Underfloor Heating Pros And Cons

Underfloor heating is a highly effective method for heating your home or business and serves as a strong competitor to radiators and other central heating systems. In recent years, underfloor heating systems have gained popularity due to the fact that they are cheaper to run. With rising energy costs and the effects of greenhouse emissions on the environment, there is a driving factor in the overall quest for cleaner and cheaper heating solutions.

However, despite its many advantages, underfloor heating does have a few drawbacks. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of underfloor heating.

Pros of Underfloor Heating

There are several advantages of underfloor heating that make it the best solution to heat your home. This innovative heating solution not only provides unparalleled comfort but also offers a range of benefits that enhance your overall living experience.

Energy efficiency

With an underfloor heating system, the air above the floor level is heated to an equal temperature of around 29°C or less. It also rises at an equal speed, eliminating any cold spots. There is also a continuous flow of warm air that rises steadily while the system is on. A radiator system on the other hand, has to heat up to an average of 70°C and then project heat out into a room leaving areas nearest the radiator warm and other areas much cooler. It's quite common that a radiator is placed under a window that can unfortunately account for major heat loss.

Cheaper running costs

Underfloor heating operates at a lower temperature and so the most immediate benefit of underfloor heating is the substantial saving on heating costs. This can be as much as 40% when compared to traditional heating systems such as a gas or electric boiler with radiators. This fact should adequately answer the most common questions relating to underfloor heating cost especially, ‘is underfloor heating worth it?’

Here are some figures at a glance:

• Typical installation costs for a new build for £2300 to £6500
• Typical installation costs for a retrofit are £4000 to £11000
• For heating under tiled floors, you can expect to pay around £50m2 to £75m2
• For heating under tiled floors, you can expect to pay around £50m2 to £75m2
• For underfloor heating under carpets, vinyl and laminate costs are around 28p per hour

More space and design freedom

One of the key benefits of underfloor heating is the elimination of intrusive and aesthetically unappealing radiators. Without the need for wall-mounted radiators, you gain more wall-to-wall space, providing greater flexibility in arranging your furniture and fittings. This freedom allows you to design your interiors exactly how you envision them, without the constraint of accommodating radiators. Moreover, redecorating becomes much simpler and more efficient, as you don't have to work around bulky radiators. The open, uncluttered space not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your rooms but also optimizes the use of available space, creating a more harmonious and functional living environment.

Works with all floor coverings

Whether your current or preferred choice of floor covering is carpet, tiles, stone or wood, underfloor heating will work with all types of floor coverings, ensuring no room will be left behind from its radiant warmth.

Electric underfloor heating offers versatile options tailored to different flooring materials. Underfloor heating mats are particularly well-suited for tiled floors, providing even heat distribution that enhances the comfort and feel of the tiles. For wood, carpet, and vinyl floors, foil underfloor heating is an excellent choice, delivering efficient warmth while being gentle on these more delicate surfaces.

In contrast, water-based underfloor heating systems offer universal compatibility, working effectively with all types of floor coverings. This adaptability makes water underfloor heating a highly versatile solution, ensuring consistent and efficient heating regardless of the flooring material in use.

Allergy friendly and child safe

Underfloor heating is completely inconspicuous and unlike radiators, there are no hot surfaces to worry about, especially when young children are playing in a room. Gently rising warm air that is generated from a underfloor heating system is also beneficial to those with allergies and breathing conditions such as asthma, thanks to the lower temperature making breathing more comfortable. Unlike radiators, underfloor heating also does not circulate dust, therefore helping to eliminate dust mites in your home.

Easy to install

With underfloor heating, there are two types of underfloor heating systems to consider - electric and water-based systems. Whilst water-based systems tend to be seen as beyond the skill of most DIY enthusiasts, an electric underfloor heating is relatively much easier to install and can be performed in under half an hour. It is recommended to involve a qualified electrician for the electrical connections during installation to ensure safety. All of our underfloor heating systems have full-colour instructions and links to installation videos as standard.

Even heat distribution

One of the most significant benefits of underfloor heating is its ability to provide even heat distribution throughout a room. Unlike traditional radiators, which concentrate heat in a single area, underfloor heating systems spread warmth uniformly across the entirely floor surface. This method eliminates cold spots and creates a more consistent and comfortable environment. As heat rises from the floor, it evenly permeates the space, ensuring that every corner of the room maintains a stable temperature. This efficient distribution not only enhances comfort but also reduces energy consumption, as the system operates at lower temperatures whilst achieving the more desired warmth.

Cons of Underfloor Heating

Whilst underfloor heating has several advantages, there are some disadvantages of underfloor heating that must be carefully considered to determine whether underfloor heating is the most suitable option for your specific needs and circumstances. Understanding both the benefits and limitations of this heating method is essential for making an informed decision that ensures comfort, efficiency, and practicality in your home or business.

Installation cost and time

If you need to get a professional to install your new underfloor heating system then there are the initial installation costs to consider. First, the cost of the system parts and second, labour costs. The more rooms you require to be fitted with underfloor heating then obviously the more costly it will be.

Most complete electric underfloor heating systems can be installed within a few days, with a single room taking on average, about a day. However, during installation, you can expect some upheaval as existing floor coverings will need to be lifted and then refitted, which can add to the overall time of job completion.

Raised floor height

In some cases, there is the issue of floor heights being altered in order to accommodate the heating mats. This usually only applies to tiled floors, where the mat has to be positioned directly beneath the tiles or between tiles and a concrete subfloor. When you consider that it’s also highly recommended to include insulation with a retrofit underfloor heating system, this can raise the floor by around 9-12mm.

Heat up time

Underfloor heating has an extended heat-up time that is slightly longer than a traditional heating system that can quickly warm up a room. This slower response time can be inconvenient, particularly in situations where immediate warmth is needed. This delay is down to the time required for heat to radiate through the floor and permeate the room. Consequently, underfloor heating systems may require more advanced planning and programming to ensure the space is comfortably warm when needed, which can be less flexible compared to other heating methods.

Ease of repair

Unlike traditional heating systems that are above the surface, underfloor heating systems are embedded beneath the flooring. This makes diagnosing and fixing issues more challenging and time-consuming. Repairing or replacing parts that may have been drilled through, for instance, would often require lifting or removing sections of the floor.

Is underfloor heating worth it?

For many people, underfloor heating is worth it. In the long term, it will save you money through energy efficiency and it’s kinder to the environment too. It is best considered as an investment because over time, like any investment, you will reap the financial benefits. Having underfloor heating installed also makes your property more desirable should you wish to sell it.

There are many benefits to underfloor heating systems over costly and traditionally high carbon-producing boiler and radiator systems. And the benefits far outweigh the initial installation costs. We have outlined all the pros and cons for your consideration but if you need more detailed information then check out our Electric underfloor heating web page. You can also find some useful information about Water underfloor heating.