Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to see the answerWhy do you offer so few system options?
How long does it take to install?
Who can repair my system should a fault develop?
What if I drill through the loops in the floor?
What type of boiler do I need?
Can I lay the insulation myself?
Why is individual room control so important?
Why can’t I do it myself?
Other companies provide a design and supply service, why don’t you?
Will you install a system supplied by someone else?
Do you commission other systems?
Will you fault find or repair other systems?
What floor coverings are suitable?
Why do you offer so few system options?
We design each system to provide optimum performance and efficiency. Why would we then want to degrade this by offering lower priced components, or leaving out some controls?
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How long does it take to install?
Typically the average project takes 3-4 days to install and ready for the screed. See Thermotech Screed
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Who can repair my system should a fault develop?
With the exception of the heating loops, any self-respecting heating engineer would be able to repair it with readily available components.
Remember we use only UK specification pipe and components that are available at all good plumbers’ merchants. Just try getting 16mm fittings, used by some of our competitors, from your local merchant.
The loops themselves would only require attention if damaged, and once the screed is down this becomes highly unlikely.
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What if I drill through the loops in the floor?
First of all it has to be said that you sound like a person who should not be let loose with power tools! But if you do manage to damage the loops in this way then we can effect a repair without digging up the entire floor.
That said we have never been called upon to perform such a repair.
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What type of boiler do I need?
Just about any form of heat generator can be utilised, including Gas, Oil, Solar and Geothermal.
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Can I lay the insulation myself?
Yes, providing that you lay it to the appropriate standard. In particular there should be no gaps, joints should be staggered, the whole floor must be insulated including that fiddly 36mm down one side, to prevent thermal bridging when the screed is laid.
If you'd prefer to leave it to us then that's fine and all our standard quotations include the labour cost for this.
If insulation has been laid and does not to comply with current regulations then we reserve the right to suspend installation. Furthermore, we will make an additional charge if this delays the progress of the installation.
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Why is individual room control so important?
A reduction in the temperature from 21 to 20 can result in a 10% reduction in energy required and subsequently running costs and carbon emissions. Therefore the more control that you have, the greater the potential savings.
(Building Regulations Part L1 state that a way of demonstrating compliance would be to control the temperatures independently in areas that have different heating needs, such as sleeping and living areas.)
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Why can’t I do it myself?
Theoretically you could. However, as a specialist company we can offer you the assurance that the system is installed to ensure maximum efficiency. Considering that, by its very nature, underfloor heating loops will not be accessible after the floor screed is down – do you want to get it wrong?
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Other companies provide a design and supply service, why don’t you?
Simply because we care. We want you to have the best system that money can buy. As installation by a third party would be beyond our control, we could not be sure that the system would perform at an optimum level.
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Will you install a system supplied by someone else?
No.
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Do you commission other systems?
No.
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Will you fault find or repair other systems?
Yes, we are able to offer a fault finding and repair service on a wide range of water based underfloor heating systems. Using thermal image equipment we are able to identify problem areas and suggest remedies, or repair the system. We can provide a report and recommendation service only or, in most cases, offer a repair solution.
Please note that due to the range of systems available we cannot give advice over the telephone or by email. If you would like further information on underfloor heating repairs where the system was installed by someone other than Thermotech please complete the Enquiry Form and we will contact you.
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What floor coverings are suitable?
Just about any floor covering can be applied on top of UFH, including
Carpet (ideally with an underlay having a combined TOG value less than 1.5)
Ceramic and Slate tiles
Vinyl
Wood
Thinner floorings will generally have a low thermal inertia, and allow a faster response time by the underfloor heating loops to changes in temperature required by, people entering or leaving rooms or to sudden changes in habitation pattens within a household such as someone visiting or coming to stay for a day or two.
These changes do not normally occur, or have already been considered at the design stage, in industrial and commercial premises and in these cases a covering with a higher thermal inertia can be considered.
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