Our Guide to Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating has become an increasingly popular option for homeowners, providing both energy efficient and cost effective heating solutions.

But is underfloor heating the best choice for you, and how does it actually work?

How long does underfloor heating take to warm up?

Underfloor heating systems can take anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes to heat up, but this can vary depending on several factors, including:

• Floor construction
• Amount of heat loss
• Level of insulation in the floor
• The type of floor finish
• The type of floor substrate 
• Ambient temperatures

What temperature should underfloor heating be set at?

Not all floors can be heated to high temperatures, so it’s important you’re aware of what kind of floor you have when setting temperatures. 

Tile and stone can be heated to 29°C since they have good thermal conductivity, meaning the heat can better transmit from the heating elements to the floor’s surface. 

Soft floor materials like wood, laminate and carpet have poor thermal conductivity, meaning that the highest they can be heated to is 27°C. 

How efficient is underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating is estimated to use around 15-40% less energy compared to radiators since they require a lower input temperature to work effectively. 

This lower input temperature is where the energy saving potential comes in, as underfloor heating will be 10-20% more efficient than radiators thanks to this.

What is the best flooring for underfloor heating?

The best and most popular flooring for underfloor heating includes:

• Solid and engineered wood
• Carpet and rugs
• Ceramic tiles and stone
• Vinyl and linoleum 
• Polished screed 
• Laminate 

How is underfloor heating controlled?

Similar to radiators, underfloor heating is controlled through thermostats and zones.

Typically, each room will have a thermostat which measures the room’s temperature. When the thermostat is turned up, it will signal for warm water to be circulated through pipework which will start heating the floor. 

Sometimes there will be thermostats built into the floor, which is used to ensure the floor does not overheat or get too cold, especially if there is another heat source in the room, such as a log burner. 

Do I need permission to have underfloor heating installed?

No, you don’t need to have permission to install underfloor heating in an existing property. 

If you are building an extension or conservatory, you will need planning permission, but you can include underfloor heating in the building plans for this, meaning you do not need separate planning permission for underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating vs radiators

Choosing between underfloor heating and radiators will really vary on your own personal heating needs in your home. 

Underfloor heating produces what is known as radiant heating, in which the heat is evenly distributed throughout a room to prevent any cold spots, whereas radiators use convection to warm a room, which means that heat is not evenly distributed. 

Underfloor heating also gives you superior control over what parts of your house are heated by creating heating zones. Each room is controlled individually by its own thermostat, so you only use energy in the room you want. 

However, compared to radiators, underfloor heating does take longer to heat up. Where radiators can take 20-30 minutes, underfloor heating can take 1-2 hours. 

How do you bleed underfloor heating?

Bleeding your underfloor heating is not a job you will be required to undertake on a regular basis. If you spot the signs that your heating isn’t working very well, this may mean that there is air trapped in the pipes. 

Due to the complex nature of underfloor heating compared to radiators, we always suggest seeking the advice of professionals. 

At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, our qualified team is always happy to assist with any underfloor heating maintenance or installation.