You want to enjoy living in your home. You want to be warm and comfortable but in a home that is hygienically clean.
The heating system in your property is a contributing factor in maintaining a healthy living environment, but why has underfloor heating in particular been emphasised as one of the healthiest heating systems available today?
This special guest post from Underfloor Heating Trade Supplies takes a look at the four significant health features to underfloor heating.
#1 The way it heats is different to what you’re used to
Firstly, underfloor heating heats a room differently to other heating systems such as roaring log burner or a central heating system.
Convection heat is when a heating element heats the air in a space. As we know, hot air rises and when it reaches the ceiling it cools, falling back down to the floor again. Heat given off by radiators does this.
This continual circling of air moves air contaminated with dust, dust mites and other microscopic pieces of detritus up and around the room, bad news if you have a chest complaint like asthma.
Underfloor heating, on the other hand, is a radiated heat. This means it heats objects in the room – like the floor, your feet etc. This is a far more comfortable way of heating room and, more importantly, it means no dust mites circulating in the air that you breathe.
#2 Gentler, more comfortable heat
Radiators can run very hot. And as for a roaring log burner or open fire, they are fantastic when the wind and rain is lashing at the windows.
But there is a problem with them – they give off such intense levels of heat that the room or space heats up very quickly, almost too quickly. Lack of thermostat on a burning log means that it will give off this intense heat for a while, and is impossible to turn down.
Central heating systems are, to a certain extent, controllable but again, the amount of time it takes for the heat to decrease and dissipate means that the room becomes too hot.
Too much heat means stuffiness. And that means overheating. Next thing, you are throwing open windows and doors to relieve yourself and the room of this stuffy, dry heat.
This is why people hang water receptacles on radiators so that as they heat the room and dry the air, they can put some moisture back.
#3 Works better with hard floors
Underfloor heating works better with a mix of insulated boards or screed casing, topped with a hard floor that is an excellent conductor and retainer of heat.
Hard floors are better and easier to keep hygienically clean than carpet, even if you do have the latest vacuum and have carpets regularly washed.
Dust mites love humid places with plenty of stuff to feed on. The humidity in carpet fibres, complete with central heating along with dust and microscopic flakes of dead skin for food are ideal conditions.
Hard floors, however, afford the dust mite nowhere to hide and this can only be a good thing for you. Your hard floors can be brushed or vacuumed, and mopped daily if needed, therefore there are no dust mites, no tumbleweeds of dust and pet fur to elegantly roll across the surface.
Less dust, less mites, less dirt and detritus mean less things to cause is difficulties breathing.
#4 Other safety issues
As well as health issues, there are some safety issues with some heating systems that can be a problem, especially in homes with children and vulnerable adults. Clearly, burning yourself is bad for your health and in some cases, the burns can be so severe they can be life-changing.
- Open fires – spitting logs, falling hot coals, white-hot glowing embers, chimney fires, the possibility of people or children fall in or near it all present significant burn hazards.
- Radiators – they can become incredibly hot, especially if you are running your central heating at a high temperature. Schools, colleges, nurseries and specialist care home accommodation usually cover radiators to prevent children and adults from burning themselves on them.
Underfloor heating, however, pose none of these concerns;
- Everything is hidden – there are different types and products of underfloor heating, both of which offer the home a safe and hygienic form of heat. The pipes with hot water circulating in them in a wet underfloor heating system are fitted beneath the floor, as are mats in an electric underfloor heating. No danger of burning feet or any other part of your body.
- Overall heat, not concentrated in one place – there is no one point of risk or hazard because everything is beneath your feet. The system heats the floor evenly, there are no cold spots and no chance of anyone hurting themselves.
Overall, underfloor heating is one of the safest heating systems on the market today but more important, it affords your home a gentler, much more pleasant heat and not one that circulates dust or dust mites.
Underfloor Heating Trade Supplies is a specialist online supplier of everything to do with underfloor heating systems, from specialist tools to complete install-yourself-kits.
