Underfloor Heating: How Does It Work and How Is It Regulated?

Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular and is now standard in low-energy new builds. Discover the advantages of this type of heating and how to regulate it properly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is a heating system located beneath the floor. It can be either water-based or electric. Water-based systems have lower operating costs, but you need to account for raising the floor level and, if installed on an upper floor, the load on the ceiling structure. Electric underfloor heating has a lower initial cost, but you will pay more for energy.

The main advantages of underfloor heating include:

Thermal Comfort: Underfloor heating evenly heats even large rooms. The radiant heat from the floor is also very pleasant. Additionally, underfloor heating ensures optimal humidity and lower dust levels indoors, which is particularly appreciated by allergy sufferers.
Space Saving: With underfloor heating, unsightly radiators that are difficult to clean will not obstruct your living space. This is an advantage not only in terms of functionality but also in interior design.
Lower Energy Consumption: With underfloor heating, you can maintain a temperature 1-2 degrees lower than with radiators without losing the desired thermal comfort. This significantly saves on energy costs.

Underfloor heating evenly heats even large rooms

And what are the disadvantages of underfloor heating? It is necessary to consider the installation of this type of heating in advance and adapt the type of flooring and heating source to it. It is also not recommended to place large pieces of furniture on underfloor heating, so plan the room layout in advance. Underfloor heating is not suitable for uninsulated buildings.

The heating source must be low-temperature to prevent the system from overheating. An ideal choice is a heat pump or a gas condensing boiler, while solid fuel boilers are unsuitable.
The floor should have low thermal resistance. Tiles have the best properties for underfloor heating. Other types of flooring (linoleum, vinyl, parquet, carpets, laminate, etc.) can also be used, but it is necessary to ensure they have the appropriate certification for underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is not suitable under thick carpets and solid wood floors.

Specifics of Underfloor Heating Regulation

Underfloor heating can be regulated using thermostats. In practice, weather-compensated control is sometimes installed in combination with a thermostat. Thermostats for underfloor heating are specific and not just any thermostat can be used.

When setting the thermostat, it is necessary to consider the high thermal inertia of underfloor heating, i.e., its slow response. This means it takes longer for the room to heat up, but it also cools down more slowly. Therefore, frequent and large temperature changes are not advisable.

As mentioned above, with underfloor heating, lower temperatures are sufficient. Set 20°C in the living room and children's room, 16°C in the bedroom, and 22°C in the bathroom. Even lower temperatures around 15°C are sufficient in the kitchen, hallway, and utility room.

How to Choose a Room Thermostat for Underfloor Heating

The basic parameter is the size of the property, the number of underfloor heating loops, and the number of rooms to be heated. Based on this, choose the appropriate number of thermal actuators and thermostats. You can then control the temperature in each zone separately.

Control can be either via a dial or a touch screen. Modern WiFi thermostats for underfloor heating can also be controlled remotely using a mobile app or even a voice assistant.

Smart thermostats have a range of features that optimize the operation of the heating system and energy consumption. For example, setting a time program allows you to fully automate heating operation based on your usual daily and weekly routine. Some models, such as the Danfoss Icon2, also take into account the time needed to heat up and cool down the underfloor heating, further enhancing comfort.

Smart Underfloor Heating Danfoss Icon

Maintenance of Underfloor Heating

In the case of quality underfloor heating and professional installation, this type of heating is completely maintenance-free. Similarly, the thermostat does not require maintenance. Underfloor heating is quite demanding to install, and you can use one of the installation partners. We recommend purchasing an emergency safety thermostat for underfloor heating.

If you have water-based underfloor heating, do not forget about boiler maintenance. The boiler needs to be regularly professionally inspected and cleaned; this is a legal requirement. The circulation pump for underfloor heating can be protected from clogging by installing a magnetic filter.

Choose a Suitable Smart Underfloor Heating System