Underfloor heating - the best temperature?
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For a few months I've been enjoying a bathroom floor that feels like a Greek beach in summer, you practically had to run across it. The joy ended abruptly on the arrival of my electricity bill however. (£550 for the quarter) So, I'm trying to find the sweet spot. Electric under floor heating appears to be eye-wateringly expensive. It currently tells me its 22 degrees Celsius, but actually feels pretty toasty. I'd have thought that anything less than 37 degrees (depending on its thermal conductivity) would likely feel cold, and anything higher than that warm. The tiles are some sort of ceramic typical of bathrooms so I would think that has a high thermal conductivity. 22 degrees air temperature is pretty pleasant, but that has low thermal conductivity. So my question, is 22 degrees actually warm, or is the thermostat knackered? How hot is the average bath? Happy new year btw!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
you should post that on first world problems :)
Amr Abdel Majeed Senior Software Developer
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For a few months I've been enjoying a bathroom floor that feels like a Greek beach in summer, you practically had to run across it. The joy ended abruptly on the arrival of my electricity bill however. (£550 for the quarter) So, I'm trying to find the sweet spot. Electric under floor heating appears to be eye-wateringly expensive. It currently tells me its 22 degrees Celsius, but actually feels pretty toasty. I'd have thought that anything less than 37 degrees (depending on its thermal conductivity) would likely feel cold, and anything higher than that warm. The tiles are some sort of ceramic typical of bathrooms so I would think that has a high thermal conductivity. 22 degrees air temperature is pretty pleasant, but that has low thermal conductivity. So my question, is 22 degrees actually warm, or is the thermostat knackered? How hot is the average bath? Happy new year btw!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
22 degrees sounds just right to me, if it's air temp where talking about. Floor temp should be about four degrees higher. Question, is the thermostat measuring the floor or air temp? If it's measuring the air temp and you're having an extractor fan or similar contruction in the bathroom, the thermostat is effectively measuring the temp in the room outside the door, and the heating might therefore be constantly on.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
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For a few months I've been enjoying a bathroom floor that feels like a Greek beach in summer, you practically had to run across it. The joy ended abruptly on the arrival of my electricity bill however. (£550 for the quarter) So, I'm trying to find the sweet spot. Electric under floor heating appears to be eye-wateringly expensive. It currently tells me its 22 degrees Celsius, but actually feels pretty toasty. I'd have thought that anything less than 37 degrees (depending on its thermal conductivity) would likely feel cold, and anything higher than that warm. The tiles are some sort of ceramic typical of bathrooms so I would think that has a high thermal conductivity. 22 degrees air temperature is pretty pleasant, but that has low thermal conductivity. So my question, is 22 degrees actually warm, or is the thermostat knackered? How hot is the average bath? Happy new year btw!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
This is a vexing problem, Rob, because perceived heat will vary with DNA heritage and epigenetic expression of proteins regulated by genes as a result of life-experience of both you, and your ancestors. And, conditions like leprosy, or peripheral neuropathy as a result of diabetes, for example, can mute nerve response. Assuming you are not leprous and/or neuropathic, then we come to the complex subjective influence of intrapsychic factors in reaction to ... and shaping ... individual perceptions even of basic physiological parameters. Cultural context, set-setting, etc. 'Tis true: subjectivity rides the bucking bronco of physiology. For example, we, intuitively, will say that this man: [^] appears to be having a hot bath. But, what is his inner experience ? How would that inner experience be different if he were playing with a rubber duck, for example, rather than Choco. Is it possible that he actually feels cool ? I think he's cool. In other words, science may not be able to help you here, but do know: science is on your side (referring to science supporting you in your quest for algorithmic certainty, not to science actually in the tub with you). cheers, Bill
«A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards ... as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push» Wittgenstein
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This is a vexing problem, Rob, because perceived heat will vary with DNA heritage and epigenetic expression of proteins regulated by genes as a result of life-experience of both you, and your ancestors. And, conditions like leprosy, or peripheral neuropathy as a result of diabetes, for example, can mute nerve response. Assuming you are not leprous and/or neuropathic, then we come to the complex subjective influence of intrapsychic factors in reaction to ... and shaping ... individual perceptions even of basic physiological parameters. Cultural context, set-setting, etc. 'Tis true: subjectivity rides the bucking bronco of physiology. For example, we, intuitively, will say that this man: [^] appears to be having a hot bath. But, what is his inner experience ? How would that inner experience be different if he were playing with a rubber duck, for example, rather than Choco. Is it possible that he actually feels cool ? I think he's cool. In other words, science may not be able to help you here, but do know: science is on your side (referring to science supporting you in your quest for algorithmic certainty, not to science actually in the tub with you). cheers, Bill
«A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards ... as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push» Wittgenstein
Can you believe that? Chito is still alive and Pocho died of old age! :omg: Story[^] Impressed! :D
My programming get away... The Blog... All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar DirectX for WinRT/C# since 2013! Taking over the world since 1371!
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For a few months I've been enjoying a bathroom floor that feels like a Greek beach in summer, you practically had to run across it. The joy ended abruptly on the arrival of my electricity bill however. (£550 for the quarter) So, I'm trying to find the sweet spot. Electric under floor heating appears to be eye-wateringly expensive. It currently tells me its 22 degrees Celsius, but actually feels pretty toasty. I'd have thought that anything less than 37 degrees (depending on its thermal conductivity) would likely feel cold, and anything higher than that warm. The tiles are some sort of ceramic typical of bathrooms so I would think that has a high thermal conductivity. 22 degrees air temperature is pretty pleasant, but that has low thermal conductivity. So my question, is 22 degrees actually warm, or is the thermostat knackered? How hot is the average bath? Happy new year btw!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
I think you may have gone outside the realm of what underfloor heating is meant to do. Its objective is "to heat the room", not "to keep the floor at toasty-roasty happyfoot temperature". Obviously, the floor will be warmer than the air a metre from floor height, which will be nice for your toesies, but setting the temperature at 22 means that you want all the air in the room to be that temperature, and it will break its balls to pump that much heat. If you want the floor not to feel cold (which a wet floor in a bathroom always will), cover it with something that doesn't suck all the heat out of what it touches.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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These are low temperatures - 17c from Dave below, 18c here. Don't get how that can feel warm, but I'm going to give it a go!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
It really depends on what your aim is. If you want it to be really warm and toasty on the bottom of your feet then set it high; my wife likes to set ours at 32C (thermostat has a probe in the floor). If you just want to take the chill out of the floor so your bare feet do not freeze when you step on it first thing in the morning then a lower temp will suffice. Also look into programmable thermostats that will warm the floor just before you get up in the morning, no need to keep it hot 24 hours a day.
Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
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Can you believe that? Chito is still alive and Pocho died of old age! :omg: Story[^] Impressed! :D
My programming get away... The Blog... All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar DirectX for WinRT/C# since 2013! Taking over the world since 1371!
Great Find, Super Lloyd, what a wonderful story. The fact that Chito sang "The Great Pretender" at Pocho's funeral is incredibly touching ! thanks, Bill
«A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards ... as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push» Wittgenstein
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Great Find, Super Lloyd, what a wonderful story. The fact that Chito sang "The Great Pretender" at Pocho's funeral is incredibly touching ! thanks, Bill
«A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked and opens inwards ... as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push» Wittgenstein
To tell you the whole story I was looking for the tragic ending of Chito with some unfortunate "accident"... Well it didn't happen! :omg: :-D
My programming get away... The Blog... All in one Menu-Ribbon Bar DirectX for WinRT/C# since 2013! Taking over the world since 1371!
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http://www.floorheatingsystems.co.uk/questions-about-underfloor-heating.htm[^] Look at the running cost estimates in that link......maybe the heat loss in your room is too high. make sure you are filling the gaps between floor and skirting etc to stop draughts. It is not just the temperature, it is the time it is on. You need to work out when you actually need the temperature, maybe you are unnecessarily heating the room when you are not there. I would start with 17'C and edge it up 1'c every couple of days until you find that point that feels comfortable, but not too warm, you only want to take the chill out of the air.
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I don't trust their running costs: their rate of £4/m²/year seems much too low. The Energy Saving Trust calculator http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/content/home-energy-check[^] suggests nearly £2k to heat a new, well-insulated 4-bed detached house (150m²) with electricity (underfloor), ie £13/m². reducing to £1340 (8.9/m²) with mains gas. Note that the Handy Heat page itself says the system is designed to run the floor at 25-28C. Fed up with the slow heating rate (and high cost) of the electric underfloor heating in our bathroom, I fitted a £23 2kW fan heater which does the job (warm the air) in no time, and only runs when required. I can cope with cold feet for a few seconds.
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For a few months I've been enjoying a bathroom floor that feels like a Greek beach in summer, you practically had to run across it. The joy ended abruptly on the arrival of my electricity bill however. (£550 for the quarter) So, I'm trying to find the sweet spot. Electric under floor heating appears to be eye-wateringly expensive. It currently tells me its 22 degrees Celsius, but actually feels pretty toasty. I'd have thought that anything less than 37 degrees (depending on its thermal conductivity) would likely feel cold, and anything higher than that warm. The tiles are some sort of ceramic typical of bathrooms so I would think that has a high thermal conductivity. 22 degrees air temperature is pretty pleasant, but that has low thermal conductivity. So my question, is 22 degrees actually warm, or is the thermostat knackered? How hot is the average bath? Happy new year btw!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
22 degrees is on the low end of the comfort zone, so it's nominally cool. I would put it at 25 or 26. 37 C is 99 F!!!
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For a few months I've been enjoying a bathroom floor that feels like a Greek beach in summer, you practically had to run across it. The joy ended abruptly on the arrival of my electricity bill however. (£550 for the quarter) So, I'm trying to find the sweet spot. Electric under floor heating appears to be eye-wateringly expensive. It currently tells me its 22 degrees Celsius, but actually feels pretty toasty. I'd have thought that anything less than 37 degrees (depending on its thermal conductivity) would likely feel cold, and anything higher than that warm. The tiles are some sort of ceramic typical of bathrooms so I would think that has a high thermal conductivity. 22 degrees air temperature is pretty pleasant, but that has low thermal conductivity. So my question, is 22 degrees actually warm, or is the thermostat knackered? How hot is the average bath? Happy new year btw!
Regards, Rob Philpott.
We have a programmable thermostat for the whole house system. It turns the heat up about 30 minutes before morning alarm, down about the time we leave for the day, back up again about 30 minutes before we go to bed (that makes certain we go to bed and don't keep working/reading/watching old movies. From what you said, it might pay for itself the first year. Maybe you could install something like that for your bathroom floor heat system. (BTW, I always love complaining about when my luxuries aren't "just right" as the Goldlilocks thing goes!)
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