Underfloor Heating

Yes, underfloor heating typically runs at far lower flow temperatures than radiators, meaning the boiler can operate more efficiently. Underfloor heating also works particularly well with other eco-friendly, low temperature technologies like heat pumps.

Both warm water and electric underfloor heating have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the needs of your project.

You can expect warm water underfloor heating to be more cost effective to run, but to have a higher upfront cost, whereas electric underfloor heating is generally cheaper to install, but far more costly to run.

So, for heating a whole house, warm water underfloor heating would be more cost effective in the long run. However, to heat a small single room like a bathroom or kitchen, an electric underfloor heating system may be more suitable.

Find out more about the differences between electric and warm water underfloor heating.

Underfloor heating works by passing warm water through a series of pipes in the floor. This gently heats the floor and emits heat out into the room.

Unlike radiators which heat the air around the radiator, which then rises to the ceiling creating a convection current, underfloor heating delivers radiant heat across the whole of the floor area, delivering the heat more efficiently to where you need it.

Underfloor heating can be used successfully with heat pumps, due to them both working most efficiently at lower temperatures. We provide air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, which can be fully integrated into your underfloor heating system.

Yes, our warm water underfloor heating systems can be fed from any boiler system.

Yes, in fact, it is recommended! Underfloor heating works extremely well with heat pumps, because it emits heat from such a large surface area, it means can pair your UFH with an air source heat pump or a ground source heat pump for a more environmentally-friendly solution, getting peak efficiency from both your heat pump and underfloor heating.

No. If you are renovating, you don’t need to dig up your floors to install UFH!

There are various different systems and installation options, including low profile overlay solutions, like our LoPro^® range with a height build-up as low as 15mm. These are simply installed over existing solid or timber floors. Your choice of tiles or laminate can then be laid directly over the system.

How you control your UFH depends on the type of system you have. Screed UFH is usually left on with a setback temperature. This helps the concrete slab to act as a thermal store, avoiding long heat up times and keeping running costs low. Retrofit UFH heats up and cools down quickly, so can be controlled more like a radiator system.

Find out more about controlling your underfloor heating system.

Any pipework supplied by us for use in our systems is guaranteed with an insurance backed warranty for 50 years. Our other plumbing and electrical components offer warranty periods ranging from 2 to 10 years.

As well as this, all Nu-Heat systems come with lifetime technical support from our Technical Support Team who can help with any queries you may have.

Underfloor heating is an established and trusted way to heat a home, and when you get your system from Nu-Heat you are also getting lifetime technical support from a dedicated Technical Support Team. Not only this but your system will be backed by our product guarantees, giving you the peace of mind that if anything does go wrong, we’ll be here to help.

It’s incredibly unlikely that the system will leak.

Our Fastflo^® heating tube is strong and durable, manufactured in line with the highest European Industry Standards. This is covered by a 50 year warranty with the first 10 years being insurance backed, covering complete cost of any remedial works and reinstatement in the very rare event of a manufacturing fault.

We also design systems so that the tube only ever connects at the manifold – there are no joins under the floor whatsoever – meaning there are no weak points where leaks can occur.

Yes, as all serviceable parts are located above the ground at the manifold, repairing underfloor heating is usually pretty simple. Additionally, when you work with Nu-Heat, your system will come with lifetime technical support from our dedicated Technical Support Team who are on hand to help if you need them.

Yes, we have a dedicated Technical Support Team who are happy to help with any technical queries you may have, what’s more, this support is available for the full lifetime of your system.

A good underfloor heating design is essential. When you get an underfloor heating design from Nu-Heat you can be sure that all heat losses, characteristics and requirements of your project have been fully analysed, calculated and taken into consideration.

This allows us to create a design for your system that will ensure it works at peak efficiency, keeps running costs down and warms the property effectively all year round.

This depends on the size of the property and the most suitable underfloor heating system for the project. Underfloor heating is around 25% more energy efficient than radiators – it can actually save money on your heating bills. For more information, including average prices per m², see how much underfloor heating costs to run.

Underfloor heating can be used under most floor coverings, including carpet, tiles, engineered wood, vinyl and laminate flooring. If you’re unsure check the suitability with your flooring supplier. Read more about the best floor coverings for UFH

Does underfloor heating warm rooms up faster than radiators? Retrofit underfloor heating that sits on top of the floor warms up very quickly, on par with a radiator system. UFH that is set within a screed can take longer to heat initially, but retains its heat for longer and is easily programmed to provide the right amount of heat exactly when needed.

When installed correctly, underfloor heating can heat up in as little as 30 minutes, though this can vary depending on the type of system you have, how cold the room is to begin with and other factors.

Underfloor heating is usually installed by a plumber or a Nu-Heat Registered Installer, but some DIYers choose to fit most of the system themselves, with signoff from a qualified plumber and electrician, as our manuals are fully comprehensive. The specific installation steps vary depending on the system. Find out how to install UFH.

Yes, as the surface temperature of the floor will only reach 29°C, it’s safe to put furniture wherever you want.

Once your underfloor heating is installed there is very little maintenance involved. Like most heating systems, it’s a good idea to have the system checked annually just to make sure it is working as it should be.

Use our find a local service partner page if you’re looking to maintain your system and are looking for someone to carry out a service for you.

The manifold is the distribution point for all the pipework going into the floor. If a room requires heat, the thermostat will send a signal to a valve on the underfloor heating manifold which will open and allow warm water to circulate in the floor heating the room.

Yes, underfloor heating can add value to a house as it offers a more efficient heating system, the luxurious feel of warm floors and a lot more flexibility in interior design.

UFH can replace radiators completely, or work alongside them, depending on your type of property. New builds are ideal for installing underfloor heating throughout – it’s 25% more energy efficient than radiators. UFH can also be installed on all floors of your renovation property.

Yes, as long as you have a two-port zone valve to separate the underfloor heating and radiator systems, you can run the two from the same boiler.

Yes, underfloor heating is a great option if you are looking to replace a radiator system. If you are considering this, it’s a good idea to speak to a Nu-Heat Account Manager, who will be able to talk you through the best UFH options for your project.

Yes. It’s very unlikely you will need to have radiators and underfloor heating in the same space, but it’s possible to run a radiator circuit and an underfloor heating system in the same house from the same boiler. Many people choose to have underfloor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs, for example.

In a well-designed underfloor heating system, the heat output should satisfy the full heating demand of the property, so there should be no need for radiators or additional heat emitters.

Energy used depends on a range of factors, including the size of your home, insulation levels, and the type of underfloor heating system you install. We use state-of-the-art software to ensure your UFH is designed to be energy efficient.

As with any heating system, if the property is poorly insulated it will require more energy to keep it warm. We would always recommend improving insulation if this is possible, as this helps to create a more efficient system that keeps running costs low.

When retrofitting underfloor heating, it’s often not necessary to add insulation to a concrete slab as downward heat loss is minimal. If, however, you will be installing UFH over a suspended timber floor with a void beneath it, insulation is absolutely essential.

When designing your bespoke UFH system, we take into account your property’s construction, insulation and glazing levels to ensure the system will perform.

Our ultimate guide to UFH and insulation offers further information.

Our UFH tubes come with a 50-year product warranty, with the first 10 years insurance backed to cover any remedial works. Underfloor heating manifolds have a 10-year warranty, while electrical and plumbing components have 2-year warranty.

If you’re adding underfloor heating to your existing central heating or radiator system, you will need a separate thermostat for UFH. However, our underfloor integrates with an existing system, or you can control your UFH and central heating together by fitting a radiator manifold. We offer a wide range of underfloor heating thermostats, from standard dials to smartphone-controlled wireless models.

Underfloor heating is usually controlled by wall-mounted thermostats. Nu-Heat systems typically have one thermostat per room, allowing you to control the temperature of each individual room. For further flexibility this can also be paired with our neoHub+ which allows you to control your heating from your phone, no matter how near or far you are, as well as integrate your controls with GoogleHome, Apple HomeKit or Alexa.

Underfloor heating is safer and healthier than radiators, as exposed hot surfaces are hidden and dust traps removed. They offer a controlled and comfortable heat source, helping to eliminate draughts and cold spots in your home.