Underfloor heating in Extra care schemes

we have recently been trying to get the same feedback on this subject, we are about to develop a scheme and were being asked by the M&E designer to consider this method of heating. we have underfloor heating in 7 appartments that we have in a larger complex, this was used as the apartments were designed for people living with Dementia. we have experienced difficulties with the length of time that the system takes to heat uo and cool down, our clients expect a more immediate change and this has not been possible with this system.
we tried to get some more views on this but found ti difficult to get a consistent message on this, based on this we have reverted to fitting a low temp radiator system in the apartments but using underfloor heating in the communal areas.

Hi Rodger
In Sunderland we have four extra care schemes with underfloor gas heating. Each apartment has a thermostat in each room to enable people to control the temp in their apartment / rooms - this seems to work really well and is an economical heating system.

The communal areas are controlled by thermostat - this needs to be monitored based upon the amount of natural lighting coming into the communal spaces - heat generated by the natural light.

I am not aware of the leg swelling / foot swelling issues you have outlined within any of our schemes. The thermostats per room , per apartment seems to resolve this issue. However, having spent time in the schemes, the underfloor heating in communal araes can make your feet really hot, particularly if the thermostats are set in communal areas and not monitored. Often this can be amended by adjusting the setting.

Hope this helps
Anne

We have recently been trying to get the same feedback on this subject, we are about to develop a scheme and were being asked by the M&E designer to consider this method of heating. We have underfloor heating in 7 appartments that we have in a larger complex, this was used as the apartments were designed for people living with Dementia. We have experienced difficulties with the length of time that the system takes to heat up and cool down, our clients expect a more immediate change and this has not been possible with this system.
We have tried to get some more views on this but found it difficult to get a consistent message on this, based on this we have reverted to fitting a low temp radiator system in the apartments but using underfloor heating in the communal areas.

We were looking at the option of underfloor heatnig in communal areas and radiators in the appartments. However as some of the flats are going to be for sale we wanted to avoid an instutional look that the low temp radiators can give. Also having radiators does restrict where people can put furniture.
The underfloor heating does seem far more economical which is also an attraction.

Just to add to the mix - we're considering skirting heating as opposed to underfloor - partly due to space but also in terms of providing an even heat.

Does anyone have any experience of this technology?

Attached a brochure for anyone that's interested in how it works.

Hi
We have a mix in ECH in NY (15 schemes operational to date). I have heard the same risk of leg swelling etc but understand this happens with 'dry' systems rather than wet underfloor systems. Our feedback is that people find it economical but also like the fact that they can use all the walls for furniture placement as there are no rads or storage heaters to work around. The ability to control individual room temperature is vital.

Juliette