There are many pros to having underfloor heating installed in your home. It saves space and looks good as the need for radiators is eliminated giving you complete interior design freedom. It is also usually cheaper to run. The questions is - do you go for a wet or dry system. In other words, do you want an electric underfloor heating stystem or one with plumbing and pipes?
To help you out with this we will go through the pros and cons of each system so you can make an informed decision.
Wet systems
Pros
- Extremely efficient to run and works at low temperatures
- Usually cheaper to run than dry systems
- Can use a variety of heat sources to run, meaning renewable energey sources, such as air source or ground source heat pumps
- Ideal for use alongside heat pumps to get optimal efficiency
- Traditionally included in new builds however can be laid over existing flooring, making them ideal for renovations projects
Cons
- Initial install costs can be quite high
- Pipes can be difficult to access should there be any issues
Dry systems
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive to install
- Easier to install as there is no pipework
- Easily installed on upper floors
- Heats up quickly
- Better suited for smaller areas
Cons
- Very expensive to run
- Placement of furniture and heavy items needs to be done carefully
- Although this system heats up quicker, it also loses heat a lot faster than wet systems
So... which system should you go for?
This really does depend on your circumstances. If you have cheap electricity, with a solar or wind system, then electric underfloor heating may be competitive as an option. It certainly is cheap to install. If you are on the gas grid or able to go for a heat pump, then wet underfloor heating is a clear winner, especially for long term payback.
Electric heating can still be useful as an additional heating system to keep the bathroom floor warm for example, but it really shouldn’t be used as a main heating system unless you fall into a pretty specific category.
