We have over a decade of experience at The Underfloor Heating Company, to share the pros and cons of underfloor heating systems – for both wet and dry systems.

Floor heating feels lovely on your feet, reduces the likelihood of dust allergies – and you can use a timer to keep the heating setting fairly low and still feel the benefit. In new builds, underfloor heating is a doddle to install (and in some buildings – they’re a necessity because they’re energy efficient).

Above: Underfloor heating helps to save space and recoup money on your heating bills.

The pros and cons of underfloor heating boil down (forgive the pun) to four considerations:

1. How you use the spaces you heat up (for example, you may need the heat in the morning and at night in the winter, or, at consistent temperature all day)
2. The spaces themselves – this could be your home, commercial or for industrial renovation and installation
3. Energy efficiency goals (e.g. you might desire a higher EPC rating for your project, or save money on bills)
4. Price of underfloor heating and your bill savings goals over the long term (5 years+)

It can feel like luxury to even have underfloor heating. But, with increasing pressure for properties to become more energy efficient, maybe now really is the right time to ditch the radiator and switch to something more sustainable, and cost-effective.

Perhaps – you’re looking for ways to warm up tiles and stones quickly and efficiently for bathrooms and kitchens. But for much older buildings, you might want to think carefully about the flooring you already have, and what this entails for you as a build project for a new radiant system under those floors themselves.

What are the Pros of Underfloor Heating?

• Even warmth: Heat is distributed through a room evenly, keeping temperature consistent
• Green heating: consistent temperature stops energy being wasted
• Save money on bills in the long term: a consistent temperature = less heat wastage
• Usually very easy to retrofit
• Floors stay warm: toasty once heated up, even at a low temperature
• Great for dust allergies: warmer floor temperature discourages dust from ‘breeding’
• One heater, one floor space = just 1 underfloor heater, even if the room or space is in an awkward shape
• Saves space in a room
• May increase the value of your home if you’re looking to sell
• Almost any floor will work with underfloor heating – laminate, wood, carpet, stone, tile, vinyl, concrete/in-screed

What are the Cons of Underfloor Heating?

• Trickier to add in very old buildings – but can be easy enough done with professional installers and the best kit for the job
• Remebering to time your heating so that the room is warm when you want it to be
• You have to be in it for the long haul when recouping the investment made

So as you can see, there are quite a few things to consider.

It’s best to consider what it is specifically you need underfloor heating to achieve – then take the plunge, and remember, almost any floor will work with underfloor heating!