Should You Turn Off Underfloor Heating In The Summer?

Underfloor heating is a highly efficient energy-saving heating system that is unobtrusive and very effective in heating your home. Both water and electric under-floor heating systems have low running costs and require very little maintenance. Underfloor heating eliminates the need for radiators, which means more space per room and it’s a more hygienic type of heating system too. A warm floor discourages dust mites, which can be harmful, especially to people with respiratory problems. And with a modern UFH control system, including smart thermostats, you can decide exactly how warm you want your home to be.

Benefits of turning your underfloor heating off during the summer months

Should you turn off underfloor heating in the summer? With your UFH temperature control system at your fingertips, you can turn the system off during the warm summer months and benefit further from energy savings. Leaving your underfloor heating system turned on during the summer is simply a waste of precious resources and so why would you want to? Leaving the system on would only increase the warm ambient temperature of your rooms, prompting you to turn on fans and possibly air conditioning, which will help cool the property but generate further energy costs.

Leaving the UFH heating system on during the summer months will not only prove to be expensive, but it could also lead to premature maintenance costs, as the system will be operating for between 4 and 6 months longer per year than is necessary. Experts suggest if your UFH system is water based then you switch it on for about 15-20 minutes every 2 weeks to ensure there are no issues and to prevent the system from sticking. You might want to consider switching the system back on briefly during the cooler summer evenings too.

How to turn off underfloor heating

Having decided to switch off your UFH system, what is the best way to do it? How to turn off underfloor heating requires you to first turn off the thermostat. Next, locate the power supply switch to the system and switch that off too. If you have a water-based UFH system you might want to consider draining it especially if you live in an area that is subject to extremely low temperatures. However, it’s best to consult the manufacturer’s instruction guide before proceeding with this stage.

How Long Does It Take For Underfloor Heating To Cool Down?

It can take up to 24 hours for the UFH system to cool down completely and this will vary from room to room. For example, if you have UFH installed under a kitchen floor, which has a stone-tiled surface, it will seem to take much longer to cool than a floor that has wooden boards or a carpet surface. That’s simply because stone has a high level of thermal density, causing it to absorb and retain heat. It will therefore radiate heat for longer during the cooling process. That also means it will take longer for stone to heat up when cold.

How To Turn On Underfloor Heating

As the warmth of the summer months fade and winter begins to take hold, it’s time to think about switching your UFH system back on. If you have switched your UFH off for the summer and subsequently switched it back on temporarily every 2-3 weeks without any problems then simply switch it on and adjust the thermostat. You should always check that the thermostat is working correctly.
However, if your UFH system is water-based and has not been switched on throughout the summer then you should also check for possible leaks. Once the system has been switched back on it can take up to 4 hours to heat up.

Underfloor Heating Not Working After Summer

Generally, an electric underfloor heating system will not be affected by switching it off for the summer but occasionally there could be an issue when firing up a water-based system that has been off for some time. Very often the problem is a malfunctioning thermostat or a circulating pump problem. In most cases, you have to simply reset a thermostat. If you’re not sure how to do this then refer to the manufacturer’s user guide. If the problem is the circulating pump then you will need to consult an electrician.

In some cases, when a UFH system fails, it’s down to a pin valve, which is sticking. This valve is located below the actuator. Remove the actuator and check that the pin valve is free to move. If the actuator is stuck down, it can be freed using a silicone spray or WD40. Alternatively, you can use a pair of long-nose pliers to try and free the pin.

Underfloor heating can save you money on your energy bills but which type of system would be right for you? If you’re considering having UFH installed in your home then electric underfloor heating might be the best option. Before you decide, you might want to consult the experts for free, no-obligation advice.