High heat around the radiator, with cold spots in the other corners—pretty clumsy, huh?
Gone are the days when London homes had to rely solely on radiators. Underfloor heating—a revolutionary technology—has transformed how people perceive warmth. The result? Many now prefer their comfort source to be right under their feet rather than bulky wall-mounted radiators.
Wondering how does underfloor heating work? That’s exactly what we’re going to explore thoroughly—everything you need to know before ditching those traditional, giant heaters. Before contacting a professional underfloor heating company, learn about how the system actually works. Sounding curious? Let’s dive in.
What is Underfloor Heating?
Underfloor heating is an indoor heating system that radiantly warms a room through a network of pipes or wiring installed beneath the floor. It uses either a water-based or electric system to provide a consistent, even temperature.
Unlike radiators, underfloor heating directly heats everything on the floor—including people. The heat radiates upward evenly without circulating the sneaky irritants- dust or allergens, providing a healthier way to stay warm.
Types Of Underfloor Heating Systems: Wet & Dry
Unlike radiators, underfloor heating offers two main types: water-based systems and electric systems. Water systems pump hot water through pipes, while electric ones use cables or mats to warm your floors. Not sure how to choose the best underfloor heating? Let’s break down the differences and find your best match.
◼ Water-based (Hydronic) Underfloor Heating systems:
Recent research shows that hydronic underfloor heating controls 65.4% of the market, solidifying its position as the most popular heating option. They last up to 50 years, heat evenly, and save you money on energy bills over time.
Best for: Larger properties, new builds.
Pros:
- Longevity with a lifespan of up to 50 years.
- Distributes heat evenly.
- More cost-effective over time with lower running costs.
- Highly energy efficient.
Cons:
- Higher setup costs.
- Longer warm-up time.
◼ Electric(Dry) Underfloor Heating System:
Known as a dry system, electric underfloor heating works by embedding electrical heating elements under the floor surface. Unlike wet systems that rely on water or other fluids, dry systems are straightforward to install and maintain by just connecting them to the electric mains.
Best for: Small rooms (bathroom, kitchen, etc.), retrofits.
Pros:
- Easy to install.
- Lower installation cost.
- Heats up instantly.
Cons:
- Shorter lifespan (20-30 years) compared to wet systems.
- Higher running costs.
How Does Underfloor Heating Work?
As we discussed earlier, there are two major types of underfloor heating. Each type provides the necessary warmth but operates differently . Let’s break down how they work.
Hydronic Underfloor Heating
Hydronic or water-based underfloor heating sources hot water from a boiler or heat pump and distributes it through a piping network via a manifold. It heats the room efficiently by utilising hot water, a sustainable energy source.
◼ How it works:
- Installing and Preparing the Heat Source: Boilers or heat pumps installation is commonly required to heat water for underfloor heating. Unlike radiators, underfloor heating operates efficiently at a lower temperature, typically between 30°C-40°C.
- Heat Distribution: Once the water is heated, it is circulated through a network of pipes beneath the floor. As circulation begins, it evenly warms the floor surface.
- Controlling the Heat: A central manifold acts like the brain of the system, directing hot water into different zones. You can tweak settings like temperature, water flow, and pressure for each zone to suit your comfort.
- Heating Functionality: When hot water flows through the pipes, it emits radiant heat upwards, warming the floor and everything above it uniformly—eliminating cold spots and reducing airborne dust.
- Return of the flow: After releasing its heat, the cooler water exits the pipes and returns to the manifold to be reheated. This continuous cycle keeps your space warm.
Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric or dry underfloor heating runs on electricity supplied from the mains. Typically, it involves a series of electric mats made up of insulated electric cables. These resistant cables radiate heat, providing consistent warmth.
◼ How it works:
- Laying the Mats or Cables: That’s simple—just place the cables or mats on the finished floor or subfloor. Electric heating works directly beneath the tiling, providing efficient heat distribution.
- Heat Generation and Distribution: The electric cables in the mats have resistance. They draw current from the electric mains. As the current flows through the cables, they generate heat, warming the floor. This process allows for constant and even heating. Electric underfloor heating can heat up instantly, offering quick comfort.
- Control of temperature: The system’s temperature can be regulated using a thermostat. Installing a thermostat allows you to set and maintain a comfortable temperature easily.
Underfloor Heating: Essential Components and Control Systems
While underfloor heating installers usually set up the necessary parts for installation, you can also arrange them. So, what are the must-have parts and control systems? Let’s break it down.
Key Components for Underfloor Heating
Here are the essential components that are required for underfloor heating:
- Heating Source: Boiler or heat pump (for wet systems).
- High-Quality Pipes: Thick, flexible, and corrosion-resistant pipes that withstand high temperatures and water pressure.
- Electrical Elements: Insulated cables or cable mats for electric systems.
- Manifold: The main control hub managing water flow, pressure, temperature, and circulation per zone.
- Wiring Centre: Connects thermostats, heat pumps, boilers, actuators, and other electrical components.
Control Systems That Underfloor Heating Requires
Thermostat: It controls and monitors the ambient temperature, sending commands to turn zones on or off based on the desired heat level.
Wiring Centre: This component supports the thermostats by directing signals to the correct thermal actuator valves, ensuring only the designated zones are heated.
Manifold Control: The manifold regulates the flow rate using its flow meter. It controls water pressure and temperature for each zone individually and can serve as the central control point, integrating all zone controls.
Manifold’s mixing unit: This unit, part of the manifold, mixes hot water with return water to achieve a consistent, safe temperature for optimal underfloor heating.
Top 8 Benefits Of Underfloor Heating
Most London homeowners are shifting to underfloor heating, leaving the traditional default option. Here’s why-
1. Higher Energy Efficiency
Underfloor heating operates at lower temperatures, typically between 30°C and 40°C, making it more energy-efficient. In contrast, traditional radiators often run at 65°C or higher, which consumes significantly more energy.
2. Free of Harsh Noise:
Unlike radiators, underfloor heating operates with minimal noise. It might only be a hum that blends with the background. With almost no noise, underfloor heating keeps your space peaceful—no more radiator clangs or hisses.
3. Lower Running Costs
Wet underfloor heating systems heat spaces gradually and require less energy to warm larger properties. This reduced energy consumption translates into lower ongoing costs.
4. Even Heat Distribution:
The system radiates heat evenly across the entire floor, ensuring furniture, people, and the room itself warm up uniformly—no cold spots here.
5. Improved Air Quality:
Since underfloor heating doesn’t blow air around, it avoids circulating dust and allergens, keeping the indoor air cleaner and more comfortable.
6. Requires Low Maintenance:
Once installed, underfloor heating requires minimal upkeep. Its seamless operation and ease of use make it stand out compared to other heating systems.
7. Saves Wall Spaces:
Traditional radiators are bulky and wall-mounted, taking up room. Underfloor heating lies beneath the floor, creating more open wall areas.
8. Increases the Property Value:
Underfloor heating is a modern, smart heating solution. Installing it can boost your home’s value and appeal to prospective buyers.
Is Underfloor Heating Worthwhile?
Absolutely. Underfloor heating cuts down on costs and energy use. Installing it not only boosts your property value but also lowers your utility bills. Plus, you have the flexibility to choose fuel types, set heating zones, adjust flow rates, water pressure, and many other options.
So, yes, underfloor heating is flexible and incredibly worthwhile. If anyone asks, “How does underfloor heating work?” now you have the answer. Embrace this amazing piece of technology and heat your home in a modern way.
FAQs About the Underfloor Heating Systems
How does an underfloor heating manifold work?
A manifold acts as the central hub in wet underfloor heating systems, channelling hot water from the heater to individual zones or rooms through pipe loops. Each zone is linked to a thermostat and has its own flow and return bar, equipped with a flow meter and an actuator-controlled valve. When a zone’s thermostat requests heat, the valve opens, and hot water flows into that zone.
What is the best flooring for underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating works best with flooring that has high thermal conductivity. Stone and ceramic tiles top the list because they transfer heat efficiently. That said, engineered wood and contemporary laminate flooring are also decent options, provided they are compatible with underfloor heating.
How long does it take to install underfloor heating?
Typically, electric underfloor heating can be installed in 1-2 days. It’s commonly applied in small rooms like bathrooms or small kitchens.
In contrast, water-based systems require more time—around 3-5 days—since they’re often fitted in larger rooms or properties. New constructions typically need only 1-2 days, whereas retrofitting existing buildings might take 3-7 days.
What are the disadvantages of underfloor heating?
One of the main drawbacks of underfloor heating—particularly water-based setups—is the significant initial investment. It also takes more time to heat a room evenly. Plus, if the system breaks down, fixing it can be quite expensive.
Do you leave underfloor heating on all the time?
Keeping underfloor heating running at a low, steady temperature and using a thermostat to control it is more efficient than switching it off completely. Once you set a schedule, there’s no need to fuss with manual controls constantly.
How does underfloor heating connect to the boiler?
Underfloor heating systems are connected to a boiler via a distributor manifold. The flow pipe of the manifold carries hot water from the boiler to the system, then distributes it through pipe loops for each zone. The cooler water returns to the boiler through the manifold’s return hub. This is how a wet underfloor heating system heats up using the manifold. You must hire a Gas Safe-registered heating engineer to complete the task.
Is it cheaper to run underfloor heating or radiators?
Water-based underfloor heating is generally cheaper than radiators, thanks to its high energy efficiency and low operating costs. Electric underfloor heating costs can be slightly more to operate than radiators.
How long does underfloor heating take to warm up?
Underfloor heating can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over 4 hours to fully heat a room. The actual time depends on factors like the size of the property, insulation quality, system wattage, and the type of underfloor heating installed.