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Electric Underfloor Heating Explained
If you've ever got into a deep discussion or argument with other homeowners about underfloor heating, you'll know there are some strong opinions floating about. There's also a lot of misconceptions. As a result, choosing the right underfloor heating product for your property is often a much more difficult undertaking than it needs to be. If you want accurate information about the pros and cons of electric underfloor heating, you need to talk to people with first-hand experience of living with the product.
Lots of people think they understand the world of underfloor heating when they are actually labouring under some serious misapprehensions about what products are available and which ones are best for them. This guide aims to simplify and clarify the subject of electric underfloor heating so anyone can understand it.
How does underfloor heating work?
There are two types of underfloor heating systems available; water systems and electric systems. Whereas water systems run hot water through pipes to heat the floor above, electric underfloor heating systems utilise electric wires instead.
Whether it's water or electricity flowing beneath the floor, the principle is the same; underfloor elements are heated, and the heat transfers to the floor above. However, there are some important differences in the way that these systems perform in the real world.
For example, all the pipes in a water-based system need to fill with hot water before it can start heating your home evenly. On the other hand, the wires in an electric system will heat up much faster. Electric systems can also utilise heating mats to heat larger areas more efficiently.
How much does underfloor heating cost?
Underfloor heating systems are nearly always more expensive than conventional central heating configurations. More materials are needed to construct them, and they are more labour intensive to install than most other types of central heating. However, if you can overcome those increased upfront costs, electric underfloor heating can prove much cheaper to run than other heating systems. You can reduce your installation costs by installing the system yourself.
Whether electric underfloor heating is the best value option for you will depend on your property's size and the area you want to heat. Electric underfloor heating costs more to heat every square metre of space, but it is cheaper to install. Many people combine the two for the best results.

How much underfloor heating is needed?
To work out your costs accurately, you need to know precisely how much floor space you will be heating. To work out the requirements for every room in your home, measure the room's length and width to work out its area, then subtract the measurements of any fixed appliances. Once you know exactly what area you have to heat, you can work out how much underfloor wiring you need and how much it will cost to install it.
The image below is a great guide for working out how much underfloor heating you're going to need for your heating system.

Are you ready for underfloor heating?
The type of flooring you have can impact how efficiently any underfloor heating system operates. If you have wooden flooring, you should aim to place a 2-3mm layer of polythene foam between your underfloor heating and the flooring. With the wood laid flat atop the foam, it can expand and contract naturally, with the foam absorbing the additional pressure.
Remember that wood is a poor heat conductor. Heavier, denser woods offer a better heat output, whereas lighter woods can hamper your system's performance. Adding a rug on top of a wooden floor will further dampen the effectiveness of your underfloor heating system's effectiveness and should be avoided.
Carpet is a very effective insulator. The thicker your carpets are, the more wiring you'll need beneath the floor to compensate. If your carpet's combined thermal resistance rating (or tog) is greater than 1.5, you'll need to replace it with a less insulating alternative.
Flag, stone, and marble floors pair very well with electric underfloor heating systems. Their high thermal mass makes them very effective conductors and makes it much easier to finetune the temperature than other flooring types. Ceramic and terracotta tiles provide similar benefits but need to be laid with a suitable tile adhesive and grouting that is compatible with underfloor heating systems and allows for some movement.
Electric underfloor heating systems can be much more cost-effective to install and run than other central heating types, but they aren't suitable for every type of property. Before you invest in electric underfloor heating, work out exactly how large the area you're heating is and the type of flooring you have.
You can always use electric underfloor heating in some parts of your home while using other methods to heat the rest. Most people will achieve the best results, and the lowest energy bills, by combining different systems together. Using a single heating system throughout the entirety of your home might seem more straightforward, but unless your home is relatively small and your flooring is uniform throughout, this is rarely the most cost-effective way to go.
If you're looking for a heating system that can warm your home rapidly, keep your energy bills low, and make your floors toasty warm beneath your feet, an electric underfloor heating system could be the perfect addition to your home.
How does your flooring affect underfloor heating?
The type of flooring you have can impact how efficiently any underfloor heating system operates. If you have wooden flooring, you should aim to place a 2-3mm layer of polythene foam between your underfloor heating and the flooring. With the wood laid flat atop the foam, it can expand and contract naturally, with the foam absorbing the additional pressure.
Remember that wood is a poor heat conductor. Heavier, denser woods offer a better heat output, whereas lighter woods can hamper your system's performance. Adding a rug on top of a wooden floor will further dampen the effectiveness of your underfloor heating system's effectiveness and should be avoided.
Carpet is a very effective insulator. The thicker your carpets are, the more wiring you'll need beneath the floor to compensate. If your carpet's combined thermal resistance rating (or tog) is greater than 1.5, you'll need to replace it with a less insulating alternative.
Flag, stone, and marble floors pair very well with electric underfloor heating systems. Their high thermal mass makes them very effective conductors and makes it much easier to finetune the temperature than other flooring types. Ceramic and terracotta tiles provide similar benefits but need to be laid with a suitable tile adhesive and grouting that is compatible with underfloor heating systems and allows for some movement.

Choosing A Thermostat For Your Underfloor Heating System
When it comes to choosing a thermostat for your underfloor heating system you will need to have a think what you need. For example our Smart Home Thermostat will allow you to control your heating from your smart home and can work out economically sounder as it can include a 7 day heating schedule.

Take a look at our range of underfloor heating thermostats.
Our Thermosphere Underfloor Heating
Theremosphere is our go-to supplier of underfloor heating. With their mission within heating that is it should be the last thing you think about and the first thing you feel. With expertise, a broad range of solutions and amazing reviews. We knew we had to bring them on for our heating range.
Underfloor Heating Mesh Kit
ThermoSphere Mesh has been at the forefront of product innovation, it was in fact the first electric underfloor heating mesh system to feature a fully self-adhesive element. It was also the first mesh system to introduce a 200W per metre square output capability.
You'll find this product is first in its class to feature a twisted double core heating cable, designed to reduce stress on the cable which is the only one in the market today!
Underfloor Heating Membrane & Cable Kit
Thermosphere Membrane is the most innovative way to heat your flooring. It consists of a decoupling membrane layer that encases an innovative electric heating cable. The twisted twin cable technology is the best on the market, the cables are stronger and designed to reduce stress which makes installation easier!
Underfloor Heating Foil System Kit
ThermoSphere Foil is an electric underfloor heating system made for high-performance under wood, carpet, and vinyl floors. The foil system is perfect for bedrooms, living, and dining rooms meaning you can enjoy the warmth and comfort that only an electric underfloor heating system can bring in your entire home.
ThermoSphere Foil is in league with the rest of our floor heating products with regards to innovation. In 2015 it became the first fully earthed foil electric underfloor heating system in the UK to feature easily accessible cable loops designed to assist with an easier installation.