Pros and Cons of Underfloor Heating: Is it right for you?

Choosing a new heating system can be a major step in any home build or renovation. To make the right choice, it’s important to have all the facts. In this blog, we explore the pros and cons of underfloor heating and how it compares to traditional radiators. We discuss various benefits of underfloor heating, like improved efficiency and comfort. We also look at the cons of the system, cost and installation time. Our goal is to provide a balanced overview to help you make the correct choice for your home.

Pros of underfloor heating

There are various advantages of installing underfloor heating in your home, improved efficiency and safety. We’ll cover these benefits, including some specific to each type.

Warms rooms evenly
UFH systems are more efficient at warming a room evenly compared to traditional radiator systems. Radiators heat the air around them first, often leaving rooms prone to cold spots. Underfloor heating warms the entire floor surface, providing consistent warmth and improved comfort.

Easy to run
Generally, underfloor heating requires very little maintenance once it’s up and running. Electric underfloor heating requires zero maintenance and comes with a lifetime warranty. Additionally, just about any system you order will come with a form of smart thermostat. This allows greater control, managing your system easily. Plus, most smart thermostat brands have apps for your iPhone or Android device so you can even control your heating when you are far from home.

Works with all floor types
Regardless of the type of floor already in your home, be it concrete, laminate, wood, tile or stone, rest assured that the underfloor heating system you choose will work with it.

Safety and comfort
Underfloor heating systems provide a significantly more comfortable and evenly spread warmth compared to traditional radiators. Moreover, UFH can contribute to better air quality by operating without the need for air movement, unlike traditional radiator systems, which can distribute dust and allergens throughout a room. This can result in several positive effects, including reduced airborne particles, minimised allergen distribution, and decreased mould growth.

Benefits of wet underfloor heating

Water UFH holds some key advantages over radiator and electric UFH. These include higher energy efficiency and compatibility with low-temperature heat sources. Find out more about the electric vs water underfloor heating.

Complete home solution
Installing wet can be a complete solution. A wet UFH system can be installed on the ground and first floor using varying methods. This allows you to create more space in your home with a design not focused on radiator position.

Energy efficient
A traditional radiator system operates at 65-75 °C with flow coming directly from your boiler. Wet underfloor heating operates at a much lower temperature, between 35-55°C. Water temperature is mixed using a blending valve, requiring a lower output from your boiler. This can result in lower energy bills, making your home more energy efficient.

Well-suited to low-temperature heat sources.
As described above, wet underfloor heating is the perfect partner for low-temperature heat sources. This can be paired with ground source and air source heat pumps, increasing the energy efficiency of your home.

Cons of underfloor heating

There are some drawbacks to installing UFH which also need to be considered.

Floor height
Many UFH solutions may require an increase in floor height, especially when installing in retrofit scenarios. Overlay systems can increase floor height by 20mm, which requires skirtings and doors to be adjusted. For electric UFH, consider the thickness of insulation boards, as these will also contribute to the floor height increase.

Response time
Unlike radiators, UFH doesn’t warm up quickly, meaning the effect on room temperature may take longer. UFH warms up the entire floor, which may include a thick screed layer, before the heat passes into the room above. On the other hand, UFH systems often hold heat for longer once warmed up.

Less effective in poorly insulated homes
Poor insulation may lead to higher heat loss, requiring a higher heat output from your heating system. As a wet UFH system is designed for lower water temperatures, and electric UFH isn’t typically suited for whole-house heating, UFH may not be suitable in some cases. A radiator may be required in areas where higher flow temperatures are needed.

Disadvantages of electric underfloor heating

There are a few disadvantages to installing electric UFH that you may want to consider before purchasing.

Running cost
Electric underfloor heating can be expensive to run, especially in larger areas. This is mostly because electricity is more expensive than gas per unit of energy.

Inefficient in large spaces
Electric systems are powered through the thermostat, which has a maximum switching current of 16 amps. This limits the electrical load the thermostat can safely control. The maximum size of heating mats depends on their power output. For example: up to 18 m² for a 200W/m² mat.

Disadvantages of wet underfloor heating

Again, wet UFH has some drawbacks which may be relevant to your installation. Find out more about wet underfloor heating the best system for your project.

Cost to install
Costs will vary depending on the system you decide to go for, plus you’ll need to take into account the hourly rates for either the plumber or the electrician. As a general rule, water-based systems are 2–3 times more expensive to install compared to electric systems and are usually fitted as part of a larger renovation or new build project.

Time to install
Typically, a water-based underfloor heating system can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete. Some screed systems may take longer due to curing time.

Slow heat-up time
Wet UFH systems can take longer to heat a room compared to radiators. As UFH heats the entire floor, it takes longer for the warmth to transfer into the room, especially if the system is embedded in screed. It can take 30 minutes to reach the desired temperature.

Is underfloor heating right for you?

Both electric and wet underfloor heating systems offer a range of benefits, from improved energy efficiency to enhanced comfort. These advantages can be key reasons to consider installing an UFH system in your home. By considering the potential downsides, such as installation time and response time, you can make the right choice based on your needs

If you’re unsure whether underfloor heating is right for you, get in touch. Our experts are always on hand to provide advice and help you choose the best solution for your home.