Underfloor Heating in Different Rooms: Best Practice and Top Tips

Article Date: 25 September 2024

Underfloor heating is becoming far more common in the UK. When considering your home heating options, underfloor heating has benefits over traditional radiators. 

Radiators heat rooms through convection, creating hot and cold spots. Underfloor heating provides consistent warmth from the ground up. This enhances comfort and can reduce energy consumption by up to 15-20%. Energy is saved as the system operates at lower temperatures while delivering the same level of warmth. 

Underfloor heating is versatile, and there is a type suitable for almost any room or requirement. 

This guide will explore how underfloor heating performs in different rooms of your home, helping you decide how to implement state-of-the-art heating. 

Types of Underfloor Heating

Homeowners typically choose between two main systems: wet (hydronic) and dry (electric) underfloor heating. Understanding the differences between these is crucial for making the right choice for your house.

Hydronic Underfloor Heating

Wet underfloor heating systems circulate warm water through a network of pipes under your floor. These pipes are connected to your home's boiler or heat pump. The water's temperature is maintained between 40-60°C. This makes them more cost-effective than traditional radiators. 

These systems are especially efficient when paired with modern heat pumps, making them an environmentally friendly choice for whole-house heating.

Wet systems do require careful planning. The installation process involves raising floor levels for pipes and insulation. While the initial installation cost is higher, the long-term energy savings justify the investment, particularly in new builds.

Electric Underfloor Heating 

Electric systems use heating mats installed under your floor. They are popular for their lower upfront costs and straightforward installation, making them a popular choice for renovations.

They heat up quickly, making them ideal for rooms used sporadically, like a guest room. They are better suited as supplementary heating rather than a whole-house solution.

Room by Room Heating

Living Rooms

For living rooms and open-plan spaces, wet underfloor heating is the winner.

Wet underfloor heating is more cost-effective in frequently used rooms with higher ceilings. Electric underfloor systems may struggle in rooms bigger than 25m².

Despite the higher initial investment, wet system's performance and lower running costs make it the winner for large rooms.

Top Tips

• Choose Appropriate Flooring: To enhance heat transfer, choose materials with good thermal conductivity, such as engineered wood or tiles. 
• Ensure Insulation: A well-insulated subfloor prevents heat loss, improving system efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
• Smart Thermostat Integration: These allow for scheduled heating, maintaining temperatures and aligning with daily routines.

Kitchens

For kitchens, wet underfloor heating is the recommended choice.

Wet systems handle heavy appliances better and provide more consistent heating under tiled floors than electric systems, which can be damaged under heavy loads and may create uneven heating in larger kitchen spaces.

Wet underfloor heating is ideal for kitchens typically ranging from 15-30m². Its ability to maintain steady temperatures and work efficiently with stone or tile flooring makes it ideal.

Top Tips:

• Plan Layout: To prevent overheating avoid installing heating pipes under fixed units and appliances to prevent overheating.
• Choose Suitable Flooring: To maximise heat transfer and withstand kitchen conditions go for durable, heat-conductive materials like ceramic or porcelain tiles.

Bathrooms

For bathrooms, electric underfloor heating is typically the better choice.

Electric systems heat up faster and are less complex to install than wet systems. These systems often require excessive floor height and can be complex to integrate with existing plumbing. For bathrooms sized 3-9m², the installation cost and complexity of a wet system rarely justifies the minimal running cost savings.

Electric systems' minimal floor requirement of just 4-8mm height makes them more practical when retrofitting a bathroom.

However, the larger your bathroom, the more cost-effective it would be to install a wet system, so take the size of your room into account when making your decision. 

Top Tips

• Select Moisture-Resistant Flooring: Choose materials like porcelain or ceramic tiles that are moisture-resistant and have good thermal conductivity.
• Ensure Proper Waterproofing: Implement waterproofing measures to protect the subfloor and heating system from water damage so your system stands up to the test of time and is safe.

Bedrooms

The choice between wet and electric underfloor heating for bedrooms depends on several factors, but wet systems just about win out.

Wet underfloor heating is ideal for ground-floor bedrooms. They provide consistent, gentle warmth for a comfortable sleeping environment, are nearly silent, leaving you undisturbed during rest. 

When retrofitting individual bedrooms, particularly on upper floors, electric systems offer easier installation and lower disruption compared to wet underfloor heating, which may need structural alterations.

Top Tips

• Consider Usage: Match the system to your heating schedule - electric for occasional use, wet for constant warmth. 
• Insulation Matters: Ensure proper floor insulation to maximise efficiency, especially for upstairs installations. 
• Floor Coverings: Carpet thickness (combined tog rating should not exceed 2.5) or engineered wood flooring.

Hallways 

Wet underfloor heating is the recommended choice for hallways.

Wet systems provide consistent temperature in these transitional spaces compared to electric systems, which can struggle with high foot traffic. 

Top Tips: 

• Entrance Planning: Install additional pipe loops near external doors to combat cold spots. 
• Traffic Paths: Configure pipe layouts to provide extra warmth along main walking routes. 

Conservatories 

For conservatories, wet underfloor heating is the clear winner.

Wet systems provide better temperature regulation in these glass-heavy spaces compared to electric systems, which may struggle with heat loss and temperature fluctuations. Wet systems offer more efficient heating and better temperature stability throughout the year, making your conservatory enticing, even during the winter months.

Top Tips:

• Seasonal Settings: Program different temperature profiles for summer and winter months.
• Solar Gain: Install UV sensors to adjust heating based on natural sunlight levels.
• Humidity Control: Include a humidity sensor to prevent condensation in winter months.

Conclusion

Whether you're planning a new build, renovation, or single-room upgrade, choosing the right underfloor heating system is crucial.

Wet underfloor heating is the best choice for larger spaces and whole-house installations, particularly in living rooms, kitchens, and conservatories. Consistent heating and lower running costs justify the higher initial investment. 

Electric systems are more practical for smaller spaces like bathrooms or when retrofitting individual rooms, especially upstairs.

The key to success lies in careful planning - think of your room size, usage patterns, floor heights, and integration with existing heating systems. 

While the initial investment might be higher than traditional radiators, the long-term benefits make underfloor heating an excellent choice for modern homes.

Contact our team today to discuss the best underfloor heating solution for your specific needs.