Underfloor Heating - Under floor heating could benefit UK homeowners

14/03/2008

With rising energy costs and concerns over carbon emissions, UK homeowners could look to the example set by an American couple and their underfloor heating.

Henry and Darilyn Allen, from Clarksville, have hooked their underfloor heating system up to a geothermal heating and cooling pump, reports the Leaf Chronicle.

After the water is heated by the earth's dormant temperature, the system pumps it through underfloor piping, providing heat to the kitchen, bathroom and the rest of the house, while the system can also be used to cool the floors on hot days.

"This reduces the energy load needed to heat and cool floors to nothing," Mrs Allen told the paper of the renewable energy source.

Other improvements have also been made to the Allen's house to meet their green aims. Grey water, or water that has been used for any purpose apart from the toilet, is used in the garden, while all the fixtures and fittings were selected to be as energy-efficient as possible.

An eco-friendly underfloor heating system can help a UK home conform to the Code for Sustainable Homes, which rates UK homes against criteria for sustainable design.