Underfloor heating

Where can we get them? Is it better than having reverse-cycle air-con units?

not sure of the power consumption compared to forced air (air con), but assuming they are similar, in-floor is definitely better in all other respects. you will have far less dust in your house, it is a more comfortable heat, warming your feet most, then rising to warm the rest of your body. it is applicable to tiled floors, so you can have a warm bathroom floor to step onto in winter, and it is silent.


that said, i'm not sure the expense is worth it in hk, where you might use it, realistically, for 30 days out of the year at most...a pair of socks, in my opinion, does as good a job at a fraction of the cost, financially and environmentally...


i have a friend here with more money than sense who intalled it whole-house...it is definitely a treat to visit there in winter, very soothing radiant heat, as opposed to a hot breeze blowing on you, and they (and their helper!) can vouch for the reduction in dust around the house.

i had it installed in my concrete basement floor slab in Canada, where heating is a matter of survival in winter lol, and it is a dream to walk on, but again, here I seriously doubt it's merits...


but if you are really interested, try these guys for the sales pitch:

http://www.floorheating.com.hk/

Underfloor heating is by far the most efficient heating method energy wise. Way better than forced air. It provides even heat and since heat rises it is placed logically under the floor. As funbobby says, it produces less dust, it doesn't dry the air.


I don't know if it is worth it in HK though, for those few weeks of cold. Electric oil-filled radiators are the way to go here. Way better than forced air. They give the same kind of radiant heat as underfloor, so less dust and no drying, but the heat is much more localized so less efficient.

personally i've chosen RC aircon instead of oil heaters, both for the better efficiency/whole room heating, and because we have a toddler in the house. she hasn't been burned yet, but i wasn't willing to take the chance (admittedly there are 'child safe' oil heaters out there) plus useable floor space is precious to us so one less appliance and cord lying around, the better...especially at night in a darkened bedroom (she tends to wander lol)

I hear you on the child safety aspect. When the kids were smaller we'd move a chest of drawers to "cut a corner" and put the heater behind that.


They do take up space, and you have to stack-em somewhere in summer...