I'm about to start a renovation of a flat I bought a couple of months ago. It currently has electric heating (no gas connection). I'm looking at changing this to an underfloor electric heating system. This should be more efficient as it will distribute the heat across the room and is far tidier which is the main reason for the change. I'm aware there are building regulation compliance requirements for part L with regards to U-values. Does anyone know about the procedure to achieve the compliance?
Underfloor Heating
- Thread starter delta0
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What type of floor do you have.
Building Regs L1B: Conservation of fuel and power (Existing dwellings), a u value of 0.22, example Warmup tilebacker board has U Values (W/m K): 6mm-4.50, 10mm-2.70, 20mm-1.35, & can reduce running costs by as much as 50%.
You could use a 10mm warmup insulation board, a type of waterproof tilebacker board, available in various thicknesses from 6mm upwards, this would prevent you from loosing & wasting your heat in the existing floor.
Other brands of insulation board ProWarm, Varme, there are others.
Then lay your heating mat on to this, then your finish, screed, or tile adhesive & tiles.
One thing test the mat for electrical continuity with a meter before, during & after laying it, as it's easy to damage it, & it no fun correcting a fault after laying a flooring.
Ended up ripping up & replacing a large living room floor due to owner walking on matting with heels.
http://www.warmup.co.uk/uk/matting-installation-video.phtml
Building Regs L1B: Conservation of fuel and power (Existing dwellings), a u value of 0.22, example Warmup tilebacker board has U Values (W/m K): 6mm-4.50, 10mm-2.70, 20mm-1.35, & can reduce running costs by as much as 50%.
You could use a 10mm warmup insulation board, a type of waterproof tilebacker board, available in various thicknesses from 6mm upwards, this would prevent you from loosing & wasting your heat in the existing floor.
Other brands of insulation board ProWarm, Varme, there are others.
Then lay your heating mat on to this, then your finish, screed, or tile adhesive & tiles.
One thing test the mat for electrical continuity with a meter before, during & after laying it, as it's easy to damage it, & it no fun correcting a fault after laying a flooring.
Ended up ripping up & replacing a large living room floor due to owner walking on matting with heels.
http://www.warmup.co.uk/uk/matting-installation-video.phtml
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It is laminate at the moment. When I rip that up I expect it is concrete.
Thanks for the tips about testing the mat. I will definitely do that. I assume when it has been laid and is covered it will be a lot less vulnerable?
Do you know anything about the buildings regs? Do I need to apply for permission? Do I need to have an assessment done and certain thickness of insulation?
Thanks for the tips about testing the mat. I will definitely do that. I assume when it has been laid and is covered it will be a lot less vulnerable?
Do you know anything about the buildings regs? Do I need to apply for permission? Do I need to have an assessment done and certain thickness of insulation?
A lot less vulnerable, ROFL, I knew someone who had underfloor heating laid, then wifey had something fitted, chippy drilled the floor, killed the underfloor heating.
What are exactly intending to do with this place, just underfloor heating, or major work.
A lot less vulnerable, ROFL, I knew someone who had underfloor heating laid, then wifey had something fitted, chippy drilled the floor, killed the underfloor heating.
What are exactly intending to do with this place, just underfloor heating, or major work.
New kitchen, a few changes to the bathroom and new carpet. The radiators are very dated and so I'm looking at putting underfloor heating in. I much prefer that. Won't be drilling holes but don't want a chair leg to damage it.
No need to notify anyone for replacing a kitchen & bathroom, but underfloor heating must be protected with a 30ma RCD, & other electrics comply with Part P building regs, most electricans can self certificate this this work.
You can get a foil heating mat, like Rayoflex, which can be laid direct under certain type of carpet, risk of damage though & wooden floors, there are other types of under carpet heating matting, or a matting laid under tiles.
There use to be insulated boards available with the element built in, things are changing too fast for this oldie to keep up with.
You can get a foil heating mat, like Rayoflex, which can be laid direct under certain type of carpet, risk of damage though & wooden floors, there are other types of under carpet heating matting, or a matting laid under tiles.
There use to be insulated boards available with the element built in, things are changing too fast for this oldie to keep up with.
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Thanks. I will do that. I was looking at the foil type of underfloor heating. I had a quick look earlier and saw this http://www.underfloorheatingworld.co.uk/under-carpet-heating-kits/1/
Plus a layer of insulation and a colour touch screen thermostat.
Plus a layer of insulation and a colour touch screen thermostat.
I have done a bit more research on this. I think I need roughly 70mm floor insulation to comply with the regs. That will mean a lot of changes to skirting boards and doors. Need to think about this more before I commit.
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Why do you want to comply with building regs?
Hardly any homes are compliant.
Hardly any homes are compliant.
Totally unnecessary & impractical to comply, as Macca said why?
Without major work it's just not worth the expense & hassle, if it was was a new build, then you could source materials to give you best u valves, etc, but for a renovation you have to be sensible, make compromises in certain areas.
Soldato
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I've breifly looked into this, as I want to buy and renovate my own and too would like underfloor heating.
Depending on the floor type you can get some systems that run between the joists, so my breif research leads me to beleive.
Depending on the floor type you can get some systems that run between the joists, so my breif research leads me to beleive.
you're making alterations to an existing heated space, you're not making the situation worse in terms of insulation so there is no need to upgrade / comply with regulations. If you can improve it then building control will be more than happy with that!
This is good news. 
I will see how much insulation I can squeeze in with minimal alteration to the doors. I will probably have to run the insulation through the entire flat or subtly drop taper it down in the hallway.
I will see how much insulation I can squeeze in with minimal alteration to the doors. I will probably have to run the insulation through the entire flat or subtly drop taper it down in the hallway.
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Be mindful of what you put over it, timber is rarely good with underfloor heating. You need a finish with a decent thermal mass to hold the heat and radiate it through the course of the day, timber will act as an insulator. Also carpet tog value should be considered for the same reason.
Waxman ceramics do a / used to do a lower heat underfloor electric system which looked good in the CPD they gave us.
Waxman ceramics do a / used to do a lower heat underfloor electric system which looked good in the CPD they gave us.
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Will do. Thanks for that info. Extremely useful.
I'm looking at aerogel blanket as an insulator below the mat. I have experience of aerogel through work and the blanket form seems to be used now for underfloor insulation.
I'm looking at aerogel blanket as an insulator below the mat. I have experience of aerogel through work and the blanket form seems to be used now for underfloor insulation.
Read a piece in one of my trade mags last year about aerogel insulation sheet & it's uses including underfloor heating.
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