Have you heard the phrase, cheap is often expensive?
Underfloor heating represents one of the most efficient and economical heating methods for residential and business premises. However, like any technology, underfloor heating is not free of potential pitfalls that a professional can fall into when trying to "close the deal" with their client. In this article, we'll look at affordable underfloor heating and the pitfalls it may be hiding.
Definition of Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is a heating system that is installed under the floor (tile, wood, laminate, etc.) and works by transferring heat from the specially constructed pipe to the surfaces. Economical underfloor heating is a system that offers efficient heating with low operating and maintenance costs.
Economy and credibility: The two key words in underfloor heating
It is particularly important to mention that the most important factor for a floor heating system to be considered economical and reliable is not only its price but also the quality of its materials, combined with the technology of its construction.
The HAKA GERODUR underfloor heating is superior to similar ones because it is the only one that has a pipe that says Made In Germany[KA1] on it. It is manufactured entirely in the HAKA GERODUR factory in Germany, is certified and offers a 10-year warranty with compensation.
Advantages of Quality Underfloor Heating
In your market research you will see a lot of information that will look very attractive and will certainly convince you. But what is important to remember is that a quality underfloor heating solution that is value for money, such as the HAKA GERODUR system, gives you the following advantages:
Efficiency: Thanks to Alphatech's 40 years of experience in underfloor heating systems, the heat in the final installation will be evenly distributed throughout the room, creating a comfortable climate without cold spots.
Energy saving: You should remember that the more meters of pipe in a room give us the best possible heat distribution. So underfloor heating works at the lowest possible temperatures, reducing energy consumption and heating costs, while it can also be combined with other systems such as heat pumps or geothermal to give you even greater energy savings.
Maintenance: Any underfloor heating system, i.e. the pipe, if the initial installation is done correctly, does not require any maintenance. What needs maintenance are peripheral elements of the system that are not under the floor. This means that little maintenance is required compared to other heating sources, saving time and money.
Aesthetics: The absence of visible pipes and heating systems such as radiators in the available space makes underfloor heating aesthetically attractive.
Traps of "economic" Underfloor Heating
Despite its advantages, underfloor heating has some pitfalls. Some of these include:
Installation and Design: Incorrect installation or poor design can lead to loss of efficiency and increased maintenance and operating costs. This means additional loss to you in time and money.
Technical characteristics: Many times you may receive an underfloor offer which at a quick glance may have similar technical characteristics to the HAKA THERM system.
Two of the first things to look at are the distance between the pipes when laying them as well as the total pipe measures. One of the main features of the HAKA THERM Plus and HAKA THERM Black system is the reduced distance between pipes and the calculation of pipe lay-up for the best possible heat distribution. This results in lower energy consumption compared to a system that has a larger distance between the pipe layer.
Also important is the quality of the node plate in underfloor heating! HAKA THERM Plus and HAKA THERM Black systems have EPS plates with very high mechanical strength (150-200kPa) making them the most suitable for underfloor heating layer
Finally, the perimeter tape and expansion joint (where required) should be of high quality! HAKA THERM systems use perimeter tape with special wall adhesive and 0.8cm thickness/15cm height, while the EPS joint has dimensions 180cm (Length) X 12cm (Height) X 1.5cm (Thickness)!
Maintenance requirements: Although maintenance is usually minimal, repairing systems due to lack of proper initial design-installation can require specialized technical knowledge and cost.
Alphatech is always by its partners' side, providing them with know-how and the appropriate technical training, so that they can cope with anything new and be able to deal with any problem in the installation or maintenance of HAKA THERM systems.
Economical underfloor heating is an excellent choice for cost-effective space heating with aesthetic value. However, proper installation, proper design and regular maintenance are critical to the long-term performance and economical operation of the system.
Surely what a professional who wants to give a correct result should do is to study the technical characteristics of each offer, to compare the pros and cons of each offer so as to give his client the best possible result by choosing a value for money solution.
