Want to know how to install underfloor heating with combi boiler systems? Underfloor heating is one of the most efficient and effective ways to heat your home. It provides a comfortable ambient temperature that takes advantage of heat’s tendency to rise. It also removes cold spots and makes effective use of your available space.
It’s often believed that underfloor heating isn’t suitable for some boiler types. In reality, underfloor heating can be used with a variety of boiler options, often with some slight adjustments.
Can you have underfloor heating with a combi boiler?
If you currently have a combi boiler in your home you can still have underfloor heating installed. It can either be used to power your underfloor heating, or it can be used alongside a standalone underfloor heating system that heats your home independently of the existing boiler.
This is because there are two types of underfloor heating: wet and dry. Dry underfloor heating uses a series of electrical cables or heating mats beneath the floor. These are placed on top of an insulated surface in order to trap the maximum amount of heat. This heat then travels upwards and minimises heat loss. This type of underfloor heating runs entirely independently of your boiler. If you have a combi boiler installed, and opt for dry underfloor heating, your combi boiler will still heat up your water as before.
Wet underfloor heating effectively acts in the same way as a radiator. A wet underfloor heating system pushes hot water through a network of pipes that are laid in the floor. These pipes are of a particular flexible type to reduce the risk of leaks occurring. This can be connected to a combi boiler with the one proviso that your boiler is powerful enough to provide effective heating of the water in the system.
How to install underfloor heating with Combi Boiler
If you have a combi boiler in your home you can still have underfloor heating installed. If the underfloor heating is going to run off the same boiler as the heating, then a two-port valve will need to be installed. This controls the flow of water in the central heating system, making the heating process more streamlined and efficient. The valve allows the systems to each run separately. If a two-port valve isn’t installed your boiler may attempt to run the underfloor heating and the radiators at the same time. This can cause it to overheat and go into fault mode.
Any functional boiler can usually be used to heat underfloor heating, but some modifications may be required. Adjustments may need to be made to ensure that the boiler distributes the heated water as required.
Boiler installation and heating advice
If you’re interested in finding out more about underfloor heating, then Bumblebee Heating and Plumbing can help. We provide a full boiler installation service and are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Contact us today to find out more.
