Your Guide To Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating has become one of the most popular ways to heat a home.

When installing an air source heat pump, you’ll also need to consider the type of heating emitter you want to implement. Underfloor heating has become one of the most popular ways to heat a home, as it’s efficient and gives homes a more luxurious feel.

So, if you’re not sure what you want to use or if you’ve got your heart set on underfloor heating, our guide will provide you with everything you need to know.

How does underfloor heating work?

Installing underfloor heating involves running a system of pipes or wires underneath the floor of a room. This essentially turns the floor into one large radiator, helping to keep the room warmer for longer.

Underfloor heating also operates at a lower temperature flow compared to traditional radiators, meaning they pair well with renewable energy solutions such as air source heat pumps.

How is underfloor heating installed?

Usually underfloor heating is installed through laying pipes over insulation and under a screed. The pipes are laid in rows, coiled and uniformly spread to make sure the heat is distributed evenly. The pipes are then fixed using pipe staples to keep them in place.

This is then covered with self-levelling screed and then treated with a chemical spray before being left to dry. It’s then recommended to let the screed dry for four weeks before fitting any flooring.

What types of underfloor heating are there?

There are two types of underfloor heating, including:Wet underfloor heating - This is a system of pipes filled with warm water used to heat the flooring and is the best option for newbuilds or those undertaking big renovations.Electric underfloor heating - This is usually the cheaper and easier to install form of underfloor heating, however the running costs can be as much as three times higher than wet floor heating.

Would underfloor heating work in your home?

Underfloor heating is great for homes undergoing a retrofit project that includes improving insulation, but it can add some expensive costs to your project as you’ll need to rip out existing flooring.

It’s also a good option for new builds, as they tend to have better insulation from using double glazed windows and properly insulated walls, floors and roofs, meaning less energy or heat can escape from the house.

The pros of underfloor heating

Underfloor heating has many pros, making it potentially more beneficial than other heating emitters like traditional radiators and fan coil units. Pros include:

Being able to heat a larger surface area, helping to keep rooms warmer.
They run on lower temperatures than traditional radiators, making them more energy efficient and a good pairing for an air source heat pump.
They’re compatible with many flooring types, including tile and stone.
It removes the need for radiators, helping to free up space and make a room appear bigger.
They’re better for indoor air quality compared to radiators and fan coil units and are safer for children as they reduce the risk of them getting burnt.

The cons of underfloor heating

While there are many benefits to installing underfloor heating, there are also a few disadvantages, such as:

It’s more expensive than implementing radiators or fan coil units. Installation typically costs between 20% and 50% more than radiators.
The time taken to install underfloor heating can take much longer than other emitters to be fitted.
Extra work may be required during retrofits, as you may need to dig out the flooring to create a more level profile for the underfloor heating to be laid.

Installing an air source heat pump with Enula

Here at Enula we pride ourselves in distributing and installing air source heat pumps that benefit the planet, your home and your bank account. We’ll help you understand the benefits of each heat emitter, and will find the right solution for you.

Air source heat pumps take free energy from the outside and with a little help from electricity and transfers it into heat to warm your home. This offers a far more sustainable and energy efficient way of heating your home, while helping you save money on your energy bills. While we understand that the upfront cost is expensive, there are grants out there that can help you cover part of the costs (if you’re eligible).

The grants available are:

To discover more about how these schemes could help you, read our blog on maximising government grants.
So if you’re looking to install an air source heat pump and want to know how it could work for you, get in touch with us today to find out more.