If you’re the proud owner of underfloor heating, should you turn it off in the summer? With the winter over and the temperature rising, the need for extra home heating is rarely required, so it makes sense to consider switching it off.
But, while there are some obvious benefits to switching off your underfloor heating in the summer, there's more to simply pressing the off button and leaving it until you need it again.
Here, the experts guide you through the correct switch-off process, how to maintain a system during the warmer months, and how to switch it back on without causing any damage.
Article continues belowShould you turn off underfloor heating in the summer?
It's a question more people ask than you might think, confirm Gordon Chalk and Alan Houghton, managing directors at Next Level Underfloor Heating and Screed Solutions.
“People ask us this question all the time, and our answer is that, yes, you should turn off your underground heating in the summer. The main reason is to save energy and be more efficient," they explain.
"Whether it's an electric underfloor heating system or water-based, it is meant to keep you warm in cold weather, so when the temperature outside stays high all the time, in the same way you don't need radiators on, you don't need your underfloor heating on either.”
The alternative is to lower the temperature setting, but Gordon and Alan still recommend switching it off.
“Even if you lower the setting, the system is still 'active' in some way. It might not activate very often if the backup temperature is very low, but it still consumes power (albeit very little) to check the temperature and remain in sleep mode. So, when it's warm for a long time, a full turn-off uses the least amount of energy.”
“Imagine your UFH system as an engine for a car," they expand. "If you're not going anywhere, you wouldn't leave your car running all day, even if the RPMs were very low. It's the same for your underfloor heating. When it's not in use, turning it off fully saves fuel, and keeps it from wearing out.”
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Working in the industry for over 15 years Gordon and Alan's mission is to help property owners get warmer and more comfortable with underfloor heating and proper floor screed.
Benefits of turning off UFH during the summer
Turning off your underfloor heating comes with several benefits:
1. Spend less
Saving money is of course one of the more obvious reasons for turning off your underfloor heating in summer.
“This is without a doubt the biggest and most obvious benefit," confirm Gordon and Alan. " Electric systems don't use power when they're off, and wet systems don't use fuel when their controls and pumps are off. Therefore, whatever type of system you have, turning it off can save you a lot of money on your energy bills over the summer months.”
2. Rest and extend lifespan
Switching off underfloor heating benefits the system as well say Gordon and Alan. “Periods of idleness are good for any mechanical or electrical device. It cuts down on the hours that your boiler, heat pump, circulation pumps, and zone valves have to work in wet systems.”
“It means that the heater elements are under less stress for longer periods, and the thermostat switches have less work to do," they continue. "If these parts experience less wear and tear, they should last longer and break down less often. It's like giving a marathon runner a break between runs.”
3. Fewer carbon emissions
Using less energy will also have a positive impact on the environment. “If you use less energy, you directly reduce your carbon footprint, which is in line with healthy living practices," say Gordon and Alan.
4. Prevents unwanted heat
When a system is off, it won’t release any heat, whereas even if the thermostat is set to a very low temperature, there's still a risk that a sudden drop in temperature outside could activate the underfloor heating inside.
“Even a very low setting could make a home a little warmer than wanted, especially if the home is well-insulated," say Gordon and Alan. "This risk however disappears completely when you turn it off.”
How to switch off underflooor heating
The primary option for controlling electric and water-based systems is to use their associated heaters and central controls.
How to switch off electric UFH
Gordon and Alan explain that the typical process for switching off an electric underfloor heating system, usually means managing it via the room thermostats, although there can be differences.
“First, go to the thermostat in each room that controls your electric UFH zones. Find the setting or button that says off, or standby, and press this. Or, if your system has a central coder or hub, use that to turn off or set all of the zones to holiday mode," they say.
“For extra safety, you could also turn off the UFH's specialised circuit breaker at the consumer unit (fuse box)," they add. "However, unless you're leaving for an extended period, this is generally not necessary.”
How to switch off wet UFH
Switching off a wet (or water-based) system involves a different process.
“The first thing to do is to stop the flow of water from your heat source (boiler or heat pump) to your UFH," say Gordon and Alan, noting that, "this is the most important step. The most common way to do this is through your smart home device or central thermostat.”
“Look for a heating setting that says ‘off’ or ‘summer mode’. Once this is set, the UFH circulation pump won't be able to activate as there will be no hot water supplied to it. On the thermostats in each room, you can also set them to ‘off'," they add. "This ensures that no single zone attempts to call for heat independently.”
Should you switch off power to the main heat source?
Gordon and Alan add a word of caution however regarding turning off the power to your heat source.
“Do not turn off the power unless the manufacturer's guidelines tells you to do so in a certain way during the summer.”
“You will still need hot water for bathrooms and kitchens, and turning your heat source off fully will mean you are without it. Instead, if you want added assurance, make sure your UFH zone valves are closed. Although it’s worth noting," they add, "that these valves generally close themselves when there is no demand.”
Finally, Gordon and Alan offer a smart tip: “If you have a smart home system, creating a 'summer shutdown' option can make this process very easy. With one word, you can turn off all UFH zones."
Maintenance tips for summer shutdowns
To keep underfloor heating in optimum condition, it needs to be properly maintained, even if it's not switched on permanently. This can be particularly important for wet underfloor heating systems.
Gordon and Alan suggest switching the system on either once a month, or bi-monthly for the following reasons:
- Keeps the pump from seizing up – Circulation pumps can freeze up if they are not used for a long time. A short run keeps them oiled and ready to work.
- Keeps valves working – A periodic cycle is also beneficial for zone valves or manifold actuators, as it helps prevent them from stopping.
- Moves water around – This prevents problems with stagnant water and helps keep barriers spread out.
Maintenance for electrical systems
However, if you have an electric underfloor heating system, the same rules don't apply.
"You don't need to turn on electric systems when they're not being used during the summer," confirm Gordon and Alan. "The parts don't move, so they don't face the same problems such as pumps failing or water standing still."
FAQs
How do I turn my UFH back on in autumn?
After a prolonged period of inactivity, a wet-based system takes a while to heat up, so you'll need to bear this in mind when deciding when to turn your UFH back on.
“If a system has been turned off for months, the floor slab will be at room temperature, which could be anywhere from 18°C to 22°C," explain Gordon and Alan. “It will therefore take a long time to heat this mass to a suitable working temperature, such as 24°C to 26°C floor surface temperature.
“It could take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, or even longer in a big room with poor insulation, to feel fully warm again," they warn.
However, it's important to exercise caution when switching your UFH back on they add.
“Don't turn your UFH back on at full blast when you do so after the summer. Instead, do it over the course of a day or two, slowly raising the set point. This prevents floor finishes from being damaged by sudden temperature changes, and allows the system to heat up more slowly and effectively.”
Are there any common problems to look out for after switching UFH back on?
“There are some things that can go wrong, mostly with wet systems," say Gordon and Alan. “Most of the time, this is caused by a temperature that isn't talking to the zone valve actuator properly, or a zone valve actuator that is stuck and hasn't moved after being idle.
“First, check the setting and battery of the thermostat. Then, check the actuator on the manifold manually," they suggest. “If there are cold spots on wet UFH when you turn it back on, this can also mean that air is stuck in a certain circuit. To sort this, the circuit will need to be bled at the trunk or the main system."
You may also encounter a lack of system pressure (on a wet UFH). "When the pressure gauge shows that the pressure is too low, you will need to repressurise the system according to the directions that came with your boiler or heat pump,” say Gordon and Alan.
Finally, if the system is not switching on (wet and electric), they suggest you, "check the main power supply (circuit breaker), make sure the central programmer is set properly, and make sure each thermostat is asking for heat.”
On a final note, if you’re thinking of installing underfloor heating, in a home renovation, take a look at overlay underfloor heating to see if this could be the best solution for your project.
