Ogrzewanie podłogowe i grzejnikowe w jednym domu

Underfloor and radiator heating in one house

21/06/24

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Can underfloor and radiator heating work together?

At the stage of building a house, many people have dilemmas about the choice of heating method. However, it turns out that it is not always necessary to decide on only one. Underfloor and radiator heating in the same building is possible, and in some cases even advisable. Learn more about the cooperation of these two systems.

Underfloor heating and radiator heating – differences

The differences between traditional radiators and underfloor heating are not just about aesthetics and space utilization. The method of heating the house also affects the thermal comfort of the residents or the amount of bills. Underfloor heating is classified as a low-temperature solution. It gives off heat on the principle of radiation, so it is efficient and does not cause dust to rise. It provides optimal temperature distribution, heating from below. It is also up to about 30% more economical than radiators, as it has a higher heating efficiency.

Instead, radiators are simpler to install. Also, in case of failure, it is definitely easier to verify their operation and make repairs. They are classified as high-temperature solutions. They heat up quickly and cool down quickly, and allow you to control the temperature more dynamically due to the ability to cool down or heat up rooms to the desired temperature more quickly.

Where will underfloor heating work, and where will radiators?

If you want to reduce heating costs while increasing comfort, underfloor will usually be a better choice. In addition, it provides more freedom in interior design. However, this does not mean that it will work in every room and in all circumstances. Where a large part of the room is occupied by furniture or there is a risk of high heat loss (for example, through large glazing), underfloor heating may not necessarily work. Sometimes you just need to bet on easy, inexpensive installation.

Radiators are great for all places where the temperature needs to be quickly adjusted to current needs. You can combine them with a smart controller and program individual cycles of operation depending on the day of the week or time. This type of heating is also better suited for interiors with insulating floor finishes – for example, wood parquet or warm, fluffy carpet. Sometimes it is also not possible to install an underfloor because of excessive load on the attic ceiling.

Therefore, underfloor and radiator heating are quite often combined. Sometimes underfloor is installed on the first floor, and radiators on the first floor. It is also possible to combine two forms of heating in one room. This is quite popular especially in the bathroom. Then the underfloor heating provides comfort to the feet, and the radiator ladder helps to dry towels and eliminate the problem of excessive moisture in the room.

Underfloor and radiator heating – different ways of combination

The combination of underfloor and radiator heating requires a temperature regulation and control system. This is because it should be remembered that these are solutions that require the supply of water at different temperatures. It is necessary to heat the water to the temperature required by radiators, and then cool it to a temperature suitable for underfloor heating.

If underfloor heating is installed in only a few rooms, an RTL return temperature limiter should be installed. If, on the other hand, the two systems are used comparably, it may be more advantageous to use two separate circuits (high-temperature and low-temperature). On the other hand, if the radiators are only a supplement to the underfloor, the entire heating can operate in low-temperature mode.

Advanced controllers and regulators, which you will find in the offer of ENGO Controls, will help to achieve maximum efficiency of heating, regardless of the type. They will also provide maximum comfort for users, allowing precise, automatic control of the temperature in each room.