Alternative to Under Floor Heating

ThermaSkirt Heating Systems – The Ideal Alternative to Under Floor Heating

Under floor heating (UFH) or radiant floor heating systems are being specified more and more as an alternative to traditional central heating systems using radiators. This is very evident in conservatories using a wet heating system, and in new build areas with hard tiled surfaces.

A heating system using a radiant floor (UFH) is often thought to be more energy efficient than radiators as they run at ‘lower temperatures’. However this is offset by the fact that wet under floor heating systems are very slow to respond and have to operate 24/7 or risk under heating the room in the event of a cold snap.

This lower operating flow temperature is often achieved by mixing the central heating hot water with cold water to achieve a temperature that the floor can withstand – not a very energy efficient room heating system.

Similarly, radiant floors such as under floor heating (UFH) retain their heat energy long after the room has reached the desired temperature, often over heating the room making it uncomfortable – especially at night. Air conditioning or opening the windows is often the only solution, which is obviously a very wasteful use of energy.

Consider the advantages of ThermaSkirt

Simple to fit in existing buildings with minimal disturbance
Rapid response both on & off avoiding over & under heating
Works with any floor construction and finish
Works with conventional boilers and renewables such as heat pumps and solar thermal
Energy efficient – ThermaSkirt has been independently tested by BSRIA
Minimal water content, maximising the performance of renewables
Easy to trouble shoot and adapt to room layout
Suitable for use in RHI projects (radiant heating)
Simple TRV controls as well as manifold and thermostat options

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Modern insulation levels often don’t allow small rooms to cool very quickly, and so a heavyweight floor structure simply continues to heat the space well past the target temperature. This is especially a problem in places like 1st floor bedrooms, care homes and student accommodation, as well as spaces with varying occupancy levels and uses such as classrooms and meeting areas.

ThermaSkirt heating systems are a radiator in the true sense of the word, but cleverly disguised as the skirting board around the room. This creates the same thermal comfort level as under floor heating (UFH), as far as the occupants are concerned, but in a fraction of the time from a cold start.

Similarly, ThermaSkirt turns off very quickly, cooling the room in the event of a sunny spell. This responsiveness ensures the heating system is only on when required and operating at maximum efficiency. The hot water can be supplied by a traditional gas boiler heating system, or more often, by a renewable energy source such as solar panels, ground or air source heat pumps and wood pellet stoves.

ThermaSkirt is often a DIY central heating solution, as being ‘above ground’ there is no more upheaval in fitting ThermaSkirt than there is with a traditional central heating system. The simple installation of a ThermaSkirt heating system enables even older properties undergoing renovation or refurbishment to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

‘LO FLOW 10’ & Other ‘retrofit’ UFH Solutions

There has been a surge in the number of ‘retrofit’ under floor heating solutions launched in recent years, to meet the demand of existing buildings looking to go UFH rather than radiators.

This seems especially attractive to those home-owners that are considering renewable primary heat sources such as air source heat pumps, as the thought of having massively over-sized low temperature radiators is too horrible to bear, and fan assisted radiators that require new electric wiring to them, which would disturb the décor too painful to contemplate.

On the face of it, an under floor heating system with a build-up of only 15 ~20mm seems an ideal solution. In many adverts, the UFH system is shown next to a 5 pence piece to show just how ‘thin’ it is.

But hang on – is the ‘thinness’ the be all and end all when it comes to retrofitting UFH in your home?

At DiscreteHeat, we would never question a clients’ preference to install UFH in a new constructed concrete screed (such as in a kitchen extension for example), especially under tiles which is a very good emitter of radiant heat.

Indeed, our ThermaSkirt heating systems are often supplied as either a back up to UFH where heat losses are too high for under floor heating on its own, or as a complimentary heating solution upstairs – in bedrooms for example.

However, we never flinch from our view that under wood or carpet, the increased insulation and their natural thermal resistance makes UFH in these applications a nonsense.

When it comes to retrofit under floor, we are constantly amazed at the impractical lengths installers will go to, and the enormous disruption and additional costs home owners will absorb to obtain heating under their feet.

Even these ‘lo build up’ UFH systems will require the following in most retrofit installations:

Remove all the furniture and belongings from the room
Lift and remove all the carpets and floor coverings (and throw them away – even carpet never goes back right 2nd time)
Insulate under the floors (in timber suspended floors as drafts draw heat away)
Bash holes through walls to get the feed and return pipes to a central manifold
Have the room(s) out of action for 2~3 days at a time
Require a multi-port manifold to cope with rooms bigger than 10~12m2
Plane down all the doors to accommodate the 15mm uplift in floor height
Probably remove and refit your skirtings to accommodate the new floor height
Have a step between adjacent rooms – even 15mm is noticeable

So What's the Answer?

In a retrofit installation, whether it’s on a conventional boiler or on a renewable energy source such as a heat pump we sincerely believe the ThermaSkirt solution to be the best solution.

Take these 2 examples here. On the left is a carpeted upstairs child’s bedroom, already decorated and looking pristine. On the right is an entrance hallway with lovely lime washed timber floors. In both instances the owners wanted to remove the radiators and fancied UFH. When discovering the cost and disruption of making good afterwards, they thought their hopes of freeing up their walls and creating a more inviting (and safer) space for their family was lost. Until they googled ‘UFH alternative’ and found ThermaSkirt.

In both cases, ThermaSkirt could connect onto the existing radiator pipework meaning minimal disruption and cost. By being an ‘above ground’ solution, there was no need to lift any floor coverings or carpets, nor plane down any doors. By taking care, each system was installed in a day, with no cleaning or redecorating required (except to touch up the dirty patch where the radiator had left its mark).

The Future

They say that history repeats itself (firstly as a tragedy, the second time as a farce according to Karl Marx).

In the 80’s and 90’s similar small bore, 10mm pipes were all the rage in underfloor heating. The concept of small bore pipes for UFH is not new. Admittedly, in the 90’s these were set into the screed, but the principle is the same, in that small areas, typically 10~12m2 were each heated by a small pipe, requiring 2~3 circuits for an typical room.

So what happened?

Well, unfortunately, a small bore pipe with a series or curves is prone to clogging and building up deposits – especially in hard water areas, or where there is a mixed system using radiators which create sludge over time. It’s one of the reasons that ‘microbore’ copper tube (remember that?) is no longer available for central heating systems.

Admittedly, if you kept the system regularly flushed, used an appropriate inhibitor and changed it regularly, and didn’t have steel radiators on the system, you would probably not have a problem. But if you did... At DiscreteHeat, we have spent a lot of time replacing those small 10mm bore systems from the 80’s and 90’s that have failed.

So, to sum up, ThermaSkirt will:

Connect onto your existing radiator system without significant disruption
No need to plane down your doors or have steps between rooms (even 15mm makes a difference)
No need to disturb your floor coverings
Bash holes through walls to get the feed and return pipes to a central manifold
No limit to the type or specification of new floor covering; any carpet, timber, tile or laminate is OK with ThermaSkirt
No concerns about heat losses into floor voids
Quick, rapid response times whatever floor construction you chose
Is simple & straightforward to amend, move (or repair, heaven forbid)
Provides you with new, freshly painted skirting boards for ‘free’!

Adam Gandy, Founder Smart Build Ltd

" ThermaSkirt is an excellent product. We used it on a barn conversion in preference to UFH. Looks great, works well and far cheaper to install!” "

Tina & Gareth

"Everyone that's seen the place is blown away with your product. We're loving that we can place our furniture anywhere in the rooms now and don't have bulky radiators sticking out everywhere."

Suzanne

"I had Thermaskirt installed by Discrete Heat in my small cottage more than 9 years ago and have been very satisfied with the system and it's performance."

Christine Bentley

"Thermaskirt is better and cheaper to install than underfloor heating it is more convenient than radiators. I work in construction and I am always telling others about thermaskirt heating."

Keith Ward

"The Thermaskirt system has more than met our expectations saving space and looking great."

Kay Harley

"I want to say a huge thank you and pass on some praise for your employees and the way they have sold, designed and delivered my project."

Mick Eley

"Every step of the way from the design phase, then delivery through to the after sales and technical support we have been so impressed with DiscreteHeat and would recommend ThermaSkirt to everybody."

Alan Littlehales

"It works superbly, looks fantastic, heats the room brilliantly with no cold spots, and is cheap to run, ThermaSkirt is win win win! "

Mr. Weissman

"ThermaSkirt installed quickly and looks great; we have much more useable space in the room now that we have removed the radiators and their covers."

Ian Johnson

"It's important to us to convey our appreciation to you all for your professionalism, the very high standard of your customer after care, and of course, the quality of your product, which is excellent."

Kevin

"it was a really customer friendly company to deal with which is a rare and pleasant experience these days. I would have no hesitation recommending you to anybody."

Mark & Liz

"We just wanted to say a huge, huge thank you to you Lisa & Carl and everyone at Discrete Heat for all of your help and hard work with our new ThermaSkirt Heating System."

Barry C Brown

"I self-fitted Thermaskirt to my flat about six or so years ago, and it's been brilliant! It's the only heating I have ever needed and I've told countless people about it"

Mr & Mrs Carter

"I found it easy to install with the clear instructions. We have been really pleased with how neat it looks and it has certainly provided enough warmth even for an open plan dining room/sunroom. "

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Alternative to Under Floor Heating

ThermaSkirt Heating Systems – The Ideal Alternative to Under Floor Heating

Consider the advantages of ThermaSkirt

Simple to fit in existing buildings with minimal disturbance

Rapid response both on & off avoiding over & under heating

Works with any floor construction and finish

Works with conventional boilers and renewables such as heat pumps and solar thermal

Energy efficient – ThermaSkirt has been independently tested by BSRIA

Minimal water content, maximising the performance of renewables

Easy to trouble shoot and adapt to room layout

Suitable for use in RHI projects (radiant heating)

Simple TRV controls as well as manifold and thermostat options

‘LO FLOW 10’ & Other ‘retrofit’ UFH Solutions

But hang on – is the ‘thinness’ the be all and end all when it comes to retrofitting UFH in your home?

Remove all the furniture and belongings from the room

Lift and remove all the carpets and floor coverings (and throw them away – even carpet never goes back right 2nd time)

Insulate under the floors (in timber suspended floors as drafts draw heat away)

Bash holes through walls to get the feed and return pipes to a central manifold

Have the room(s) out of action for 2~3 days at a time

Require a multi-port manifold to cope with rooms bigger than 10~12m2

Plane down all the doors to accommodate the 15mm uplift in floor height

Probably remove and refit your skirtings to accommodate the new floor height

Have a step between adjacent rooms – even 15mm is noticeable