As the days get shorter, the nights longer and the temperature drops, we like to retreat into our nice warm homes. That feeling of snuggling on the sofa is often one we crave after braving the cold outside. With that in mind, there is always something you can count upon to help keep you warm; underfloor heating.

Often overlooked, this is becoming one of the most popular ways of heating your home. And who doesn’t love the feeling of a nice warm floor on their bare feet? Imagine the scene of walking through your home enjoying that beautiful cosy atmosphere wherever you go. No cold spots, no nasty surprises and lower energy bills. Sounds like bliss doesn’t it?

There’s a lot to love about underfloor heating and for good reason. But, before you go tearing up your carpet, it’s best to ask: is it right for you?

Pros

• Save on your bills!

As we said above, using underfloor heating is good for your energy bills! When it comes to a straight comparison between traditional radiators and underfloor heating, radiators need to be heated to a high temperature (between 65-75 degrees Celsius) to heat a room effectively. But underfloor heating only needs to run at a temperature of around 29 degrees Celsius to warm the same room – less energy means lower bills with most people saving an average of 15%.

• No more cold spots

There are two types of underfloor heating for you to choose from, electric and water-based. No matter what you choose both provide heat throughout an entire room meaning no more cold spots! The benefits of this are that even with open windows or draughty rooms, there will be consistent warmth no matter the flooring choice. You can have underfloor heating under wood, tile, laminate and even carpet! That means no more cold feet during that midnight trip to the loo.

• low maintenance

Another big plus is that it requires nearly zero maintenance. No need for radiator bleeding and expensive call-outs to the plumber. Once installed you can lay back and enjoy all the comforts of your now beautifully heated home. And with more and more people using smart systems at home (think of Amazon Alexa, Hive or Nest Thermostats) you can control your heating to suit your needs. A match made in heaven.

• Improves the style of your home

For the more design-conscious, underfloor heating removes the need for radiators meaning that you have more wall space to use. It provides a clean canvas for you to design your home exactly how you want it, no ugly piping or radiator covers needed. It is safer for children as parents can rest assured that their little ones won’t be scalded by hot metal or cut on sharp edges either.

Cons

• Short term disruption

Like everything, there are some downsides to underfloor heating. The main one being installation. Installing your new heating system has its own set of technical challenges, including making sure the floor is level, adding insulation boards to get the most from your system, tearing up floorboards and carpet etc. This all comes with that scary word: cost.

• Plus the add on costs

Some of the more popular systems can cost you around £75 to £100 per square metre. Installation aside, you will still need to call out a qualified electrician to connect the system to your power supply, which is an added cost. Water-based systems are often more expensive and take longer to install, especially if your floor has to be levelled to fit the system.

That’s why it is recommended that you install your underfloor system during a renovation as it will become a lot easier to manage the time, the hassle and the cost.

• Takes organisation

Another issue is that, whilst it will warm up a room and hold heat well, underfloor heating takes time to warm up. A long time. Investing in a good quality thermostat with a timer (you could always use one of the smart home options) is always a perfect complement to underfloor heating as you can program in your peak times to keep you warm during those winter months. Setting the timer for 5 minutes before you wake up won’t be enough anymore.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to investing in underfloor heating. It is certainly a comfort and can really save you money on your bills, but installation can be expensive. With all these points, you should have decided about whether underfloor heating is for you. Whatever you decide, you can trust our experience. For more information, speak with us today. Click for contact >