Usage of Newly Installed Electrical Underfloor Heating Help and information on all topics relating to your central heating, air conditioning and ventilation issues.

[PuzzledByPlumbing]

Newbie posting so apologies if I have got the wrong forum. My question is about the use of newly installed electrical underfloor heating.

I have just had a shower room professionally renovated. This room is part of a loft conversion. I wanted a heated towel rail to replace the existing radiator but couldn't install one large enough to provide the recommended BTUs because of height restrictions governed by the position of the CH supply tank. I had thought of installing a second small radiator or another heated towel rail. However I was persuaded to install electrical underfloor heating. On reading the user manual (Thermosphere) it states that it should initially be set to 15 deg C and gradually ramped up to the desired temperature in 2 deg increments so as not to shock the ceramic tile flooring. The settings on the controller allow for various temperature settings throughout the day but not an "off" setting. Am I correct in assuming that this means it should always be left on at a minimum of 15 deg? As electricity costs approximately 3 times more than gas have I let myself in for high running costs? The room is approximately 2m x 2.5m.

Many thanks for reading this far.

[stoneyboy]

Hi puzzledbyplumbing
Not all ceramic tiles are equal - suggest you seek the advice of your installer/supplier regarding thermal shock.
You will probably be inputting something around 200 watts per square meter and getting about half at the tiled surface, so 2x2.5x100 = 500w into the room.
Regards S

[ericmark]

I fitted underfloor heating into mothers wet room, it was a good job it also had a towel rail, as it was useless.

But there was a switch so could switch off, however there is not really an off switch with central heating, we just turn it down.