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Understanding the Pros and Cons of Underfloor Heating  

modern white kitchen

Utilising innovative radiant heat technology, underfloor heating offers a more energy-efficient method of heating compared to traditional options. However, we understand that you may have questions and concerns about whether a new floor heating system is the right heating solution for your home. In this expert guide, we’ll review the pros and cons of underfloor heating, helping you to make an informed decision. You’ll learn more about: 

  • How the increased energy-efficiency of UFH can save you money 
  • The ease of controlling a system 
  • The freedom of design a new floor heating system will provide for your home 
  • Underfloor heating’s flexibility, safety and ease of installation 
  • The potential downsides of UFH, including the costs involved and its impact on floor heights 

What are the pros of floor heating? 

There are two types of floor heating systems for you to choose between: electric floor heaters are great for single-room renovation projects whilst water-based systems are ideal for installation within larger spaces and new-build projects. Both system types provide consistent, energy-saving warmth by gently warming the people and objects in the room directly, from the ground up. Want to learn more about underfloor heating’s many benefits? Let’s look at the positives of this heating solution for your home.  

1. Energy-efficient warmth for your home 

Traditional radiators need to be heated to a high temperature (between 65-75 degrees Celsius) in order to heat up a room effectively, whereas floor heating only needs to run at a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius or less in order to heat the room, whilst still providing the same level of comfort.  

Furthermore, as radiators only focus on heating the air of a space, centrally-heated rooms are prone to “cold spots”, meaning that the air feels cold in the middle of the room and very hot next to the radiators. The radiant technology of underfloor heating eradicates the presence of cold spots alongside removing any stuffiness in a room. The combined efficiency from lower operating temperatures and the radiant effect of underfloor heating can reduce energy use in a typical UK home by up to 35% which can help keep your energy bills much lower. 

Want to learn more about the energy-saving qualities of underfloor heating? Read our expert guide to find out more. 

2. Effortless to control with automatic heat functionality  

All heating systems should be controlled by a system-dedicated thermostat and all Warmup systems are compatible with our collection of advanced Smart controllers. Smart thermostats enhance the energy-efficiency nature of UFH and can also provide intuitive programmable heat schedules or automatic heat functionality too. This means you will not even have to think about your home’s heating; our systems will always heat your home at the right temperature, at the right time for you, automatically. 

3. More space to design your dream house 

With underfloor heating, you’re able to design your dream house without bulky radiators taking up valuable space on the walls. Even the most modern radiators take up room, so imagine the design freedom you can enjoy with heated floors: you can decorate your home as you wish without having to make any style compromises.   

bathroom with underfloor heating mat

4. A safe and low maintenance heating solution  

A key benefit of underfloor heating is that once installed, the systems require almost no maintenance whatsoever. Electric systems will not need any servicing whereas water underfloor heating systems may require the occasional review just to make sure everything is operating correctly. And, if anything does go wrong with your heating system, all Warmup products come with extensive warranties for total peace of mind. 

Radiant heat is also much better for the air quality in a room. A floor heating system keeps the air of a space fresh and oxygen-rich whilst reducing the circulation of dust whereas the high temperatures caused by radiators can actually increase discomfort and reduce oxygen levels.  

5. Versatile systems to use with different heat sources  

Floor heating systems can be installed in every room of your home: from your bathroom to your bedroom, the basement to the attic. And you’re still free to choose your preferred floor finish as UFH works well with almost all floor types – such as wood, tile, stone, carpet and more. 

Underfloor heating can be used as either the primary heating source to heat your whole home or as a secondary heat source in just one or two rooms to work alongside your existing heating system. Looking to make your home the most sustainable it can be? Consider installing a new heat source alongside your new system. Water floor heating systems are compatible with ground and air-source heat pumps and can dramatically reduce both your home’s carbon footprint and energy bills and some of our electric systems are perfect to use with solar PV systems too. Find out more about the compatibility of UFH with renewable energy in our in-depth article.  

6. Ease of installation in both renovation and new-build properties 

With systems suitable for both new-build projects and retrofitting as part of a home renovation, our range of heating systems are easier to install than you may think. 

Many of our electric systems offer rapid installation times. The StickyMat System features a self-adhesive backing so you can quickly attach the heater to the subfloor and directly tile over it with no need for screeding. You could install the StickyMat in a average-sized bathroom in under a day.  

Due to their more complex installation requirements, water systems will take longer to install than electric heaters but they offer even lower long-term running costs, making their installation a smart investment. Whilst water UFH is typically recommended to use as the primary heat source within larger projects, our VLo line of low-profile water systems have been specifically designed for installation in home refurbishments.  

What are some of the cons of a floor heating system? 

Before purchasing a new heating system for your home, it’s worth taking into account some of the obstacles that may prevent you from enjoying its many benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the potential negatives of underfloor heating. 

1. Installation time and costs in larger projects 

As mentioned, water-based systems will take longer to fit than electric heaters, often requiring several days to install completely – although this shouldn’t matter too much as these systems tend to be installed as part of a large-scale project. You should also be aware that if you specify a water system that requires screeding, the time it takes to cure the screed should also be factored in your project timeline. Find out more about the installation needs of those systems which require screeding and those which don’t in our in-depth guide.  

The time requirements of installing a water underfloor heating system will result in higher installation costs. The price of installation will vary depending on your chosen system, the size of the room and the fee of your installer but you can expect to pay between £200 – 300 a day in labour costs. All heating installations should be conducted by a fully qualified installer who has worked with UFH before.  

Looking for more information on the costs of installing water underfloor heating? Read our guide to discover everything you need to know. 

2. Difficulty in heating homes with high levels of heat loss 

An underfloor heating system is perfect for contemporary homes that have good levels of insulation. So, before you purchase a new system, you should ensure that its heat output is higher than the heat loss of your space. Well-insulated rooms require less heat to be produced by the system and we always recommended that you install good-quality floor insulation alongside your chosen system to enhance its energy-efficiency and assist in reducing heat loss. Find out more about the heat output of floor heating in our informative article.  

3. Impact on existing floor heights 

If you’re planning on retrofitting a new system, a common concern is the impact it may have on floor heights. In renovation projects, it’s understandable that you won’t want to increase the floor build-up when ceiling heights are fixed. 

Most of Warmup’s electric systems will have little-to-impact on floor levels. For instance, the StickyMat system has a system-depth whilst the popular DCM-PRO Heated Decoupling System is a slightly thicker system so may raise floor levels very slightly. Water systems require a deeper installation technique so may affect existing floor levels, however the VLo Ultra-12 Low Build System features a build-up of just 18mm, making it ideal for home renovation projects.  

Discover more about underfloor heating’s impact on floor build-up. 

Is underfloor heating worth it for your home? 

Underfloor heating is a more sustainable way to keep your home warm and cosy. With systems available to suit every budget and all project types and its energy-saving technology to help you save money on your bills, specifying a Warmup system for your home is a great idea. Ready to find the perfect floor heating solution for your needs? Use our easy-to-use online quoting tool to see which system is right for you and find out exactly how much it will cost to buy. Our water systems can be purchased directly from Warmup whilst our electric floor heaters can be bought in-store from one of our retail partners.  

Thinking of installing a new Hydro heating system?

Find out more about installing water underfloor heating systems

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Warmup offers an extensive range of electric and water floor systems compatible with all floor types, rooms and projects.

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We’re happy to answer all your questions about Warmup’s wide range of underfloor heating systems and thermostats.

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Quoting Tools: instant, accurate, flexible

Warmup offers an extensive range of electric and water floor systems compatible with all floor types, rooms and projects.

Electric Systems

  • ✓ Ideal for zones less than 25m²
  • ✓ Ideal for single rooms
  • ✓ Does not alter floor levels
  • ✓ Great for renovations

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Water Systems

  • ✓ Ideal for larger zones over 25m²
  • ✓ Rapid auto heat loss calculations
  • ✓ Compatible with existing central heating systems
  • ✓ Great for new-builds

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Projects Division Consultation

  • ✓ Bespoke heating solutions for new-build projects and larger renovations
  • ✓ Dedicated team to work with you
  • ✓ World-class expertise in R&D, building regulations and energy performance
  • ✓ Detailed system layouts for each stage of the project

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