Is Your Underfloor Heating Ready for Winter?

yle=”text-align: left;”>As winter approaches, do you cringe at the thought of turning the thermostat up? Especially with the rise of gas and electric prices? You’re not alone, and your Underfloor Heating (UFH) system maybe needs a little more TLC to ensure it’s running correctly and all the mechanical and electrical components are working in a tip-top condition.

Hopefully, you have your heat source regularly serviced by a registered plumber. If not, get it done as soon as possible, as this can affect not only the efficiency of your unit but also its safe running. But did you know it’s just as important that your heat emitter is checked before the heating season starts? This will ensure that not only your system works, but the efficiency is optimum. Some items you can carry out yourself, but others will require a qualified plumber who can do the work as part of the boiler service.

1. Check the Batteries in Your Thermostats

Depending on the thermostats you have installed, you might need to check the batteries. Batteries in wireless thermostats tend to last two years, but if the thermostat is positioned away from the control box, it will have a much shorter lifespan and could not work when your system starts up because the signal range is greater. What’s more, if your thermostat is on the border of the signal range, a low battery symbol might not appear. Therefore, we recommend changing your batteries every year to be sure.

2. Make Sure All Your Actuators Work

Actuators are found on your manifold, typically on the bottom bar. When you turn your thermostats up, after around 5 minutes, they should be letting heat into your system. You are looking for an indicator on the actuator to show that they have raised. Please bear in mind that it differs with each manufacturer, but a sure sign the actuators have opened is when they become warm during operation, and the pipe at the top should get warm too.

3. Check Your Zone Valves and Pumps

Your plumber or service engineer should check the operation of both the zone valve and pump (if fitted) on your underfloor heating system. One of the biggest issues we hear is that no heat in a system is caused by a weak/faulty pump or a zone valve that does not open.

4. Check For Leaks

If your system is not holding pressure, the most common cause is manifold leaks. Check around the manifold for discolouration and build-up. This normally happens around the valve pin where the actuator sits (be careful the actuators are not water damaged). Your plumber should fix any leaks you have. All spares for Multipipe manifolds are available here.

5. Check Your Mixing Valves

If you are using a boiler, make sure your plumber checks the mixing valve on the manifold. This helps reduce the temperature going into your floor, making it safe. If this fails, this can cause damage to your floors or even cause health problems. So always make sure it is calibrated with the original manufacturer’s guidelines.

If you have any more questions about getting your underfloor heating system ready for winter, our technical team is always here to help you out. Email technical@multipipe.co.uk or call 01245 227630.