Today, an increasing number of people are beginning to prefer warm floors to the heating radiators familiar from Soviet times . It is convenient, practical and modern. On the market, these products are represented by two types - electric and water. Both of them have their advantages and their disadvantages. Therefore, a legitimate question arises for the consumer: what to choose a warm floor - electric or water?
What is a description object?
Underfloor heating is a modern method of heating a room or its individual part. It has such a device that contributes to the simultaneous heating of the heated room, so that it warms up evenly. Unlike radiators, when using underfloor heating, the air does not dry out, but the floor and air warm up, which creates additional comfort when moving barefoot on the surface, while crawling on the floor of babies, and lowering their feet on the tile after taking a bath.
There are a variety of warm floors, which are combined in two types. Warm floor water or electric - which is better? Consider the advantages and disadvantages of these two types.
"Barrel of honey" for a water view
significant extent;
lack of electric potential;
low cost;
As a source of energy used to heat the coolant, both boilers and solar collectors can be used - any equipment that works on this principle.
For many consumers, the main factor in choosing between water and electric underfloor heating is price. The heat carrier "water" is characterized by a lower cost. With the successful selection of components and the correct installation, performed by professionals, this type of facility under consideration can last a very long time.
Advantages of the electric view
This floor heating can be installed in a renovated apartment. Its cable variety has a longer service life compared to that of water; It is characterized by low power consumption comparable with other household electrical appliances. Film infrared floor can be placed not only under the screed, but also under the floor, as well as under the carpet.
The core variety of this type withstands loads of heavy furniture and other items (unlike other types of the object under consideration), can be filled with tile glue, placed under the screed, on the street, that is, it is resistant to high humidity and harmless. Thus, the potential answer to the question of whether a warm floor - electric or water - is better, of course, will be electric, if there is no dependence on subsequent monthly additional payments for electricity.
Disadvantages of the water view
The main disadvantage is the concreting of this type, which makes repair work difficult if necessary. In addition, during the execution of the screed, damage to the pipeline may occur, which will not be detected in time. It is necessary to constantly maintain this view during the heating season, otherwise the water will freeze and pipes may burst.
Not all owners of these shortcomings are significant. So, to the question which heated floors in the apartment - water or electric - are better to use, you can give an unambiguous answer that, if the heating is central, then you can not mount a water view without the appropriate permits from the operating services.
"Fly in the ointment" for an electric view
The type under consideration can create an additional electromagnetic field, although, according to the manufacturers, the two-wire cables for the heated floor with a shielding braid have much less radiation compared to the wiring of the apartment, and, therefore, lower in relation to regulatory requirements. In houses where insufficient power can be used on a limited area.
Installation of an electric floor is quite expensive. For the infrared variety, its main advantage - the ability to place under the carpet - is leveled out by the fact that all contacts must be hidden in some way; in addition, the contact between the wire and the film is provided by a connector crimped by a flat press, which is not always applicable.
The core variety is quite expensive. Thus, according to the shortcomings, the answer to the question of which warm floor - electric or water - is better, everyone should determine for himself. In an apartment with central heating, it is preferable to use an electric view. What exactly to use - electric or water floor heating in the house, the owner must decide.
Electrical characteristic
As already noted, a number of varieties are characteristic of the electrical object under consideration:
cable floor. Here, the cables contain special alloys that convert electrical energy into heat. For this variety, a temperature regulator is required. Safety is confirmed by the certificate of conformity for the ISO 14000 cable and for KIMA products;
film floor. Heated carbon film. When connected to electricity, infrared rays and anions are emitted. Electricity is supplied using copper-silver conductors, the main working parts are sealed with two layers of polyester;
core floor. Here, the main elements are carbon rods, which are connected to each other, connected to the thermostat and the network. Implemented as mats.
Water feature
Here, the coolant is water. In the case of operation without a pump, it is necessary to take into account the laws of gravity, it is better to use it with a special water pump. The metal-plastic pipes along which the coolant moves are mounted under the screed, and then poured with concrete.
If there is already a floor in the room, but there is no warm water floor, it can be placed on the surface of the existing floor, which will raise the level of coverage by the amount of concrete screed. Warm floor water or electric? What's better? Consider these types at cost.
The cost of acquiring a warm floor
The costs of the object of consideration depend on many factors: the purchase price, installation, repair and other points. The question of whether a warm floor is cheaper - water or electric, suggests an integrated approach in finding the answer.
44 and 37 euros per 1 sq. m - the average cost of water and electric underfloor heating, respectively. Installation costs can vary significantly. As a rule, when buying and installing an electric floor is a bit cheaper.
Cost of owning a warm floor
In addition to the costs of the underfloor heating itself, it is necessary to take into account the costs that arise during operation. When burning 1 cubic meter of gas, about 10 kWh of energy is released, while the cost of 1 cubic meter of gas is about 1.5 times higher compared to the cost of 1 kWh of electricity, therefore, monthly payments for using a water heated floor are 6-7 times lower compared to electric. During operation, a situation may arise when repairs to the underfloor heating are required .
In case of electrical damage, it is possible to find the damaged area with an accuracy of several square centimeters and replace only it. If the accident happened in the water system, then most likely it will have to be replaced completely and, possibly, a new floor covering is required. These costs are difficult to consider when laying a warm floor. Here it is necessary to hire professional installers and take into account the quality of water. Warm floor electric or water - which is more profitable? There is no definite answer to this question. During trouble-free operation, a water view is more advantageous.
Preliminary Results
After reading most of the article, the reader may not make his choice. Warm floor electric or water? This article does not attempt to embrace the immensity. Which warm floor to choose - electric or water - everyone should think for themselves. If you are ready to incur significant one-time costs, hoping not to get them, if you live in a house located in an area where power outages are not uncommon, if you fear for your health, your choice is a water view.
If you are willing to bear the increased monthly electricity costs, without assuming significant repeated one-time costs, if you live in an apartment with central heating, if the apartment has already been repaired, if you have a small house or a large house with a stable supply of electricity , then your choice is the electric view. Comparison of a water heated floor and an electric one shows that the latter are mainly preferred by wealthy consumers, while the former is preferred by the middle class segment.
Reviews of underfloor heating
In this century of rapid development of the global network, many users are looking for answers to their questions on the Internet. One of these questions is: "Which warm floors are better - water or electric?". In search of an answer to this question, one can meet diametrically opposite points of view. Many forum users discuss underfloor heating - water and electric.
Reviews are also largely determined by the nature of the person, his financial situation, worldview. Very often, aquatic species perform their function perfectly and maintain a high temperature in homes. People who installed electric heated floors are also mostly satisfied with their choice, although there are occasionally complaints that after a while the floor begins to heat unevenly, and then it can completely fail.
Finally
Which floor to choose - electric or water - the consumer must decide for himself, having weighed all the advantages and disadvantages of one and the other types, and if you choose an electric floor, you need to consult with professionals and choose a variety.