Planning your underfloor heating system
When planning for an underfloor heating system, there’s much to consider.
Is underfloor heating a better option than traditional radiators? Should you opt for a wet or dry underfloor heating system? And crucially, how much does it all cost?
We cover all these key questions and more, helping you to make an informed decision to suit the needs of you and your home.
What is an underfloor heating system and why choose one?
Underfloor heating is an alternative way of heating internal rooms by installing a network of pipes (for a wet system) or cables (for an electric system) underneath the surface of the floor. The pipes or cables generate heat that rises from the floor and warms the room above.
The benefits of underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is a cleaner, smarter, safer, and more energy-efficient way of heating your home compared with traditional radiators.
It also creates a more consistent and even temperature throughout the home, whereas radiators can be scalding to the touch but the middle of the room still feels cool.
Underfloor heating has the added benefit of being able to keep the thermostat lower than it would be with radiators, not needing such a high temperature to heat a room effectively.
Are there any downsides to underfloor heating?
As with any home improvement project, it’s important to research both sides. While there are plenty of attractive benefits to underfloor heating systems, they do have one or two downsides.
Firstly, the cost of underfloor heating can be substantially more than the cost of radiators, for example. And, depending on the type of system you choose, the installation time can be a good few days, which will crank up the labour costs.
Another factor to consider is floor height. In a new build property, this isn’t so much of an issue. However, if you’re retrofitting underfloor heating, it’s important to speak with an experienced installer. They’ll be able to advise on the best system depth and insulation thickness when you have fixed ceiling heights to work with.
Underfloor heating design and layout
Working with a qualified heating engineer will ensure your underfloor heating layout and design is expertly calculated for optimal heat transfer.
Akin to how a plumber will calculate the size and number of radiators needed to effectively heat a room, an underfloor heating specialist will ensure the system being installed is sufficient for the area being heated.
Your underfloor heating installer will size the system based on your room dimensions, the heat losses and the amount of heat required for each room.
Depending on the type of system, they will also look at the water flow temperature, the pipe spacing, the manifold location, and the number of circuits required. From this, an underfloor heating plan will be created, ready for installation.
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Types of underfloor heating
When considering your underfloor heating options, you’ll find there are two main types of underfloor heating systems:
1. Electric underfloor heating (a dry system)
An electric underfloor heating system is made up of mats embedded with heated cables with heating wires connected to the mains electricity supply.
A dry system is cheaper to buy and easier to install than a wet system. However, electricity is expensive, so electric underfloor heating is more costly to run.
For this reason, many homeowners opt for electric underfloor heating in smaller rooms such as bathrooms.
2. Hydronic underfloor heating (a wet system)
A wet underfloor heating system is made up of a series of flexible pipes held in place by plastic clips. The pipes are connected to a device called a manifold, which is connected to the boiler and heating system.
A wet system is more expensive to buy and can be trickier to install than a dry system, especially if it’s being retrofitted in a property. However, it is a more efficient system and will be cheaper to run long-term.
For this reason, it’s often a more popular choice in new build homes, where it can be installed before the floors are laid.
Choosing the best underfloor heating type for your needs
There are four key factors to consider when selecting the best underfloor heating type for your needs:
1. Room size
Electricity is expensive. Therefore, the larger the room, the more costly your electric underfloor heating will be to run. For this reason, wet systems are often better for bigger rooms.
2. Fuel type
Wet underfloor heating can only be installed with gas/LPG central heating, solar panels, or a heat pump.
3. Ease of installation
If retrofitting underfloor heating, a dry system is easier and less expensive to install. A wet system, however, is better suited to new build homes.
4. Insulation
Regardless of which system you choose, you must ensure your home is well-insulated to feel the benefits of your underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating installation
A professional underfloor heating contractor will be able to advise on the most suitable system for your home.
Even with an electric system, it might be that mats aren’t suitable, and a cable-based system is a better choice, in a tricky nook, for example.
An experienced installer will also be able to share underfloor heating ideas and expertise to make sure you select the best option given your fixed ceiling heights, helping to minimise the disruption to the existing floor level.
Plus, they’ll consider the amount of insulation needed and the most suitable system type/wattage depending on your flooring type, thickness, thermal conductivity, the size of the room, and your heating needs.
All-in-all, there are many considerations when installing underfloor heating; expertise is invaluable in ensuring your system is designed for optimal heat transfer.
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How to fit underfloor heating
We always recommend contacting a specialist underfloor heating contractor to install your system. However, if you’re curious to understand the process, take a look at our guide on how to install underfloor heating. This covers the process for fitting both types of underfloor heating systems (wet and dry).
Do remember, that a Gas Safe registered engineer is the only person who can connect a wet system to a gas boiler, although a qualified heating engineer can complete the rest of the installation. For an electric system, you’ll need a qualified electrician to connect it to the mains supply.
What’s the best way to use underfloor heating?
The best way to use underfloor heating is to leave the system running continuously through the colder months, using the thermostats in the room to achieve the desired temperature.
When you go out, or during the night, turn the temperature down rather than switching the system off.
This is considered a more efficient way to use underfloor heating, consuming less energy than turning the whole system on and off as and when needed. Your home will heat up to a comfortable temperature more quickly too.
With smart thermostats and programmable controls, you’ll have full control over the temperature within each room, offering greater efficiency, convenience, and comfort.
Ongoing maintenance
Even though underfloor heating requires very little maintenance, it’s still advisable to have a service once a year by an underfloor heating specialist.
How much does underfloor heating cost?
When planning for your underfloor heating system, a big consideration is likely to be around cost. However, as well as weighing up the installation cost of underfloor heating, there are also the running costs and the potential cost savings on energy bills to factor in.
Installation costs for underfloor heating
Electric underfloor heating cost
- New build install: £50 - £75 per m²
- Renovation property: £60 - £85 per m²
Wet underfloor heating system cost
- New build install: £85 - £100 per m²
- Renovation property: £95 - £110 per m²
As a comparison, the average cost of installing a gas central heating system with radiators is around £3,000 (depending on the size of the property and the number of radiators needed). Please read our guides on the cost to remove and replace a radiator and central heating installation for more information.
Running costs for underfloor heating
On average, expect to pay around £2.90 per hour to run an electric underfloor heating system. This compares to around £2.10 per hour for a water-based system.
Comparatively, it costs around £2.10 per hour, on average, to run a gas central heating system with radiators.
Cost savings compared to traditional heating systems
Generally speaking, underfloor heating is more expensive to install than radiators. However, it is often a more energy-efficient way of heating your home (especially if you opt for a wet system), which can result in lower bills in the long run.
For more detailed information on the cost of underfloor heating, check out our underfloor heating cost guide.
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Find an underfloor heating systems expert near you
Underfloor heating systems are a sleek, energy-efficient way of heating your home, spreading even and consistent warmth across the room.
Although the cost of this type of heating system is typically higher than that of radiators, underfloor heating will likely save you money on your energy bills long-term.
To find an experienced underfloor heating installer in your area, search your postcode below.
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