underfloor heating. Wet or dry system? Which better? Pros and cons?

Question

I am a plumbing ingenue - could be taken advantage of by dodgy plumbers. They are selling me underfloor heating for my new flat- and are going on about Wet and Dry systems . Any plumbers or heating engineers out there who know the difference and what the pros and cons are ?

Answer 1

A wet system would be pipes run in the flooring hooked to a boiler. This ia a good option if you have already have a boiler system with enough capacity for the extra load or are going to upgrade the boiler. Boiler systems are good because you have so many options for heating devices that use the heat source. If properly engineered, wtaer coils can also be used on fan coil units for use with air conditioning equipment in the summer.

A dry system would be electric elements run in the flooring and is a good option fo a boilerless system or if your boiler is already at capacity. The install for this would be comparable to the water tubing but has the limitations of adding electric load to your service.

You will probably be equally satisfied with either type. If I had a boiler, I'd choose the wet for the operating cost.

As Bob mentioned, a humidifier is a great way to increase temperature comfort. In the winter, air tends to be dry, a humidifier makes the air better for the respiratory system and improves heating efficiency by holding heat longer. You can set your thermostat a few degrees cooler and feel the same level of warmth.

Answer 2

Underfloor Heating Pros And Cons

Answer 3

Underfloor heating using hot water from a boiler works very well provided it is correctly controlled. Bear in mind that your floor slab will act as a giant storage heater which will take a while to heat up and a while to cool down. That is your wet system.

I guess what they mean by a dry system is either electric coils in the floor or a ducted warm air system. The electric system again is good if it is controlled right, and again there is the thermal lag of the floor slab. Think about the comparative cost of the fuels - electricity in the UK is more than twice the price of gas or oil.

I am a great advocate of ducted air, having worked for Lennox Industries for many years. You cannot beat a well-designed correctly installed perimeter warm air system which will give you first-class heating, ventilation and, if you need it, air conditioning. Lennox make a condensing gas-fired furnace which has got to be one of the most economical systems there is to operate.

Good luck - hope it works out well for you.

Answer 4

Hi >
I am not a plumber, more of a power engineer, but certainaly having lived with "dry" underfloor heating, well it works if you do not mind a dry windpipe in in the morning, or worse, so :
Use it by all means, with a humidifier plugged in, or even a bowl of water & a desk fan or two. It works.
Otherwise, go for the more pricy "wet" version.
Depends on how long that you plan to stay in the place.
All the best with it all.
Bob.

Answer 5

some floor heating structures pass warm water through tubes working under the floor floor. the nice and comfortable water is regulated via valves and heated via a furnace of a few style. The dry warmth device is likewise properly-known from time to time as a radiant heating device. those structures warmth components (cord) placed under the floor floor that radiate the warmth into the room. Radiant heating has been used for some years. interior the previous, many residences had those components embedded interior the plaster in ceilings.

Answer 6

Dry plumbing. Thats a new field of work for me. Need more information, seems too late to consider if your home is already finished with its construction. A 'flat' means an apartment? So does it stay behind if you move?