Choosing the right heating system can make all the difference to your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Today we present an option which, although not new, is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its high levels of comfort and efficiency: underfloor heating.
Here is everything you need to know about this innovative home heating system: what underfloor heating is, its advantages and drawbacks, how much it costs, and more.
What is underfloor heating and how does it work?
Underfloor heating is a heating system which, as its name suggests, emits heat from the floor of your home. It is an invisible climate control solution, as it is built into the floor beneath the flooring finish.
Because it releases heat across the entire floor area, it does so evenly throughout the whole surface of the room and helps maintain a consistent and pleasant temperature across the space.
This is how underfloor heating works:
- The heat in an underfloor heating system comes from a series of pipes or heating cables hidden beneath the floor.
- These heating elements warm up and transfer heat to the floor finish.
- Then, because cold air is heavier than warm air, the heat naturally rises from the floor to the rest of the room.
In most underfloor heating systems, the heat is controlled by a thermostat. - When the room temperature drops below the desired level, the thermostat activates the system to heat the floor until the set temperature is reached.
- In this way, underfloor heating maintains a pleasant and stable temperature in your home, without the peaks and drops that can occur with other heating systems.
There are currently two main types of underfloor heating that can be installed in the home:
- Hydronic underfloor heating: also known as wet underfloor heating, this uses water heated by a boiler which circulates through a network of pipes installed beneath the floor. This system is highly efficient and can be connected to a range of energy sources, including mains gas, propane, electricity, solar energy or geothermal energy.
- Electric underfloor heating: this uses electric heating cables or mats installed beneath the floor. This system is easier to install and can be a good option for bathrooms or kitchens, although its running costs may be higher than those of a hydronic system.
Advantages of underfloor heating
Below we set out the advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating. While it is true that no home heating system is flawless, this is one of the options that offers the greatest benefits.
The main advantages of underfloor heating are as follows:
- It provides even and constant heat.
- It is more efficient than other heating systems.
- It improves indoor air quality, as it does not circulate dust in the way warm air heating systems do.
- It is invisible and silent.
Disadvantages of underfloor heating
Let us now look at the disadvantages of underfloor heating which, as you will see, are limited and in most cases arise only at the start of some installations:
- It requires a significant initial investment.
- In an existing property, installation can be complex and may require structural alterations.
- The warm-up time may be slower, especially in hydronic systems.
Underfloor heating: is it suitable for all types of home?
Underfloor heating is a comfortable, efficient heating system that has no visual impact on the property. It is undoubtedly an option worth considering, but it is important to assess your specific needs and the characteristics of your home carefully before making a decision.
It is true that, ideally, installation should be planned as part of a new-build project. This involves a lower investment and makes it much easier to adapt the system to the existing structural conditions.
That said, underfloor heating can also be installed perfectly well in an existing home. The existing floor would need to be lifted, or the system could be installed over the current floor with a new finish laid on top. An excellent opportunity to replace your home’s flooring.
All of these options depend greatly on the characteristics and possibilities of each property. For that reason, it is so important to work with professionals who specialise in this type of installation.
Now, if you are thinking of buying a new-build home with innovative and efficient climate control systems, such as underfloor heating or aerothermal energy, you can be confident that this is a very positive added-value feature.
Underfloor heating maintenance: what you need to know
Among the advantages of underfloor heating, it is also worth highlighting the minimal maintenance it requires. That said, it is a complex installation for which specific tools and resources may be needed, so our recommendation is to arrange a regular system inspection service with a specialist company in the sector.
Underfloor heating maintenance includes the following actions:
- Bleeding the system to rule out blockages.
- Cleaning the entire underfloor heating system, including the flow meters.
- Carrying out hydraulic pressure and temperature differential tests on the manifolds, together with the corresponding adjustments.
- Checking that the electrical and electronic connections are working correctly.
- Calibrating the thermostat and any other required operating parameters.
- Inspecting and cleaning, where applicable, all circuits, pumps, valves, and so on.
Frequently asked questions about underfloor heating
Is it possible to install underfloor heating in an existing home?
Underfloor heating can be installed in an existing home, but it should be borne in mind that the process will be more expensive and more complex than if it is installed in a new-build property.
How much does it cost to install underfloor heating in a home?
There are many factors that influence the price of underfloor heating, including whether additional works are required, such as lifting the existing floor.
Leaving aside this type of element, the average cost of installing underfloor heating is between €50 and €80 per square metre. However, it should also be noted that there are grants and subsidies in Spain to help homeowners carry out this type of energy-efficiency installation.