Fed up of unsightly radiators taking up space in your house? Had enough of those annoying cold spots that seem to appear no matter how warm the temperature gets? Perhaps you are considering electric underfloor heating. This simple guide explains everything you need to know about electric underfloor heating, now much it costs and if it is suitable for your property and your needs. So grab a coffee and put your feet up as we help you to make the best decisions for your family and home.
What is electric underfloor heating?
Electric underfloor heating (also known as a dry system) is an efficient and simple way to heat your home without the need for a radiator. Suitable for any room and floor finish type, electric underfloor heating will heat your room from the floor up and take away any of those pesky cold spots.
Why should you consider it?
Electric underfloor heating is seen as a cost-effective way of heating kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms in a property where an optimum temperature may be difficult to sustain. Totally invisible and requiring minimum care and maintenance, electric underfloor heating is often an attractive alternative to radiators.
Here are some of the best electric underfloor heating benefits that may help you to decide if it is the right option for you:
- Electric underfloor heating evenly distributes heat throughout a room by projecting warmth from the ground up.
- Electric underfloor heating costs less than traditional heating methods, such as a radiator. Electric systems are also 25% more efficient[i].
- Unlike convectional heating, you do not need to keep electric underfloor heating running for long periods for obtain the kind of warmth you want. This responsive type of heating quickly heats up as and when you need it.
- When correctly installed, electric underfloor heating requires very little to no maintenance.
- With the heat source being under the floor, electric underfloor heating eliminating the need for space-stealing radiators.
Electric Underfloor Heating Costs
We have already written a blog about underfloor heating costs, bur here is a more specific breakdown for electric underfloor heating: –
Installation costs – Depending on the requirements of your project, electric underfloor heating installation costs can start from around £200. On average, you can expect to pay labourers £480-720 to install it as part of a renovation, or £240 – £480 in a new build.
Material costs – Materials are where you’ll sink the most money when installing electric underfloor heating. On average, materials can cost anything from £2,100 – £3,600, completely depending on the scale of your project and the complexity of the area being focused on.
Above costs sourced from greenmatch.com[ii]
Running costs – Exact running costs depend on the system installed, the type of insulation used and the type of floor covering that is fitted.
To provide a general idea on electric underfloor heating running costs, it is most effective to make a comparison to gas central heating.
Gas central heating is the most widely used type of domestic heating used in the UK. Because of its relatively inexpensive running costs over the last two decades, many people assume that this type of heating is the only sensible option for domestic heating. However, electric underfloor heating is the number one alternative to gas central heating and is quickly becoming the primary heating method for large number of domestic properties within the country. To decide whether the running costs work for you, you can use a running cost calculator.
How economical is underfloor electric heating?
Underfloor electric heating can be an extremely economical option for those wanting to cut down their heating bill. According to Warmup, an average sized 4m² bathroom that is heated for 3 hours a day is likely to cost around £22 pounds a month in the winter, whereas a 15m² lounge being heated for the same amount of time is likely to cost around £70[iii]
Installation Process
Wondering how to lay electric underfloor heating? We have everything you need to know for a smooth and stress-free process.
Preparation
Before you begin, you should make sure that the rooms you are heating are properly insulated. Check that the subfloor is clear of debris before you begin. You will also need to make sure that you book an appointment with a qualified electrician to connect the system to the mains.
Pulling up the floor
How you pull up your floor will depend on the type of floor you have fitted. Here are a few tips to help you out:
Tongue and groove flooring – With this type of flooring, the nails will need to be pried out with a crowbar or equivalent tool. After removing the perimeter trim, begin with the row of boards that are closest to the wall with the top nails visible. This will help to avoid damage if you want to reuse the flooring[iv]
Click flooring – This kind of flooring is usually easy to remove. Start by finding the part where the installation ended (this is often a corner board) and pry it up. You can then work along the full row adjacent to the wall and remove it – just separate each board by turning them over and unclicking them from the bottom.
Putting Down the Mat
Rolling out the mats is a relatively easy task. Simply follow the manufacturers’ instructions and check with a qualified builder on whether you need to use creed during the installation process. You will also need to secure a floor sensor that connects to the thermostat. This should be positioned on the floor close to the wall below the thermostat and securely fastened in place.
The Final Connection
Connecting the system to the main electrical supply should always be performed by a qualified and experienced electrician.
Following the Installation
How reliable is electric underfloor heating? There is usually little aftercare needed after installing an electric underfloor heating system, and the most common problem is faulty wiring (which is why you should always use a qualified electrician). If your system suddenly stops working, contact the manufacturer. If the problem has nothing to do with the product itself, the manufacturer will likely recommend that you get in touch with an electrician to rectify the problem.
How to Control Electric Underfloor Heating
This kind of heating is easily controlled by a thermostat, which switches the heating on and off in relation to the room’ temperature. By correctly using a heated floor thermostat and setting it at the desired temperature, you can eliminate the risk of wasting energy by accidentally overheating your property.
When it comes to choosing the temperature, the preference varies from person-to-person. Generally, 21°C is the optimum temperature for living areas, whereas bedrooms are usually set at a slightly cooler temperature of around 18°C.
Remember that the underfloor heating temperature you set can make a huge difference to your comfort and bank balance! To give an example, according to the Energy Savings Trust, you could save around £80 and 330kg CO2 per year just by turning your underfloor heating room thermostats down by just 1 degree[v].
How reliable is an electric system?
Electric underfloor heating is extremely reliable, but there is more chance of a fault occurring if the system is not fitted correctly. To avoid this from happening, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s manual ad test the system before you cover it. In the unlikely event that you damage the system while you are installing it, you can usually pick up a repair kit for around £20.
Electric underfloor heating is no longer just for luxurious households or massive budgets. Quickly making a name for itself in the mainstream[vi], there is no doubt that electric underfloor heating is an attractive and cost-effective alternative to traditional radiators or hot air heating systems.
References
Deziel, C., n.d. How to Safely Lift Tongue & Groove Flooring. [Online]
Available at: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/safely-lift-tongue-groove-flooring-57209.html
[Accessed 24 September 2020].
Energy Saving Trust, n.d. Thermostats and controls. [Online]
Available at: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/thermostats-and-controls
[Accessed 24 September 2020].
Gosheva, R., 2020. How Much Does Underfloor Heating Cost?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/underfloor-heating-cost
[Accessed 24 September 2020].
PE Wholesaler, 2019. Why is electric heating so popular?. [Online]
Available at: https://pewholesaler.co.uk/why-is-electric-heating-so-popular/
[Accessed 24 September 2020].
Vening, S., 2019. Radiators or Underfloor Heating?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.self-build.co.uk/radiators-or-underfloor-heating/
[Accessed 24 September 2020].
Warmup, n.d. Underfloor Heating Costs. [Online]
Available at: https://www.warmup.co.uk/underfloor-heating/cost
[Accessed 24 September 2020].
[i] https://www.self-build.co.uk/radiators-or-underfloor-heating/
[ii] https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/underfloor-heating-cost
[iii] https://www.warmup.co.uk/underfloor-heating/cost
[iv] https://homeguides.sfgate.com/safely-lift-tongue-groove-flooring-57209.html
[v] https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/thermostats-and-controls
[vi] https://pewholesaler.co.uk/why-is-electric-heating-so-popular/
