Underfloor Heating vs Radiators: Which Comes Out On Top?

There are many different ways to warm up a home. There are perhaps more ways than you might imagine, at least at first! Therefore, it’s always worth keeping an open mind. However, there are some systems which are likely to be more energy-efficient than others, and which are therefore likely to save you more money in the long run. But when it comes to underfloor heating vs radiators – which system or service is likely to come out on top in the end?

Before we take a look at the battle between underfloor heating or radiators, do make sure to consider your heating choices carefully. Not all systems are likely to benefit all homes, and if you would like to know more about water underfloor heating, we’re here to break things down for you.

Here’s a detailed breakdown on the main differences between radiators and underfloor heating, and why they matter in the long run.

Which System is More Cost-Efficient?

For many people, radiators might seem to be plenty efficient. There are modern radiator systems which heat up pretty quickly, and what’s more, standardised central heating has gotten more powerful over the years. However, there are a few drawbacks in this type of system which clearly put it behind underfloor heating.

Radiators will need to take time to fill up a room with heat. The heat you get from a radiator isn’t radiant. Therefore, you will often need to start up a radiator and leave it running for a while until things get up to full temperature. The bigger the room, too, the longer it will take to heat things up.

Underfloor heating, however, works on a radiant basis. All the heat you need comes from beneath your floorboards. It’s instantaneous, which means that you don’t have to wait for heating to power up on a cold morning.

This, of course, also makes underfloor heating more cost-effective. You spend less time actually powering up your heating, and that of course means that you pay less on your bills in the long run, too.

Which System Looks Best?

True – radiators do look sleeker and more refined nowadays than they used to, but let’s face it – they are still pretty awkward to have to look at and handle. When choosing underfloor heating or radiators, it is likely you are going to lean towards underfloor systems for sheer aesthetics alone.

Radiators can be very clunky and jut out at odd angles. They can actually take up more space than you might think. While you may be used to seeing radiators around the place, removing them is likely to add a whole new look to your home.

An underfloor heating system is invisible. That is, unless you actually take up the floorboards. Therefore, there is nothing for you to have to paint around when redecorating. Many people find that radiators are functional yet clumsy-looking. Therefore, it’s worth considering an underfloor option purely for taking the outdated looks out of the equation.

Which Offers More Comfort?

A radiator system might heat things up to a comfortable level after a while, however, this isn’t always beneficial. The type of heating you receive through radiators is actually likely to be less healthy than you might think. If you’ve ever worried about stuffiness, for example, it may be because your radiators are actively bringing down the humidity in your home.

This, of course, can lead to feelings of discomfort. Feeling stuffy and overwhelmed? Your radiators may be pumping out warmth that, while cosy, might actually be doing you more harm than good. Heating constantly on this basis, especially when things get too warm, could lead to breathing issues due to a lack of oxygen.

Radiant heat, such as that which you get through underfloor heating, actively keeps humidity at a healthy level. This means that there’s less chance of you feeling stuffy or gasping for breath. An underfloor heating system will also cut out when things get too warm or stuffy, meaning that you don’t have to worry about overheating or suffering from a lack of air.

Radiators can provide comfort, but thanks to the radiance of underfloor heating standards, this option wins through again.

Which is More Flexible?

If you’re paying attention to the battle between underfloor heating vs radiators so far, it’s likely that you’re seeing a pattern. However, let’s keep going. Radiators, you may think, are plenty flexible. You can control them through a central thermostat, which allows them to work autonomously on your behalf. However, this isn’t as flexible as your heating could – and should be.

Underfloor heating systems allow you to take things one step further. With a smart water-based system, you can set up specific zones in your home. This means that you can request a thermostat to heat up specific areas of your property at specific times. For example, you might want your bathroom to warm up at 8am before you head to work. You might also need your kitchen tiles to warm up between specific hours of the day.

This smart system is much more autonomous and flexible than the standards you will normally expect through radiators. This means that you can set them up to kick in as soon as the temperature drops below a specific level. The technology is more in tune with modern needs, and what’s more, it’s easier for you to set up and manage your zones through the central thermostat.

Underfloor Heating vs Radiators: Who Wins?

That’s a no-brainer – for saving money, increasing comfort and boosting flexibility, an underfloor heating system is always going to win out. While modern radiators are much more efficient than they used to be, it’s safe to say that an underfloor heating service is likely to be much more reliable and comfortable for the years to come. What’s more, you’ll save stacks of cash along the way.

Want to know more about underfloor heating standards? Stuck between underfloor heating or radiators for your new home? Let UFHS help you make a choice you can rely on.