2,000 years of Underfloor Heating
Central heating has its origins in the hypocaust heating system introduced by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago.
The Romans developed floor raised on tile piers, heated by hot air circulating beneath it. It was first used by the Romans for baths about 100 BC, and was later introduced to private houses.
There were no such items as radiators in the Iron Age, but the Romans did manage to use a form of heating that was radical for its day. Hypocausts were a common feature of stone houses throughout the Roman Empire, but could not be used in timber-framed buildings. Typical house of a wealthy person would have one furnace heating several rooms. In larger houses there might be several such furnaces, and during the 1st century AD channels were built into walls and roofs in order to distribute heat more evenly around the building.
Up until the Romans arrived, the British only knew how to heat one room by using a fire. The danger from such a method of heating was not only from the materials in their homes, but also from the smoke that could become trapped and suffocate the dwellers through smoke inhalation.
From the 18th century, central heating, usually by pipe, was available in the West and installed in individual houses.
Underfloor heating (called radiant heat) is used in some houses, the heat coming from electric elements buried in the floor.
Due to the new building regulation Part L (Reduce energy loss and improve energy efficiency) good Insulation and underfloor heating replace some central heating.
The Romans developed floor raised on tile piers, heated by hot air circulating beneath it. It was first used by the Romans for baths about 100 BC, and was later introduced to private houses.
There were no such items as radiators in the Iron Age, but the Romans did manage to use a form of heating that was radical for its day. Hypocausts were a common feature of stone houses throughout the Roman Empire, but could not be used in timber-framed buildings. Typical house of a wealthy person would have one furnace heating several rooms. In larger houses there might be several such furnaces, and during the 1st century AD channels were built into walls and roofs in order to distribute heat more evenly around the building.
Up until the Romans arrived, the British only knew how to heat one room by using a fire. The danger from such a method of heating was not only from the materials in their homes, but also from the smoke that could become trapped and suffocate the dwellers through smoke inhalation.
From the 18th century, central heating, usually by pipe, was available in the West and installed in individual houses.
Underfloor heating (called radiant heat) is used in some houses, the heat coming from electric elements buried in the floor.
Due to the new building regulation Part L (Reduce energy loss and improve energy efficiency) good Insulation and underfloor heating replace some central heating.