Expert Eye: Everything You Need to Know About Underfloor Heating
Renovation and interiors specialist Sarah Comerford reveals the costs, types and considerations of underfloor heating
There’s a lot to love about underfloor heating: it’s silent, efficient and allergy friendly, and it produces a wonderfully gentle heat that no other system can replicate. Plus it feels sensational underfoot. If you’re considering installing underfloor heating in your reno or new build, here’s what you need to know.
Installation Costs
Installing underfloor heating costs less than you might expect. An electric in-screed underfloor heating system in an average-sized bathroom, for example, can cost as little as $700, plus installation. The system comes with coils, a mat and an electronic thermostat.
The cost is based on a square metre rate, plus a two-part installation process – laying the coils and then installing the power source to connect them. In-screed systems can be DIY-installed, but you’ll still need a licensed electrician to run power to the system, install the timer and temperature controller.
Installing underfloor heating costs less than you might expect. An electric in-screed underfloor heating system in an average-sized bathroom, for example, can cost as little as $700, plus installation. The system comes with coils, a mat and an electronic thermostat.
The cost is based on a square metre rate, plus a two-part installation process – laying the coils and then installing the power source to connect them. In-screed systems can be DIY-installed, but you’ll still need a licensed electrician to run power to the system, install the timer and temperature controller.
What to Consider
There are several different types of underfloor heating systems to choose from. What you select will depend on your budget, the intended location and flooring type.
Bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and entertainment rooms are the most common spots to install underfloor heating. It is possible to install underfloor heating throughout an entire home, but this would generally need to be planned well in advance, during the pre-building phase.
There are several different types of underfloor heating systems to choose from. What you select will depend on your budget, the intended location and flooring type.
Bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and entertainment rooms are the most common spots to install underfloor heating. It is possible to install underfloor heating throughout an entire home, but this would generally need to be planned well in advance, during the pre-building phase.
Suitable Floor Types
Natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, laminate, vinyl and engineered timber flooring are all suitable for underfloor heating. Materials such as solid timber, timber veneer and carpet are compatible with underfloor heating too, but you’ll need to speak to a specialist about choosing an appropriate system.
Compare tiled and timber flooring
Natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, laminate, vinyl and engineered timber flooring are all suitable for underfloor heating. Materials such as solid timber, timber veneer and carpet are compatible with underfloor heating too, but you’ll need to speak to a specialist about choosing an appropriate system.
Compare tiled and timber flooring
Understanding the Different Systems
There are two types of underfloor heating to choose from – electric and hydronic (hot water).
Electric
Electric underfloor heating is the most common type. A long, low-voltage electric cable is coiled beneath the floor’s surface or installed in the form of a mat or mesh. Electric systems are safe to use in all rooms, including wet ones such as bathrooms.
There are two types of underfloor heating to choose from – electric and hydronic (hot water).
Electric
Electric underfloor heating is the most common type. A long, low-voltage electric cable is coiled beneath the floor’s surface or installed in the form of a mat or mesh. Electric systems are safe to use in all rooms, including wet ones such as bathrooms.
There are a number of different electric systems to choose from.
In-screed systems: Heating coils are placed on top of the waterproofing membrane and beneath a layer of screed (a sand and cement mix that is used to level the floor). The screed is poured directly over the coils, encasing and protecting them, and removing any air gaps.
This type of system is cost-effective, safe and reliable, and it’s the one I recommend to my clients. The system from Sydney Floorheating that we specify also has an alarm that alerts you if the coil breaks, giving the installer a chance to replace it before the floor is laid (and saving a considerable amount of time and hassle in the process).
In-screed systems: Heating coils are placed on top of the waterproofing membrane and beneath a layer of screed (a sand and cement mix that is used to level the floor). The screed is poured directly over the coils, encasing and protecting them, and removing any air gaps.
This type of system is cost-effective, safe and reliable, and it’s the one I recommend to my clients. The system from Sydney Floorheating that we specify also has an alarm that alerts you if the coil breaks, giving the installer a chance to replace it before the floor is laid (and saving a considerable amount of time and hassle in the process).
Under-tile systems: Here, the coils are placed directly beneath the floor. As the coils are so close to the surface, these systems heat rooms slightly faster than other electric systems. But they are more fragile and susceptible to damage. This is an important consideration because if the coil gets damaged during installation, the entire cable will need to be replaced.
In-slab systems: The coils are embedded directly into the concrete slab with this system. It’s a popular and cost-effective choice for new builds.
Hot tips for a cosy home
Hot tips for a cosy home
Hydronic
With hydronic (hot water) systems, heating pipes are embedded in the concrete slab. These circulate warm water, which emits radiant heat to the floor surface. These systems are generally used in large spaces, and are particularly appealing to those looking to reduce their electricity usage. It should be noted that hydronic systems are significantly more expensive to install than electric ones, but once installed they can be powered by energy-efficient means such as natural gas, LPG, solar and even heat pumps.
With hydronic (hot water) systems, heating pipes are embedded in the concrete slab. These circulate warm water, which emits radiant heat to the floor surface. These systems are generally used in large spaces, and are particularly appealing to those looking to reduce their electricity usage. It should be noted that hydronic systems are significantly more expensive to install than electric ones, but once installed they can be powered by energy-efficient means such as natural gas, LPG, solar and even heat pumps.
The Power of Insulation
While insulation won’t increase a room’s temperature, it will help keep the warmth produced by your underfloor heating system where you want it. Insulating your floors will also make your system run more efficiently – according to the Australian government’s Your Energy Savings website, insulating your floor can prevent up to 20 per cent of heat escaping. Combining underfloor heating with insulation is highly recommended, and is a straightforward job if done during the construction phase.
While insulation won’t increase a room’s temperature, it will help keep the warmth produced by your underfloor heating system where you want it. Insulating your floors will also make your system run more efficiently – according to the Australian government’s Your Energy Savings website, insulating your floor can prevent up to 20 per cent of heat escaping. Combining underfloor heating with insulation is highly recommended, and is a straightforward job if done during the construction phase.
Get Your Floor Measurements Right
The heating coil is cut to fit, so make sure you measure up carefully. Remember that you only need to factor in the floor area you want to heat and not the entire room. You don’t need to include, for example, the parts of the floor where the bath, shower and toilet are positioned. If unsure, you can send your floor plans to your underfloor heating company and they will advise you on the right measurements.
See more gorgeous modern bathrooms
The heating coil is cut to fit, so make sure you measure up carefully. Remember that you only need to factor in the floor area you want to heat and not the entire room. You don’t need to include, for example, the parts of the floor where the bath, shower and toilet are positioned. If unsure, you can send your floor plans to your underfloor heating company and they will advise you on the right measurements.
See more gorgeous modern bathrooms
Running Costs
The running costs of underfloor heating vary depending on the type of system you’ve chosen, how warm you want the room to be, the price you pay for electricity, and the heat load of your floor system (watts). But as an example, Sydney Floorheating estimates the cost to run an electric underfloor heating system in an average-sized bathroom is approximately $50 per month, a very tempting luxury on those chilly winter mornings.
The running costs of underfloor heating vary depending on the type of system you’ve chosen, how warm you want the room to be, the price you pay for electricity, and the heat load of your floor system (watts). But as an example, Sydney Floorheating estimates the cost to run an electric underfloor heating system in an average-sized bathroom is approximately $50 per month, a very tempting luxury on those chilly winter mornings.
Tell us
Is underfloor heating on your wish list? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it or bookmark it. Join the conversation.
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Is underfloor heating on your wish list? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it or bookmark it. Join the conversation.
More
Read more renovating stories
Underfloor heating produces a gentle, even heat that eliminates any cold spots in a room. The latest systems can be controlled by both temperature and zone, allowing you to keep running costs to a minimum.
With these systems, the coils or pipes are placed beneath the sub-floor, so they’re best installed when you’re building or renovating. Retrofitting is sometimes possible, but it can be difficult and expensive.
If you’re considering underfloor heating, the first step is to speak to an expert about your options. Then, once you’ve made a decision, be sure to engage a tradesperson who has experience installing the system you’ve chosen.