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Electric slab heating
Electric slab heating uses electric cables embedded in a concrete slab floor to provide home
heating.
hat is electric slab heating?
lectric slab heating uses electric cables
mbedded in a concrete slab floor to provide home
eating. The slab stores the heat, and steadily
eleases it to provide continuous warmth to your
ome 24 hours a day.
hen using off-peak electricity, slab heating can
e an economical method of providing home
eating if set at a suitable temperature in a well-
nsulated home. In new homes, cables are laid
hen the slab is poured and testing is carried out
hroughout the pouring stage to ensure the cables
re not damaged. Where off-peak tariffs are
vailable, the system is charged overnight and
uring the afternoon. If the system is sized
orrectly, it will provide sufficient heat for
omfortable temperatures over a 24 hour period.
n afternoon boosting period is generally required
s overnight charging alone is insufficient to heat
ost homes.
ables may also be laid over an existing slab and
overed with a minimum of 20 mm of
ement/concrete screed. However, this system
perates on peak rate electricity, and so could
riple running costs. Structural and design aspects
hould also be considered with the increase in floor
eight.
lectric slab heating is not the same as under-
arpet heating. Under-carpet heating elements are
aid on top of the floor and run on the more
xpensive peak electricity rate.
lectric cables embedded in a concrete slab floor
Dos and don’ts
Do
› Switch the system on at the start of the heating
season (typically May to October) and simply
leave to run.
› Set and maintain the lowest comfortable
thermostat setting, and keep the system on this.
Every degree the thermostat is turned up adds
approximately 15% to your running costs.
› Install a zoned system and maintain appropriate
temperatures in each zone. 18°C is
recommended for living areas, and 16°C for
bedrooms. R