Underfloor electric heating

Installing electric underfloor heating might be a fantastic method to replace radiators or just warm up areas of the house that you go on bare feet, such bathrooms. However, installing underfloor heating may be difficult, especially in spaces that already exist. Time it to coincide with other renovations is one approach to minimize disturbance.

How do systems for electric underfloor heating operate?

In order to guarantee that heat moves upward rather than below, electric underfloor heating is typically installed on top of a layer of floor insulation. In order to guarantee a perfectly level surface, screed—a mixture of sand and cement—or suspended wood—floorboards on joists—are placed first.

Next, the heating wires are linked to your primary power source. A sensor will also be a part of the system to aid with temperature control. The system may then be turned on or off by pre-setting the temperature using a thermostat.

Underfloor heating wires and mats are available from specialty shops and do-it-yourself stores like Wickes and B&Q.

Watts per square meter for electric underfloor heating systems range from around 100W to 200W.

What is the operating temperature of electric underfloor heating?

Depending on how warm you set them, electric systems operate at an average temperature of between 25 and 31°C.

It will rely, in part, on the kind of flooring you intend to install on top of it—carpet or laminate, for example—and the condition of the floor beneath. A thermostat is usually included with underfloor heating systems to assist with temperature control.

thermostats for electric heating

The thermostat for electric underfloor heating is typically wall-mounted in the space where the underfloor heating is installed. They guarantee that your underfloor heating system operates properly and reduces expenses by allowing you to customize the temperature to your preferred setting. If you have underfloor heating in more than one room, you will want a different thermostat.

types of thermostats

A few distinct varieties exist, varying in complexity from basic to advanced. You might be able to select the kind of thermostat that comes with your system in some circumstances; a smart thermostat will likely cost more than a simple one.

Traditional thermostats with manual dials: these basic types are operated manually, for instance by turning a dial.

With programmable thermostats, you can choose the temperature and the hours that you want your underfloor heating to run (you could want various temperatures at different times of day, for example).

With the use of a smartphone app, you can control your underfloor heating from a distance with smart thermostats, which may also provide more sophisticated configuration choices. They can also come in helpful if, for any reason, you forget to switch off the system before leaving on vacation.

Remember that underfloor heating takes longer to heat up than radiators, so if you want warm tootsies first thing in the morning, make sure your thermostat is set to turn on at least 30 minutes before you get up.

Where is it possible to install electric underfloor heating?

You may have electric underfloor heating placed anyplace you can access an electrical power source. The floor may not need to be elevated in the same way for electric systems since they are less substantial than water underfloor heating systems. As a result, installing electric underfloor heating is frequently less expensive and more convenient than water-based systems. However, electric underfloor heating is often more appropriate for smaller spaces, like bathrooms, as it can be more expensive to operate and less powerful than water-based systems.

The majority (65%) of persons we spoke to with electric underfloor heating had it installed in only one room, most typically in a bathroom (64%), followed by the kitchen (34%)*.

How is electric underfloor heating installed?

You can install electric underfloor heating yourself, but you’ll need a licensed electrician to add a thermostat and link it to your power supply.

However, we would advise hiring an expert if you’re not very confident doing things yourself. In addition to prepping and insulating your flooring and installing the wiring, they may offer advice on whether your rooms are suitable for electric heating and what kind would be ideal. Additionally, they can design a layout for the wiring, such as indicating that cables for underfloor heating shouldn’t pass beneath any long-term fixtures or fittings.

To locate an underfloor heating installer in your region, utilize Which? Trusted Traders. We undertake the extensive background checks on all the traders and businesses we suggest, saving you the trouble.

Wires versus electric underfloor heating mats

There are two primary types of underfloor heating:

Mats. These include attaching a number of wires at regular intervals to a mat. The matting may be trimmed to size, taking care not to cut through the wires, and then spread out across a level, flat surface. Over this is lay the flooring. Mat-based systems can be simpler to install, but because you have to accommodate the cable arrangement, they might not be as effective in tiny or oddly shaped spaces.

Loose wires. These are much more adaptable if your space has a strange form since you may arrange them whichever you choose. But, to guarantee that the heat is dispersed uniformly across the floor, you must make sure the wires are spaced equally.

placing the wiring and preparing the floor

It’s critical that your floor be properly prepped and insulated for the type of floor you have and where it is located in your house before installing electric underfloor heating. The wires should then just need to be laid out and secured in place.

To keep the wiring in place, you may also apply a self-leveling compound (like screed), though whether you need to do so will depend on how even the floor is currently and what kind of flooring you plan to install on top. Remember that the kind of flooring you choose to install above will also influence the kind of wiring you choose and, consequently, the price.

The thermostat must be installed and connected to your power supply by a licensed electrician.