Recent headlines have left many people asking the same question: is underfloor heating being banned in the UK?
The simple answer is no, underfloor heating is not being banned. What is happening is that the UK Government has consulted on updated Ecodesign rules for local space heating products. These proposals are designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce wasted energy and bring Great Britain more closely in line with updated EU standards.
Electric underfloor heating is included in the scope of the proposals, alongside products such as electric radiators, electric towel rails, gas stoves and other local space heaters. However, the proposals are about future product standards, not removing systems already installed in people’s homes.
In other words, if you already have underfloor heating, you do not need to rip it out. If you are planning a new installation, the focus will increasingly be on choosing efficient systems with the right controls.
Where has the underfloor heating “ban” story come from?
The recent discussion follows the UK Government’s consultation on updating standards for local space heating products. The consultation ran from 25 March 2026 to 20 May 2026, and the Government is currently analysing feedback.
The proposals aim to replace the current Ecodesign regulations for local space heaters with new standards. According to GOV.UK, the aims are to:
- Improve product efficiency
- Reduce energy demand and help cut bills
- Support a circular economy through repairability and product lifespan measures
The Government’s consultation document says the main proposals include increasing product efficiency standards, requiring product controls, and introducing circular economy and repair measures. You can read the full GOV.UK consultation here: Updating standards for local space heating products.
The story was also picked up in the national press, including The Telegraph, with headlines focusing on the potential restriction of heating products deemed too inefficient to continue being sold.
So, is underfloor heating actually being banned?
No. Underfloor heating itself is not being banned.
The proposed changes would affect the sale of new products that do not meet future minimum efficiency standards. Existing systems already installed in homes are not the target of these proposals.
The Government’s own documents refer to electric underfloor local space heaters as a product category and propose updated performance requirements for them. The draft regulations define an electric underfloor local space heater as an electric local space heater designed to be embedded in the building structure or finishing, including self-regulating heating cables and mats.
That means electric underfloor heating remains a recognised heating product category. The direction of travel is not “ban underfloor heating”; it is “raise the minimum standard for what can be sold”.
Does this affect wet underfloor heating?
The current local space heater proposals focus on products such as electric local space heaters, electric underfloor heating, towel rails and gas local space heaters. Wet underfloor heating systems are different, because they form part of a central heating system using warm water circulated through pipework.
Wet underfloor heating is not the focus of these proposed electric local space heater changes. In fact, water-based underfloor heating is often well suited to modern low-temperature heating systems, especially when paired with efficient boilers or heat pumps.
What could change for electric underfloor heating?
The biggest expected change is that lower-performing electric heating products may gradually disappear from the market if they do not meet the new standards.
The Government’s options assessment lists electric underfloor heating as one of the product types covered by the proposals and includes a proposed seasonal space heating energy efficiency threshold for electric underfloor local space heaters. It also suggests that a proportion of products currently on the market could be removed from sale if they do not meet the new requirements.
For homeowners, the practical takeaway is simple: future electric underfloor heating products are likely to place even greater emphasis on:
- Accurate temperature control
- Programmable thermostats
- Smart heating controls
- Low-power or standby modes
- Repairability and spare parts availability
- Better documentation and compliance information
This is not necessarily bad news. Better controls can help you heat the rooms you use, when you use them, rather than wasting energy unnecessarily.
Will I need to remove my existing underfloor heating?
No. Nothing in the proposals suggests homeowners will need to remove existing underfloor heating systems.
The proposed rules are aimed at products being placed on the market in future. If you already have electric underfloor heating installed, you can continue to use it as normal.
That said, if your current system uses very basic manual controls, this may be a good time to upgrade to a smarter thermostat. The ProWarm ProTouch iQ thermostat range gives you more control over comfort and running costs, with modern options designed for efficient underfloor heating management.
Why smart thermostats matter more than ever
One of the clearest themes in the proposed regulations is controllability. The future of electric heating is not just about the heating cable or mat itself. It is about the complete system: the heater, the thermostat, the sensor, the programming and how efficiently the room is managed.
Smart and programmable thermostats can help by allowing you to:
- Set heating schedules around your routine
- Control individual rooms or zones
- Avoid overheating rooms that are not in use
- Use floor sensors for more accurate control
- Make adjustments from your phone, depending on the thermostat model
For many homeowners, especially those fitting electric underfloor heating in a bathroom, kitchen, hallway or garden room, this is where the real efficiency gains can come from.
At The Underfloor Heating Store, we already offer the ProWarm ProTouch iQ thermostat range, including programmable and smart control options designed to help you get more from your underfloor heating system.
Should I still install electric underfloor heating?
Yes, electric underfloor heating remains a practical and popular option, particularly for smaller rooms and renovation projects.
Electric systems are commonly chosen for:
- Bathrooms and en-suites
- Kitchens
- Utility rooms
- Hallways
- Loft conversions
- Garden offices
- Retrofit projects where a wet system may be more disruptive
The key is to choose the right system for the room, install it with suitable insulation where appropriate, and pair it with an effective thermostat. A well-designed electric underfloor heating setup is very different from a poorly controlled heater left running for longer than needed.
If you are heating a larger area, a whole ground floor, an extension or a new build, it may also be worth comparing electric underfloor heating with water underfloor heating.
What does this mean for manual dial thermostats?
Basic manual dial thermostats have been popular for many years because they are simple and familiar. However, the direction of the proposed regulations is clearly towards better control, scheduling and energy optimisation.
While final rules have not yet been confirmed, the market is likely to move further away from basic manual temperature regulation and towards programmable and smart thermostat solutions.
For homeowners, this is a positive step. A thermostat that lets you schedule heating, manage room temperatures more accurately and reduce unnecessary run time can make your system easier to live with and more efficient to use.
What should homeowners do now?
If you already have underfloor heating, there is no need to panic. You do not need to remove it, and you do not need to stop using it.
If you are planning a new project, it is sensible to:
- Buy from The Underfloor Heating Store so you can choose compatible underfloor heating kits, thermostats and accessories with expert support available if you need it
- Use the correct system size for your room
- Install suitable insulation boards where recommended
- Choose a programmable or smart thermostat
- Keep product documentation for future reference
- Ask for technical advice if you are unsure which system is right for your home
You can browse our electric underfloor heating kits or speak to our team if you need help choosing the most suitable system for your project.
Final takeaway: efficiency rules, not an underfloor heating ban
The headlines may sound dramatic, but the reality is much more straightforward.
Underfloor heating is not being banned in the UK. The Government is looking at updated Ecodesign standards for local space heaters, including electric underfloor heating, so that future products meet higher efficiency and control requirements.
For homeowners, the message is reassuring: existing systems can stay, new systems will still be available, and the best way to future-proof your installation is to choose a well-designed underfloor heating system with modern controls.
As regulations develop, The Underfloor Heating Store will continue to monitor updates and work with suppliers to help ensure our products remain compliant, efficient and suitable for UK homes.
Useful references
- GOV.UK: Updating standards for local space heating products
- GOV.UK: Consultation document, accessible webpage
- GOV.UK: Options assessment for local space heaters
- Draft Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2026 PDF
- European Commission: New Ecodesign rules for local space heaters
- The Telegraph: Miliband comes for underfloor heating in net zero drive
- Ideal Home: Is underfloor heating going to be banned in the UK?
