Hidden heating – the undercover story

Electric underfloor and wall heating is increasingly viewed as the modern alternative to traditional systems. Here, underfloor heating specialist, Heat Mat, shares some of the hidden facts that electrical wholesalers need to know about this evolving product sector.

Electric underfloor heating is being applied increasingly in construction – from retrofit and refurbishment to new build projects. Systems can warm a single room or a whole building in settings as diverse as zoos, castles, hotels, apartments, houses, conservatories, driveways and even piers.

Amid growing interest among electrical wholesalers and distributors to provide customers with the full facts on and benefits of the products they offer, Heat Mat provides stockists with product training and support to give them the knowledge and insight to satisfy customer requirements and queries.

Underfloor heating offers flexible, energy efficient and space-saving solutions that are easy to install and require little if any maintenance.

Wholesalers have a key role in helping electrical and plumbing contractors optimise underfloor heating installs and staff training is crucial in helping to convey the benefits and identify an appropriate system for the application.

Installation

A variety of options are available for installation under floor coverings – from tile and wood to carpet and vinyl.

Loose wire under-tile systems fit small, awkward spaces, heating mats are perfect for larger spaces and 6mm in-screed cables for cost-effective, ground-up installations.

Innovative ice and snow solutions are also available for frost protection and winter defence and these can also form part of wholesalers’ stock in trade.

As an aid to strengthening the supply chain, Heat Mat also offers training days for installers throughout Britain to ensure that they are up to speed on the latest developments in this fast-changing sector.

The desired level of knowledge stretches to the types of floor coverings under which electric underfloor heating can be laid, calculation of the area of heating cable needed and the likely energy consumption of the installation.

The most suitable type of system depends on such factors as:

– Size of the room.

– How well insulated the space is.

– Will the system supplement radiators or is it the sole heat source?

– Build height available.

– Floor covering type.

Electric underfloor heating is a robust, reliable alternative to more traditional forms of heating. Lifetime guarantees, such as those offered by Heat Mat, reinforce the reliability of the product, giving wholesalers and contractors added confidence in what is a rapidly evolving alternative.

Wall heating

Heat Mat’s design and technical team can investigate, research and advise wholesalers and contractors on the most fitting style of system, from wall heating in homes and hotels to heat mats warming the floors and rooms.

Systems are installed in some of Britain’s most notable structures such as Hastings Pier, the LG Arena, Bodelwyddan Castle, British Airways i360 and The Cutty Sark.

A pioneering approach to the marketplace shapes UK sector growth by maintaining best practice within and service delivery to industry, leisure, tourism and housing. Partnerships with wholesalers help to ensure the awareness of electric underfloor heating and its application continues to develop.

Architects and designers now look to electric underfloor and wall heating systems to help their building and construction schemes meet low carbon and sustainability targets. Together with intelligent thermostats, systems fit snugly within today’s smart, connected homes focus.

Hidden heating delivers major benefits across several sectors. High-end urban living increasingly dictates optimum use of available space. Electric underfloor – and within-wall – heating frees up invaluable square footage radiators traditionally take up.

The same rationale applies within the hotel sector, where systems are finding ready application to meet today’s trend for pared back, chic styles within bathrooms and bedrooms.

Raising levels of product know-how among wholesalers ensures they can react quickly and decisively to aid customers in delivering fit-for-purpose solutions, whether standard or bespoke installs – and that applies just as much to electric underfloor heating as it does to the vast range of electrical goods they stock.

www.heatmat.co.uk