Millions of French homes are now equipped with underfloor heating.
Existing since the end of the 1960s, underfloor heating emits heat by using the surface of the ground to heat the air inside the dwelling.
Perfected over the decades, this system is now acclaimed for its efficiency, performance and the comfort it provides.
To each his own model
There are two main categories of underfloor heating: electric and hydraulic.
The first is made up of a circuit of electrical resistors.
Concretely, it is installed under the floor, criss-crossing the entire room, and must be connected to the electrical network of the house.
Between these heating cables and the floor covering, a layer of insulating plate is also laid.
Hydraulic heating, on the other hand, consists of circulating hot water (at low temperature) through a network of polyethylene tubes.
Placed between the concrete screed and insulating panels, this circuit is connected to a gas, condensing boiler or a heat pump.
Comfort and softness
It is above all the living comfort provided to the occupants that makes the success of this type of heating.
In fact, a lukewarm, soft, constant and homogeneous heat emanates from the floor, generally between 20 and 35°C and with a temperature not exceeding 28°C to the touch, eliminating cold areas and providing a very pleasant sensation throughout. the House.
As a bonus, some heated floors are even reversible and turn into cooling air conditioning for the summer!
Not spoiling anything, note also that the heated floor is totally silent and invisible, freeing up space in the rooms.
It also has the advantage of being able to adapt to all forms of energy, whether gas, electricity, geothermal or solar.
A real investment
The other significant advantage of this type of floor is its heating power.
Indeed, this system makes it possible to heat a large surface at a low temperature (the heating itself never exceeds 40°C), unlike conventional radiators which can reach between 50 and 70°C.
However, this performance leads, in the long term, to energy savings estimated at around 15% compared to traditional heating.
Nevertheless, the cost of the initial investment can be a brake.
Count between 40 and 50 € per m2 for the purchase and installation of an electric heated floor, against 70 to 110 € per m2 for a hydraulic system.
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In addition, maintenance and repair also turn out to be somewhat more difficult.
In the event of a leak or breakdown, it is often necessary to remove part of the coating to access the pipes, which entails some work.
Likewise, it is recommended that you call in a professional heating engineer every 2 to 3 years for a complete cleaning and complete purging.
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Focus: Always more performance
Manufacturers are constantly improving their models, which adapt (under certain conditions) to all types of floor, from tiling to thick flooring, including lino, PVC or even carpet.
So be sure to do your research before buying.
Ideal in new homes, the installation of underfloor heating is sometimes more complex to achieve when it comes to old premises or renovations, due in particular to the thickness of the heated floor, which generates additional expenses. (equipment fixed to the ground to be moved, electrical outlets to be raised, doors to be planed, etc.).
Again, professionals try to offer models that are less and less thick (up to about 6 cm).
Do not hesitate to compare the different offers!
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