, boiler driven option and the dry, electric mat option and am leaning now towards the electric option mainly because of the initial installation cost. I simply don't believe I can afford to install the wet option.
Also, whilst the electric mat has traditionally been seen as only really appropriate for small areas , bathrooms and kitchens, it appears that this may be changing and that poeple are using it in larger areas (the guys selling the mats tell me this so it must be true !). I guess also, like everything, the technology has moved on and both the mats and the thermostats are better now than in the past (my assumption).
Of course, some people say I'm crazy and that the running cost will cripple me.

So, it would be great to hear people's experience / views on the effectiveness and running cost of using these mats as the primary heating source for an area of 45m2 (ie not just for the luxury feeling of having warm tiles).

Many thanks

Foxtrot Tango

Anyone ?

De.Lite.Touch

Never used one, sorry - it doesn't seem to be a widely used option in Ireland, but I'm not certain.

The best I can advise is Google

"electric underfloor heating problems Ireland"

and see what you find.

De.Lite.Touch

tred

Foxtrot Tango wrote: »

Hi.

I've already seen some stuff on here on this subject but nothing that fully answered my question.

I'm making some changes to my house - a new kitchen and living area.
Since the plan is to tile the complete area - about 45m2 - I feel we have no option but to lay some underfloor heating to make it comfortable, particularly since this will be our main living area. In fact the intention would be to make the UFH the primary heat source although whichever way we go we will retain 2 radiators in the area that could be use to boost the heat if necessary (but are not enough in themselves to heat the room).

I've looked at both the wet, boiler driven option and the dry, electric mat option and am leaning now towards the electric option mainly because of the initial installation cost. I simply don't believe I can afford to install the wet option.
Also, whilst the electric mat has traditionally been seen as only really appropriate for small areas , bathrooms and kitchens, it appears that this may be changing and that poeple are using it in larger areas (the guys selling the mats tell me this so it must be true !). I guess also, like everything, the technology has moved on and both the mats and the thermostats are better now than in the past (my assumption).
Of course, some people say I'm crazy and that the running cost will cripple me.

So, it would be great to hear people's experience / views on the effectiveness and running cost of using these mats as the primary heating source for an area of 45m2 (ie not just for the luxury feeling of having warm tiles).

Many thanks

As its the kitchen/living, have you considered kicker board type radiators, that blow heat across at floor level, linked to ur central heating?

Arciphel

Foxtrot tango, did you ever go ahead with installing this electric underfloor heating system, and if so were you happy with it?

galwaytt

Arciphel wrote: »

Foxtrot tango, did you ever go ahead with installing this electric underfloor heating system, and if so were you happy with it?

Unless you have your own power plant, forget it.

I had it in my old house in one room (utility), and ended up disconnecting the breaker on the circuit to stop it being switched on accidentally. Got caught with a few huge ESB bills before I twigged what it was.

Just my 0.02 - your install may be better.

I mean, it works well, and is easy to fit. It's just the cost of running it that's nuts.

CJhaughey

It depends on a few things, If you have night rate electric you can use that to heat the floor during the night, the price is half that of day rate power.
Is your floor well insulated? if not then it may be very hard to heat.
My house has electric underfloor and wet underfloor but we use neither as the wood stove heats the house to an acceptable degree without any underfloor heating.
Plus we have solid wood flooring and this is different to tiles to walk on when cold.

bigblackmug

my apartment has underfloor electric heating which is very expensive to run.