If you are the proud owner of underfloor heating, should you turn it off in the summer? As winter ends and temperatures rise, additional home heating is rarely needed, so it makes sense to consider turning it off.
But, there are some clear advantages to your switching off Underfloor heating In the summer, it’s more about just hitting the off button and leaving it until you need it again.
Here, experts guide you through the proper switch-off procedure, how to maintain the system during the warmer months, and how to turn it back on without causing any damage.
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Should you turn off underfloor heating in the summer?
It’s a question more people ask than you might think, confirm Gordon Chalk and Alan Houghton, managing directors. Next level underfloor heating and screed solutions.
“People ask us this question all the time, and our answer is, yes, you should turn off your underfloor heating in the summer. The main reason is to save energy and be more efficient,” he explains.
“Even if that one Electric underfloor heating system Or water-based, it’s meant to keep you warm in cold weather, so when the temperature outside is always high, you don’t need the same. radiators On, you don’t even need your underfloor heating.”
An alternative is to lower the temperature setting, but Gordon and Allen still recommend turning it down.
“Even if you lower the setting, the system is still ‘active’ in some way. If the backup temperature is too low it may not activate as often, but it still uses power (albeit very little) to check the temperature and stay in sleep mode.
“Imagine your UFH system as a car engine,” he expands. “If you’re not going anywhere, you don’t leave your car running all day, even if the RPMs are very low. It’s the same for your underfloor heating. When it’s not in use, turning it off completely saves fuel, and keeps it from wearing out.”
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Working in the industry for over 15 years Gordon & Alan’s mission is to help property owners be warmer and more comfortable with underfloor heating and the right floor screed.
Advantages of closing UFH during summer
Turning off your underfloor heating has many benefits:
1. Spend less
Saving money is of course one of the more obvious reasons to switch off your underfloor heating in the summer.
“This is without a doubt the biggest and most obvious advantage,” confirm Gordon and Allen. “Electric systems don’t use power when they’re off, and wet systems don’t use fuel when their controls and pumps are off. So, no matter what type of system you have, turning it off can save a lot of money on your energy bill during the summer months.”
2. Relax and extend life
Turning off the underfloor heating also benefits the system, say Gordon and Allen. “A period of idleness is good for any mechanical or electrical device. It cuts down on your hours. Boiler, Heat pumpCirculation pumps and zone valves have to operate in a wet system.”
“That means the heater elements are under less stress for longer, and the thermostat switches have less work to do,” he continues. “If these parts experience less wear and tear, they should last longer and break less often. It’s like giving a marathon runner breaks between runs.”
3. Low carbon emissions
Using less energy will also have a positive impact on the environment. “If you use less energy, you can directly reduce your carbon footprint, which is consistent with a healthy lifestyle,” Gordon and Allen say.
4. Prevents unwanted heating
When the system is off, it will not release any heat, even when the thermostat is set to a very low temperature, there is still a risk that a sudden drop in outside temperature could activate the underfloor heating.
“Even a very low setting can make the home a bit warmer than desired, especially if the home is Well insulatedGordon and Allen say. “However when you turn it off this risk disappears completely.”
How to turn off underfloor heating
The primary option for controlling electric and water-based systems is to use their respective heaters and central controls.
How to turn off electric UFH
Gordon and Allen explain that the typical procedure for shutting down an electric underfloor heating system usually means operating it through the room thermostats, although there can be variations.
“First, go to the thermostat in each room that controls your electric UFH zones. Find the setting or button that says Off or Standby and press this. Or, if your system has a central coder or hub, use it to turn off or set all zones to holiday mode,” he says.
“For added safety, you can also turn off UFH’s special circuit breaker Consumer Unit (Fuse Box),” they add. “However, unless you’re going for an extended period, this is usually not necessary.”
How to turn off wet UFH
Shutting down a wet (or water-based) system involves a different process.
“The first thing to do is stop the water flow from your heat source (Boiler or heat pump) to your UFH,” say Gordon and Allen, noting that, “this is the most important step. The most common way to do this is through your smart home device or central thermostat.”
“Look for a heating setting that says ‘off’ or ‘summer mode’. Once this is set, the UFH circulation pump will not be activated as no hot water will be supplied to it. On the thermostats in each room, you can also set it to ‘off’,” he adds. “This ensures that no single zone is trying to summon heat independently.”
Should you turn off the power to the main heat source?
Gordon and Allen add a word of caution, however, about turning off the power to your heat source.
“Don’t turn off the power unless the manufacturer’s manual specifically tells you to do so during the summer.”
“You’ll still need hot water for the bathroom and kitchen, and turning off your heat source completely will mean you’re without it. Instead, if you want extra reassurance, make sure your UFH zone valves are closed. It’s worth noting, though,” he adds, “that these valves usually close themselves when there’s no demand.”
Finally, Gordon and Allen offer a smart tip: “If you have a Smart home systemCreating a ‘summer shutdown’ option can make this process very easy. With one word, you can close all UFH zones.”
Maintenance tips for summer shutdown
To keep underfloor heating in optimal condition, it needs to be done right maintainedEven if it is not permanently on. This can be particularly important for wet underfloor heating systems.
Gordon and Allen recommend running the system once a month or bi-monthly for the following reasons:
- Keeps the pump from seizing – Circulation pumps may freeze if not used for a long time. A short run keeps them oiled and ready to work.
- Keeps the valve working – The periodic cycle zone is also beneficial for valve or manifold actuators, as it helps to prevent them.
- revolves around water – This prevents stagnant water problems and helps in dispersing blockages.
Maintenance for electrical systems
However, if you have an electric underfloor heating system, the same rules do not apply.
“You don’t need to turn on the electric system when it’s not in use in the summer,” confirm Gordon and Allen. “Parts don’t move, so they don’t have to deal with the same problems like pumps failing or water stagnating.”
FAQs
How do I get my UFH back on in the fall?
After a long period of inactivity, wet-based systems take some time to warm up, so you’ll need to take this into account when deciding when to turn on your UFH.
“If a system is shut down for months, the floor slab will be at room temperature, which can be anywhere from 18°C to 22°C,” Gordon and Allen explain. “So it will take a long time to warm this mass up to a suitable working temperature, such as 24°C to 26°C floor surface temperature.
“It can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, or longer in a large room with poor people InsulationTo feel completely warm again,” they warn.
However, it is important to take precautions when switching back to your UFH.
“Don’t turn your UFH back on full blast when you do this later in the summer. Instead, do it over the course of a day or two, gradually increasing the set point. This prevents Finish the floor from being damaged by sudden temperature changes, and allowing the system to warm up more slowly and efficiently.”
Are there any common issues to see after restarting UFH?
“There are a few things that can often go wrong with wet systems,” say Gordon and Allen. “Most often, this is caused by a temperature that is not communicating properly with the zone valve actuator, or a zone valve actuator that is stuck and has not moved after idling.
“First, check the thermostat setting and battery. Then, manually check the actuator on the manifold,” he suggests. “If there are cold spots on a wet UFH when you turn it back on, it could also mean that air is stuck in a certain circuit. To sort this out, The circuit will need to be bladed on the trunk or main system.”
You may also experience a lack of system pressure (at wet UFH). “When the pressure gauge shows that the pressure is too low, you will need to repressurize the system according to the instructions that came with your boiler or heat pump,” say Gordon and Allen.
Finally, if the system is not turning on (wet and electric), they suggest you, “Check the main power supply (circuit breaker), make sure the central programmer is set correctly, and make sure each thermostat is asking for heat.”
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