Best Underfloor Heating: Complete guide to choosing the perfect system

Underfloor heating has gained popularity in the past decade for its ability to provide consistent warmth, energy and efficiency whilst seamlessly integrating within your home or business. If you're looking to upgrade your home or office comfort, you might be wondering: what is the best underfloor heating system? In this guide, we'll explore the top options available for you for underfloor heating, their associated benefits and how to choose the best one for your needs.

What is underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating is a room heating system that is installed beneath your floor to evenly distribute heat across a room. Unlike radiators, underfloor heating works by warming the floor and air from the ground up, providing comfortable, radiant warmth without the fear of cold spots.

Why choose underfloor heating?

1. Even heating - underfloor heating ensures a more consistent temperature throughout a room
2. Energy efficiency - underfloor heating systems often use lower water temperatures or electrical output, saving on energy cost, when compared with more traditional home heating systems
3. Space-saving - without radiators taking up wall space, you'll have more space for furniture or design features in your home or business
4. Improved air quality - underfloor heating doesn't circulate air like radiators, leading to reduced dust and allergens throughout your home

Types of underfloor heating systems

 When choosing the best underfloor heating system for your home or business, it'll all depend on a whole host of factors such as room layout, budget and energy preferences. There are two main types of underfloor heating: electric underfloor heating and water underfloor heating.

Electric underfloor heating

Electric underfloor heating uses standalone electric cables or a mat with an embedded electric cable that is installed beneath your floor to generate heat. These systems are ideal for smaller areas or renovations, such as in a bathroom, where installing a water-based system might be feasible.

Advantages of electric underfloor heating:

• Easy installation
• Quick to heat up
• Suitable for a variety of flooring types, with systems for tile, wood, laminate and even carpet

Disadvantages of electric underfloor heating:

• Higher running costs when compared to water systems
• Better for smaller rooms or occasional use

Water underfloor heating

Water underfloor heating, sometimes known as wet underfloor heating uses warm water circulated through pipes beneath the floor. This system is typically connected to a boiler or a heat pump (for renewable energy) which tends to make it much more energy-efficient for larger spaces.

Advantages of water underfloor heating:

• Lower long-term running costs
• Highly energy-efficient, particularly when paired with a heat pump
• Ideal for whole-home heating

Disadvantages of water underfloor heating:

• More complex and costly to initially install, particularly in existing homes
• Longer warm-up times when compared with electric underfloor heating

What flooring is best for underfloor heating?

Certain floor coverings work better with underfloor heating due to its thermal conductivity and ability to let heat radiate through to the room above. Some of the best options are:

• Tile and stone - these are the most efficient materials for underfloor heating as they're great at conducting and retaining heat well.
• Wood - this floor type is compatible with underfloor heating but requires proper insulation to prevent heat loss, as well as an overlay system to ensure proper functioning of the system.
• Vinyl - some vinyl flooring is suitable for underfloor heating, but it is advised to check the manufacturer's recommendations for compatibility.
• Carpet - carpet can be used with underfloor heating, but the carpet must be thin and have a low tog value to ensure heat can transfer from the system through the carpet and into your room.

How to choose the best underfloor heating system?

To find the best underfloor heating system for you and your project, consider the following points:

1. Room size - for larger rooms and floor plans, water underfloor heating is the most cost effective solution in the long term, as electric systems are better suited to smaller rooms such as a bathroom.
2. Energy efficiency - for the most energy efficient system, water systems will be your go-to and running costs are lower than electric, and can be exceedingly minimal when paired with an air source heat pump.
3. Installation costs - for the cheapest installation, electric underfloor heating will be your friend, these systems are cheap to purchase and install. Water systems on the other hand cost more upfront but can save money on energy bills over time.
4. Floor type - ensure your floor covering is compatible with underfloor heating before delving into purchasing a system. High thermal conductivity materials like tiles are the most efficient, while carpet requires considered attention.

Best brands for underfloor heating systems

When looking for the best underfloor heating brands to go with, it's important to consider reliability, length of warranty and customer support. Here are some of our top-rated options:

1. ProWarm: A trusted brand in electric and water-based underfloor heating, ProWarm is known for its easy-to-install systems and reliable performance. With a lifetime warranty on all systems, a free underfloor heating quote and CAD design, as well as unlimited free technical support, ProWarm is a great choice for both residential and commercial projects.
2. Warmup: Founded in 1994, this award-winning heating solution specialises in energy-efficient electric and water systems. Many of their systems offer a limited lifetime warranty, as well as a technical helpline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. Floorwarmers: For affordable electric and water underfloor heating systems, Floorwarmers is the ultimate cost-effective solution, providing reliable year-round comfort and heat to your home. With a 25 year warranty policy, you can rest assured that Floorwarmers will be there for your system if anything goes wrong.