The Pros and Cons of Electric Underfloor Heating 

Thinking about updating an older heating system to something more energy-efficient? Electric underfloor heating may be the perfect option. In this guide, we’ll explore both the advantages and disadvantages of electric floor heaters for all types of properties and projects, helping you decide if it’s right for you. You’ll discover: 

• What makes electric UFH particularly suitable for home refurbishments 
• How floor heating can reduce energy consumption  
• The ease-of-use of electric floor heaters  
• How to reduce the costs of electricity usage  
• How to specify floor heating systems for larger spaces 

What are the main advantages of electric floor heaters? 

Electric underfloor heating is a great way to bring sustianable warmth to homes and businesses. These systems utilise electric energy to discreetly heat a room from the ground up, without the requirement of cumbersome boilers and radiators and therefore helping to maximize a property’s sense of space. 

Electric UFH is ideal for home renovations 

Floor heaters are a great option for renovation projects. If you’re looking to update an existing heating system and don’t want to undertake intrusive building work, electric UFH offers a much simpler installation than central heating. The electric heating cables or heating mats can be laid under flooring quickly and with minimal disruption.  

The low-profile design of Warmup’s range of electric floor heaters mean that they will have little-to-no impact on floor heights; especially useful in home refurbishments where ceiling heights, door heights and window heights are fixed. Warmup also offer systems suitable for use with almost all floor types, including tiles, stone, vinyl, carpet and wood. The StickyMat System is a popular heater for retrofitting in bathrooms with tiled floors. It features an ultra-thin heating wire that is evenly spaced and taped to a mesh matting with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing so that it can be repositioned easily without losing adhesion and is available in a choice of 150 W/m² and 200 W/m² heat outputs. 

 A Warmup system utilises energy-saving technology  

Electric floor heating uses radiant heat technology to warm the people in objects in a room directly. This is a more energy-efficient method of heating, resulting in a more uniform temperature across the space whilst avoiding the presence of cold spots that are common with traditional heating systems like radiators. And, because these systems do not require fuel to produce warmth and because they don’t require pipework to transfer heat from the heat source to the heating system, no energy is lost during the heating process – providing 100% efficient direct electric heat with lower levels of energy consumption. 

To enhance the energy-saving capabilities of electric underfloor heating, it’s a great idea to control the system with a Smart thermostats that feature zoning capabilities. This allows you to control different rooms in a property independently, ensuring that you’re not heating rooms unnecessarily and helping you to further reduce energy consumption. All floor heaters should also be installed alongside insulation to reduce heat loss and maximize its performance.  

Want to save even more energy with electric floor heating? Some heaters are also compatible with solar PV systems; offering a zero-carbon heating solution for well-insulated homes powered by self-generated electricity. Our DCM-PRO Low Wattage System is compatible with solar energy and can provide dramatic long-term cost savings.  

Electric floor heaters provide automatic, maintenance-free heating 

Warmup underfloor heating allows you to control your heating from wherever you are. Using the MyHeating app gives your remote access to your heating system whilst offering automatic heat functionality: ensuring a home is always heated to the perfect temperature, at the right time for your needs, without having to set up a heating schedule. And, unlike other heating solutions that may need frequent servicing, electric underfloor heating systems also require very little maintenance. Once installed, a floor heater should provide a lifetime of warmth with no complications and all Warmup systems come with market-leading guarantees. You may also be able to enjoy the many benefits of Warmup Smartcare, our innovative heating support service that ensures your heating system is performing at its best whilst resolving most issues you could experience with your heating in a matter of minutes.  

Find out more about the low maintenance needs of electric heating in our informative article. 

Are there any considerations to make before purchasing electric UFH?  

As with any new home improvement purchase, it’s important to consider the upsides and downsides of electric floor heating before committing to specifying it for your upcoming project. Whilst these heating solutions may be perfect for one person’s needs, they may not suit the requirements of every project. 

Electricity can have high energy costs 

While electric systems are energy-efficient in terms of direct heat delivery, in many countries electric energy is more expensive than gas so the day-to-day operating costs can be higher. This is especially true when UFH is used to heat larger spaces over longer periods of time. So, it’s important to calculate these potential ongoing running costs before purchasing a new system.  

As discussed, a great way to skirt the costs of electricity usage is to install a solar powered-floor heating system. Learn more about the benefits of this technology in our useful guide.  

Electric floor heating is better for smaller spaces 

Electric systems are typically better suited as a secondary heating solution to be used in specific rooms alongside a property’s existing heating system. They are ideal for smaller spaces in a home where instantaneous heating is needed, such as bathrooms and kitchens, or in areas where the existing heat isn’t distributed well – such as those areas far from radiators or near external walls. Another concern for heating a larger space with electric UFH is that it might take a bit longer for the system to heat the space effectively and the more energy the system will need to heat the space, the more expensive it will cost to operate. 

If you’re looking for a primary heating solution for larger spaces or to heat a whole house, a water heating system will be more cost-effective in the long run. You could also combine electric underfloor heating with a water system to provide a multi-zonal heating solution; using electric heaters in smaller rooms whilst the water system heats the rest of the house. Read our expert article to find out more about the differences between water and electric UFH systems. 

Installing a new heating system can be expensive 

While installing an electric floor heater is significantly easier than fitting a central heating or water floor heating system, the upfront cost for materials and labour can still add up. This may be a concern if you have a tight renovation budget, so it’s worth getting a detailed quote to understand the total costs. The quicker the installation of the system, the cheaper the project will be, and Warmup’s Foil Heater can provide rapid installation times for projects with floating floor finishes. Ideal for use with wooden floors or carpeting, this system provides a ‘dry’ installation with no adhesive, screed or levelling compound needed – meaning its build-up is kept low and its installation time minimal 

Want to see how much a Warmup system will cost to buy? Use our simple online quoting tool to find out the precise cost of purchasing a complete system, including its controls and accompanying insulation materials.  

Is electric underfloor heating worth it for my home? 

With quick installation times and causing minimal impact to floor levels, electric underfloor heating is a fantastic choice for bringing energy-efficient, space-saving heat to a few rooms in a home renovation project. It’s especially well suited for creating a luxurious feeling in cold bathrooms when paired with stone or porcelain tiles. And, through the use of Smart controls, you can automatically alter the heating’s schedule based on your daily routines whilst saving money on your energy bills through this more conscious energy consumption.  

An electric floor heater offers unbeatable value-for-money, with some Warmup systems starting at around £54 /m² + VAT. Learn more about the costs of an electric system for your home in our in-depth guide.