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Can You Use Underfloor Heating Alongside Radiators? Understanding Hybrid Heating Solutions  

Study with a radiator

Using two or more different heating solutions in your home is called ‘hybrid heating’ and installing underfloor heating to work alongside your home’s existing central heating system is a popular way to heat larger homes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of hybrid heating, explaining: 

  • How hybrid heating systems work  
  • Which kinds of projects hybrid heating is most suitable for 
  • The energy-savings and cost-savings provided by using floor heating and central heating 
  • How to control zoned heating systems 
  • Whether you can use both water and electric UFH within a hybrid heating system 

How does a hybrid heating solution work? 

The most common hybrid heating solution combining UFH with radiators will utilise a water underfloor heating system. Water systems pump heated water through pipework installed beneath your floor finish and because of their use of water, they can also be connected to an existing central heating system’s boiler, allowing for a simple integration for your home. 

As a more energy-efficient heating method, floor heating operates at lower temperatures than central heating (around 25 – 29 degrees Celsius compared to a radiator’s 65 – 75 degrees Celsius) so its important to split these heating systems up through a process called ‘zoned heating’. Zoned heating means you can control different parts of your home’s heating independently to one another; for example, your new UFH system installed in one part of your home would be one ‘zone’ whilst your radiators would be another. You can find out more about the many benefits of multi-zone heating in our expert article 

What kind of property is a hybrid heating solution suitable for? 

Hybrid heating offers an efficient heating solution for larger homes or multi-storey properties. Water floor heating is ideal as the primary heating system for new-build projects, so if you’re building a home extension to increase the size of your home, installing a new system in this space to operate alongside the rest of your home’s existing central system is a great idea.  

Renovating a multi-story home? A hybrid heating system is an ideal heating solution for these kinds of projects. A new water floor heating system can be installed on the ground floor of your home, providing energy-saving warmth for your kitchen and living areas, with the upper levels heated using radiators. Warmup offer water systems that are suitable for use in all rooms and for all subfloor types of a property. So, whether you’re looking for a UFH system to install within a concrete screed or a slimline system to fit over traditional joisted floors, we have you covered. Want to learn more about installing a water system in your home? Discover everything you need to know in our in-depth guide. 

What are the benefits of using underfloor heating and radiators together? 

Using underfloor heating and central heating in-tandem is a cost-effective way to heat your home. The combined efficiency from a UFH system’s radiant heat technology and its lower operating temperatures can reduce energy use in a home by up to 35%. And with this increased energy performance, low long-term running costs can be achieved too. So, by installing water floor heating to work alongside radiators, you can slash the cost of heating your home.  

If you’re retaining an existing central heating system within a part of your property and using a new UFH system to heat another part, you’ll save money through not having to purchase a whole-house heating system.  

Want to learn more about the long-term cost-savings of floor heating? Read our article on how a Warmup system can you reduce both your home’s running costs and its carbon footprint.  

How do I control a hybrid heating system? 

The 6iE Smart WiFi Thermostat combines advanced technology with premium materials to create the ultimate heating controller for hybrid heating systems. It facilitates accurate temperature control and heat scheduling for multiple heating zones in a home; allowing you to manage both your central heating system and floor heating system from the same network of devices. Featuring the world’s first Smartphone touchscreen on a floor heating controller, the 6iE utilises SmartGeo technology to learn your routines; offering radiant warmth at the right temperature, at the right time, automatically.  

Installing the 6iE Smart WiFi Thermostat to manage your home’s hybrid heating solution is a simple process for qualified heating engineers. Individual controllers can be used to manage specific heating zones utilising a method known as an S Plan heating system whereby zone valves will separate the water for the radiators and floor heating system, allowing for these different temperature requirements. Warmup provides a wide range of wiring diagrams to assist in the installation of our heat controls, including S Plan configurations for hybrid heating systems.  

Can I install electric floor heating in my home too? 

Yes, you can. A hybrid heating system can also allow you to fit an electric floor heater as a secondary heat source in just one or two rooms of your home, as its own zone. For instance, you could consider installing a water floor heating system on the ground floor of a property, use radiators to heat the bedrooms upstairs and then install electric systems within its bathrooms and en-suites. Electric UFH has the great advantage of allowing for a rapid installation alongside quick heat-up times.   

Want to find the best floor heating system to use as part of a hybrid heating solution? Use our online quoting tool to find the perfect system for your needs. We’ll help you choose the right system and tell you exactly how much it cost to purchase.  

Thinking of installing a new Hydro heating system?

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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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