If you have come this far, it is because you are thinking of changing or installing new heating at home. Undoubtedly, one of the best options is to have a radiant floor, either electric or water. Both options provide you with a high level of comfort and a reduced energy cost compared to other conventional heating systems. That is why the difficult thing is to opt for one or the other. Let’s see its pros and cons.
underfloor heating by water
The main advantage of this type of heating is its high energy efficiency. This translates into savings on the gas bill well above what other heating systems offer, including electric underfloor heating. Added to this is its ability to work at low temperatures, which translates into greater comfort inside the home. If we have a good installation of underfloor heating by water, which includes a heat pump, we can achieve energy savings of about 35% compared to other types of heating. Therefore, even assuming a very high initial investment, in the long term it will be worth it.
Therefore, the negative point that we see in this type of heating is its high installation cost and the type of material needed to install it. A special cement and pavement is necessary to install the piping circuit. In addition, we have to make sure that natural gas reaches our home. However, if you want to go one step further, you could also incorporate an aerothermal system to heat the water. This technology uses electricity to generate heat, but it is more efficient than natural gas. If you combine aerothermal energy with solar panels and batteries, you will save a lot of money on the electricity bill when heating the house.
electric underfloor heating
The first thing we have to highlight is its ease of installation. Unlike what happens with underfloor heating by water, this only requires the installation of a cable circuit or heating mesh that will be placed on an insulating sheet. A few simple steps that do not require much time and that represent a cheaper investment. This system does not require a boiler and works at low temperatures. Therefore, it provides a high level of comfort with temperatures ranging between 25 and 29ºC. In addition, the heat is produced immediately, so it is easier to control the temperature levels through the thermostat.
Being in everything else just as efficient as underfloor heating by water, its price on the electricity bill, being electric, will mean a slightly higher cost than the previous one. So in the end, it is an option that we will consider if the natural gas supply does not reach our home or if it is not possible to install the piping mechanism that starts the water-based underfloor heating.
What type of soil do I choose?
After seeing the main advantages of both floors, now the most important part remains. See which option I have to choose depending on the type of housing in which I live. If you are in a position to choose between both, underfloor heating by water is recommended, due to the type of installation it requires, for new construction homes, comprehensive reforms and those that are of a considerable size.
If you combine underfloor heating by water with aerothermal energy, you will save a lot of money, even if the initial investment is very high. In addition, if you combine it with solar panels, you will have the cheapest air conditioning system in the long term. Electric underfloor heating is designed for smaller houses since its installation is easier.
