There are some interesting things that are unique to New Zealand – the Pohutukawa tree, the haka, pineapple lumps, our fascination with jumping off bridges secured only by cord tied around our ankles. But one thing identifies us as Kiwis from an early age – our habit of kicking off our shoes and going barefoot whenever and wherever possible. So, we know how luxurious it is to walk into a room with underfloor heating. Someone described it to us as “a nice warm little hug for my feet when I’m getting ready or making my morning coffee”. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. But all too often people think heated flooring is expensive or extravagant and don’t consider it as an option when they’re building or renovating. At Regency Plumbing, we encourage customers to consider it when looking at ways to heat a house in Auckland. What exactly is underfloor heating? There are two main types of underfloor heating, and they both work by generating heat (by either water or electricity) through a system that lies beneath the flooring to distribute heat to the room. The emphasis here is on the use of underfloor heating to heat a room, not just the floor. It’s not just a treat for your feet – it’s actually an efficient way to heat a room from the bottom up. The added benefit is that as you walk on it or sit with your feet resting on a heated floor, you instantly start to warm up and stay warm. (If you’ve ever been in a snowy climate, you know that your body never fully heats up until your feet warm up.) “Wet” or hot water based underfloor heating The technical name for this system is a hydronic radiant floor heating system. Simply put, this type of underfloor heating involves a warm supply of water heated by a gas boiler or heat pump which is then circulated by a small pump through plastic pipes installed within the concrete slab. The pipes, embedded in the floor, carry heated water that conducts warmth to the surface of the floor where it then pushes heat energy to the room above. It is a brilliant system which gives even heat across the entire house. The wider an area where it’s used, the wider the area heated (unlike space heaters or oil column heaters that will generally only heat a space area around the heater itself). “Dry” or electric underfloor heating Using electricity, wires or heating cables installed beneath the flooring heat up, warming the floor and the room. This method of floor heating, while cheaper to install, can be considerably more expensive to run as it uses electricity rather than the option of using gas to heat the water in a wet or pipe system. Regency Plumbing are qualified experts in installing water based underfloor heating, and provide this information on electric systems as a point of reference and comparison. With our experience in Auckland home renovations over the past 20 years, we’ve seen enough flooring and heating projects to be able to give you great advice in this area. Is underfloor heating for existing homes or only for new builds? The amount of work involved in retro fitting underfloor heating into an existing house depends on the existing flooring, but it is possible. We’ll get builders involved who will remove the existing flooring and together we’ll put down new surface layers and the pipes before your new flooring surface is installed. If you’re taking on other building works or renovations, it’s definitely worth looking into underfloor heating. If you’re building a new home with a concrete slab, underfloor heating is the way to go. It is important to plan for it ahead of time, though, as it’s fitted into the slab early on. And yes, underflooring heating definitely can be used if you have timber flooring. In fact, timber safely conducts and holds the heat produced, and radiates the warmth into the room. It has both an aesthetic and practical effect. Can underfloor heating be used in any room? If you are building a new home, we highly recommend installing underfloor heating in every room. In many cases it can be more cost-effective than having multiple heating systems throughout the house. It creates a gentle and even distribution of heat throughout your home, and can be moderated by the use of temperature controls, and zone timers, allowing you to set different rooms to turn on at different times. If you need advice about underfloor heating, we’d be delighted to help you. One thing for sure is you will never be disappointed with underfloor heating.
Jul
Underfloor heating has always been considered the more luxurious form of heating, only because the upfront cost of installation is a lot higher than other systems used to heat your home. It means hard floor surfaces are warm to the touch and the system is completely silent, there is no warm air being blown around your home. The system does not take up any wall space and is completely hidden from view. Underfloor systems can run at much lower temperatures than radiator systems, which increases the efficiency of the boilers and heat pumps used to supply the heat. What is underfloor heating? Underfloor heating is a hydronic heating system that uses a gas boiler or hot water heat pump to produce a supply of warm water. The warm water is circulated through your home via plastic pipes installed within the concrete slab. The pipes within the slab conduct warmth to the surface, which pushes the heat energy to the room above. This system gives even heat to your entire home and is completely safe around children. Installation options An underfloor central heating system is very difficult to retrofit to an existing home as the hot water pipes are embedded within the concrete slab. However, these systems are suited to new build homes. It is very important to plan the underfloor heating well in advance as it is fitted in the slab very early on. Underfloor options There are a few different options when it comes to underfloor heating. The different manufacturers use slightly different technology to achieve the central heating of you home. In-slab This is the most common warm water underfloor heating system in New Zealand. This is mainly because it is the most cost effective to install in a standard home with a concrete floor slab, but it will require special considerations from the architect and builder. A typical Kiwi Inslab system will provide heating to the designated rooms in eight hours and is generally left on low continuously. European screed underfloor heating This is usually around 50mm thick and has reduced thermal mass when compared to in-slab. This is completely insulated from the rest of the building and outside, which means lower heat losses, higher efficiency and faster response to controls. Multitubo micro-screed This is a much thinner system using smaller pipes laid into a special moulded floor plate. A screed is spread over the pipes, with the flooring laid over the top. Due to its low weight and height, this method is more suitable for installing over existing timber floors as well as concrete floors. Metal plate timber floor system Alloy plates to spread heat are laid under floor boards or timber panel floors. The pipes are clipped into the plates which conduct the heat away from the pipes. This can be used to retrofit an existing home if the existing floor is strong enough and the raised floor level is acceptable. Installation costs Installation costs may be less than you expect. This will also vary depending on the type of underfloor heating you’ve picked for your home. Some options cost a lot more than other to install, but may have lower running costs in the long run. It is important to consider the space that needs to be heated, not the floor size of your home. Most people would not insulate their garage. A house smaller than 100sqm would see a higher installation cost per square metre; while a home bigger than 250sqm would have lower installation costs. The type fuel source you use may also impact the installation costs and should be factored in when making your decision. Running costs Running costs can vary depending on the source of heat: Natural gas has an estimated monthly running cost of $285 per month LPG has an estimated running cost of $575 per month Diesel has an estimated running cots of $410 per month Firewood has an estimated running cost of $250 per month Air to water heat pump has an estimated running cost of $285 per month Things to consider before installing Underfloor Heating The location of your home may determine which system you use and how much heating is required. Houses in colder parts of New Zealand require more heating. Natural gas is not available in the South Island. The energy source available to you will impact installation and running costs. While there are many different fuel source available to provide the heat, they all have different running costs, some cheaper than others. In most cases, investing in an efficient system will save you money on running costs in the long run. Installing a cheaper system may save on installation costs, but you may end up spending more on running costs in the long run. The way your home has been designed also impacts you household heating requirements. The heat loss of a home in any given location is affected by insulation, amount of glazing, size of windows, lack of curtains, height of ceiling and the complexity of the build. Your lifestyle will also have an impact on how much you spend on heating your home. The amount of energy used for heating is highly dependent on temperature preference and operating hours. You can also install a split system, where you have a mix of underfloor heating and radiators. It’s very important to make a decision and involve your heating specialists early on in your build. The underfloor heating will be some the first things done during the build and need to be right from the start. Contact us today for a consultation about your options for underfloor heating and installation costs.
Jan
After a number of calls from Villa owners asking why everyone is moving to radiators again I thought maybe I should attempt to answer the question for the benefit of all Villa and Bungalow owners. Radiators in Villas The majority of Villas and Bungalows are found in the older more established parts of Auckland, many close to 100 years old and more. I just bought one in Mt Eden last month and it is apparently built between 1920 and 1929. Old houses, often drafty, generally built the wrong way around for sun, high ceilings, everything you do not want, if what you want is a warm home. Have you ever been in a warm Villa, possibly not. There are a few and in most cases they have radiators for heating, or a duct ed warm air system, and most heated by gas. You will know some have fires, open fires, and multiple fires, but even they are pretty hopeless when it comes to heating, more just for ambiance and cooking toast. Modern Radiators and Why they suit Villas You will also notice all these old houses are on piles, up off the ground, no concrete floors. This makes fitting a new radiator heating system great. You can fit radiators in the rooms you wish, drop connections under house, loop a circuit of flow and return pipes around back to a gas boiler, connect up the gas and a thermostat, and bobs your uncle, you’ll never be cold again in your chilly old Villa. It is probably a bit harder and more time consuming to fit than the paragraph above, but none the less, easily completed in a few days, not super costly, and adds luxury to your home. This will not replace the spark and crackle of a fire, but it will safely and effectively heat your home. Radiators are Safe The fantastic thing about radiators is they are a safe form of heating. No one will get burnt, the house wont catch on fire, no naked flames. Yes there is still a heating component to the system with gas and energy, but much safer than a fire. Heating with Radiators – Radiant Heat Radiators are simply amazing in respect to how they heat the room. There is nothing worse than standing in front of a little heater from the super store, or a heat pump, that blows on you, making you feel warm, and the moment you walk out of the heat you freeze again. Install a radiator and you will have a warm room, even temperature through out. No hot air blowing, then cold 2 meters away. Even controlled heat. It makes total sense that the growing trend is for radiators again. Think of the Radiators at School Radiators were what we grew up with. Think back to the frosty mornings at school. What did you do, go and sit on the radiator. Of course hottest by the radiator, but even the whole class room was toasty warm. There is always new stuff coming out. But really, some times you just cant beat a good old heating system that works. Of course technology has advanced, the actually heating part of the system, or the gas boiler unit, has advanced, the systems are much more efficient than days gone by, but fundamentally, its just a modern version of what you had at school. Join the growing trend. Get radiators fitted in your home today. I’ll be Fitting Radiators in my Villa When I renovate the little Villa I just bought in Mt Eden I will be adding radiators without a doubt. It is a cold little place, right by mountain, sun is limited, drafty, has insulation, but still will be freezing, the tenant told me. But guaranteed… add a radiator or two, fit a gas boiler up to it, and she’ll be the warmest house in the street – more than likely. Join me and many others… Never be cold again. Get radiators installed in your place now. You will not be disappointed. CLICK HERE For great deals on radiators – or to find out more…. Or if you want to speak to one of the heating technicians just call 0800 PLUMBER | 0800 758 623
Feb
Are you tired of being cold and want to find out more about underfloor heating? UNDERFLOOR HEATING Is underfloor heating expensive? Is underfloor heating economical to run? There are many different underfloor heating systems… which is best for me? We will try and help you with a few questions on underfloor heating in this blog. WHAT IS UNDERFLOOR HEATING? These systems are hydronic radiant floor heating systems. They use a gas boiler or heat pump to produce a warm supply of water. This is then circulated via a small pump through plastic pipes installed within the concrete slab. The pipe in the floor carries heated water that conducts warmth to the surface of the floor where it then pushes heat energy to the room above. It is a very clever system which gives you even heat/warmth across the entire house. This has got to be one of the ultimate luxuries for your new home. ARE THESE SYSTEMS EXPENSIVE? It all depends on how you see it. Everyone forms their own opinion of what value for money is. Most people have different priorities in life. Everyone makes their own choice as to what they will spend their money on, whether or not, investing in underfloor heating systems is important to them. When you consider the complexity, the amount of work in setting up underfloor heating, the cost is well and truly justified. But, yes for most the cost / investment upfront is significant. After you experience the long term benefit of underfloor heating, your first warm winter. The bitter pill you had to swallow (the cost) doesn’t seem much more than a panadol tablet. The kiwi way has always been to just pull on another jumper or jersey. These days, people are starting to expect more. Heating for the home is a key part of the design. Even down to the basic insulation, every home must have it. At some point no doubt, every home will have to have a heating system. New Zealand gets cold. The environment we live in is often damp, especially in winter. For a dryer, healthy, warm home of luxury, look into underfloor heating systems. The long term benefits of underfloor heating, for your health and the homes health will be significant. So is underfloor heating expensive, yes, but it all depends on what is a priority for you. Some people will buy a car knowing they will lose $20,000 the moment they drive out of the dealership. You could spend $20,000 on an underfloor heating system and it will go up in value with the home. So it is an investment for sure, and well worth considering. THE COST OF UNDERFLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS Why does the cost vary so much? This is an interesting question. Can I quickly say, the difference is justified. The installers are not all scammers. There are 2 real considerations in my view. Maybe 3, but we’ll start with 2. What energy source do you have available. What underfloor heating systems are going to be available to you. Sometimes you will have to run with a gas boiler. Or sometimes you will have to run with a heat pump. Possibly you may be able to use diesel, or waste oil. There are many options. Obviously if you are on a small section in the city though, you are not going to want a big diesel tank. Or if you don’t have access to natural gas, you could use LPG, however most systems are not as cost efficient on LPG. So maybe not always a good choice. Some areas may not allow certain energy sources. So number one, what system you can have will have a large bearing on cost, as every system is very different in upfront cost. The more you pay up front, the cheaper it will be to run long term. Not 100% accurate, but as a rule, spend more money up front for an efficient system, and you can run is efficiently for ever. Buy the cheapest possible system you can get up front, and you will pay for it as you go. Even worse, if you are on LPG bottles you are really aware of the cost as you have to keep replacing them. The cost does not change, but as the bottle truck turns up every week, you are very aware of gas consumption and the cost. Based on my experience now, I feel LPG for heating is the last resort. It works fine, but customers are left really aware of the cost and inconvenience to run. TIP – You may not be getting ripped off. You may not need to go and get a 5th quote after-all. just to find it is different again. What you may need to do is ask more questions. Understand why the underfloor heating systems vary so much in price. Then be sure to understand the long term running cost differences. They are extreme differences that you need to be aware of before finalizing your decision. Sometimes a split system can be ideal. WHAT IS A SPLIT SYSTEM? When I refer to a split system, I refer to a system with say a mix of underfloor heating and radiators. Having a mix can be very effective, and also economical to run. Getting good advice from a reputable installer like Regency Plumbing right at the beginning, is a good idea. You may just find the perfect solution for your new home is not as costly as you first thought. Also you may find you can get a system that saves you money long term in operating costs. Radiators are also now very sleek, stylish, and well worth considering – to find out more [CLICK HERE] I hope you have found this blog useful, helpful, and interesting. If you need any more help, information, or a quote, we would be more than happy to help you. For underfloor heating systems, Regency Plumbing have an expert design and installation team. CALL […]
