Underfloor Heating
Hydronic underfloor heating is a highly efficient and comfortable way to warm your home by circulating heated water through a network of pipes installed beneath the floor. This system provides consistent radiant heat, eliminating cold spots and creating a cosy living environment. Unlike traditional heating methods, hydronic underfloor heating warms the entire room evenly from the ground up, offering superior comfort and energy efficiency.
Here’s why homeowners love it:
Energy Efficient & Cost-Effective – Hydronic heating uses water to transfer heat, which is significantly more efficient than air-based heating. It operates at lower temperatures while maintaining optimal warmth, reducing energy consumption and lowering your heating bills.
Consistent & Even Heating – No more cold spots or uneven warmth. The heat radiates evenly from the floor, ensuring a comfortable temperature throughout every room.
Healthier Indoor Air Quality – Unlike forced-air systems that circulate dust, allergens, and dry air, hydronic heating provides a clean and hypoallergenic environment, perfect for allergy sufferers.
Silent Operation – Enjoy total warmth without the noise of fans, ducts, or blowers. Hydronic systems run silently in the background, making your home a peaceful retreat.
Aesthetic & Space-Saving – With no bulky radiators or vents, hydronic heating is entirely hidden beneath your floors, giving you complete design freedom and more usable space.
Eco-Friendly – Hydronic heating pairs perfectly with solar, geothermal, and heat pump technology, reducing your carbon footprint and making your home more sustainable.
Versatile Installation Options – Hydronic heating can be installed under various flooring types, including tile, timber, concrete, and carpet. Each room can be individually controlled so you can decide which areas to heat.
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Types of Hydronic Underfloor Heating for Homes
Hydronic underfloor heating systems can be tailored to different homes and construction types. The most common installation methods include:
In-Slab Heating
This system is embedded within the concrete slab of the home during construction. Water is heated and circulated through pipes that are laid on wire mesh before the concrete is poured. The slab acts like a thermal battery – by retaining the energy and slowly releasing heat over time. Ideal for new builds, in-slab heating provides long-lasting, consistent warmth with minimal energy consumption.
In-Screed or Topping-Slab Heating
A topping slab method is perfect for existing homes and renovations where the pipes are laid onto an insulation board and a concrete screed is installed over the pipes. This allows for quicker heat-up times compared to in-slab systems and is well-suited for homes where greater temperature control is needed. This option allows for easier installation in existing homes without the need for major construction.
Cooling the slab is also possible by running chilled water through the pipes, but condensation can be an issue and humidity levels must be controlled.
Underfloor heating systems are not as reactive as ducted air systems because the slab takes longer to heat up or cool down. The underfloor heating runs at lower temperatures for longer periods of time, heating up the slab, which then acts as a thermal mass and retains the heat for hours. But once the desired temperature is reached, it is the most luxurious form of heating for humans. In fact, it is one of the features our clients consistently mention when asked what they like best about their hydronic heating and cooling systems.
However, the slab must be well insulated or most of the heat will be lost into the ground or through the external walls, doors and windows.
Elevate Your Comfort with Hydronic Underfloor Heating
Hydronic underfloor heating paired with a ground source or air source heat pump is a smart, energy-efficient choice for homeowners looking for superior comfort and sustainability. Whether you’re building a new home or upgrading your heating system, this innovative solution offers warmth like no other.
Learn more about how hydronic underfloor heating can transform your home.