| Off peak electricity benefits |
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What’s the benefit in using off peak electricity? Using off peak electricity is suited to an ‘in slab’ storage system. This is effective in climatic regions which experience severe and long winters. The system relies on proper insulation to help contain the heat in the concrete slab powered by off-peak power in the evening. The stored heat then gently radiates and keeps the room warm during the day. This storage form of heating is not generally suited for Australian climatic conditions as compared to Europe whose winters are severe and long. It is not uncommon for Australia to experience variable temperatures through the winter months which results in heat not being available when needed. What does suit our climate best is an above slab system. The close proximity of the heating cable to the floor surface does not focus of heating a slab, rather the surface of the floor which then acts as a radiator to heat the room’s occupants. Comfort levels between these types of systems are comparable, and benefits of above the slab heating systems include better control of heat and running costs since rooms not in use can be turned down or off. Response times vary from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Although connected to domestic power, because above the slab heating systems do not use as much energy (between 80-100W/psqm as compared to in-slab 160-200W/psqm), running costs of an above slab heating system is often comparable to an in-slab storage system over a winter period. In summary, off-peak electricity may offer an economic floor heating option for homes and buildings built in climatic regions that experience cold and severe winters (example Snowy Mountains in Australia). For homes and buildings elsewhere, above the slab floor heating systems connected to domestic power offers an economic and controllable floor heating solution. < Back to Floor Heating FAQ |