Underfloor heating has gained in popularity over recent years and is far more widespread than 10 years ago. Although still considered a luxury feature, it’s far more affordable nowadays and a regular feature of designed home projects.
Many people see them as a real alternative to radiators as they are out of sight, can be controlled with wifi and thermostats, and can be installed under most floor coverings.
Is underfloor heating worth it?
Here we will look at the pros and cons
Pros
Energy efficiency. Traditional radiators found in most homes need to be heated to a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius to be effective in heating a room. Compare that to 29 degrees Celsius that underfloor heating needs to reach and it’s easy to see why underfloor heating is more energy efficient.
Avoid cold spots in the room. Radiators also heat the part of the room nearest to them first, due to the air flow, which means there may end up being cold spots in your rooms. You can avoid this with underfloor heating.
You can save money with underfloor heating. On average you can make a saving of 15% on energy bills and it’s better for the environment. Plus you get an even heat distribution in the room.
More floor space is available to you. Without a radiator taking up part of a wall, underfloor heating gives immediate space to the room. So you get more space and design freedom. Many times, radiators are installed on walls where it’s more convenient for the installer than the homeowner.
Low maintenance. Most underfloor heating systems come with a lifetime guarantee and there is minimal maintenance required.
Smart connectivity. To get the most out of your heating system, you can use also use smart wi-fi or programmable thermostats.
Compatibility. This system works with almost all types of floor covering so you can place laminate, carpet, tile, wood or stone any many other coverings on top.
It is safer. You get none of the usual safety issues associated with radiators such as touching hot surfaces, hard sharp edges making a collision hazard for members of the family.
Easy to install. Laying underfloor heating before any floor coverings are put down, as in a new build, is very simple to install.
Cons
Initial cost. The initial outlay on underfloor heating is generally higher than comparable radiator systems. Especially water-based systems with pipework and a greater depth to work.
Not good with poorly insulated houses. The heat generated by UFH is only slightly above what the required temperature of the room is set at. With poorly insulated houses much of the heat is lost through the walls and roof. So you may need a bigger system installed adding to both initial and running costs.
Can take several days to install. UFH such as the water based system will take longer, as will the need in some cases to screed the floor. Compare this to a gas central heating system which can be fully done within 2-3 days.
Retrofit may be costly. When laying UFH in older houses, there will be an extra cost of preparation work and lifting of existing floor coverings, skirting boards, etc. The current floor may also need to be excavated to maintain a good height from the ceiling. All this extra work will add to the cost of installation. The retrofit is best done when a major home renovation will be carried out.
Height issue. Some UFH systems can add considerable height to the floor. The thinner systems may not be powerful enough to heat your room. Some top-of-the-range UFH systems that are both thin and produce good heat can be quite costly.
Summary of underfloor heating
No heating system is perfect and underfloor heating is no exception. You get some disadvantages like the cost of installation, especially as a retrofit and they aren’t always good in draughty homes. However, it is an efficient and more cost effective form of heating once installed compared to radiators – whether gas or electric. They can suit various budgets, not get in the way and are generally low maintenance.
If you’ve got an old building underfloor heating is a great way of heating ( as long as the insulation is good) because it’s discrete and it heats large spaces and high ceilings very well and very comfortably. But you do need to beware of digging up original floors and destroying that essential fabric of the old building.
Most people install them in bathrooms and kitchens as they have tiled floors traditionally which feel cold in the winter months.
