For a long time, underfloor heating was considered a luxury, while cast-iron radiators mounted on the wall were standard in most homes. However, with the shift towards more sustainable heating systems such as heat pumps and solar thermal collectors, which have now become commonplace in new-build properties, underfloor heating is increasingly difficult to avoid.
The fact is that a warm floor is generally no more expensive, or only slightly more expensive, than radiator heating, as conventional radiators are formally known. Since underfloor heating allows warmth to rise from the floor and then radiate back from the walls and ceiling, it can maintain a more stable room temperature than a conventional heating system. Permanently cold feet also become a thing of the past.
Below, we have summarised further advantages and disadvantages of underfloor heating, as well as the circumstances in which wall or even ceiling heating may be a sensible option.
Surface Heating: Space-Saving and Environmentally Friendly
Underfloor heating systems generally work through permanently installed pipes in the floor, which ensure an even distribution of heat throughout the room. One strong argument in favour of underfloor heating is its environmental footprint, which is considerably smaller than that of conventional radiators.
Because underfloor heating distributes heat across the entire floor area, it operates much more efficiently than radiators and can therefore run at a lower temperature without affecting the perceived warmth or level of comfort. While radiators require a flow temperature of approximately 50 to 60 degrees Celsius due to their much smaller surface area, surface heating systems generally need only 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. This is not only better for the environment but can also reduce heating costs.
However, underfloor heating systems are more difficult to regulate. They take longer to heat up and also need more time to cool down again. This is partly due to the large surface area that must be heated and partly because the screed used in such systems stores a considerable amount of heat.
As a result, it is difficult to reduce the temperature significantly overnight with underfloor heating. Switching the system off completely at short notice on warm summer days can also be challenging. To a certain extent, this can be influenced by the thickness of the flooring: naturally, a thinner floor covering allows heat to pass through more quickly and efficiently.
Installing underfloor heating also affects the floor itself and the type of floor covering that can be used. Wooden or cork flooring, for example, requires a specially designed underfloor heating system. Where underfloor heating is slightly more expensive, this is often due to the additional insulation required.
Retrofitting underfloor heating, for example in an occupied period building, is possible but involves considerable effort. In such cases, property owners may be better advised to choose another type of heating system. However, different systems should not be combined. Such a combination is not only inefficient but also makes it more difficult to control the room temperature, which can cause heat to build up inside the property.
Wall Heating Provides an Excellent Indoor Climate
Similar to underfloor heating, wall heating systems use heating pipes installed inside the walls. These pipes are either integrated into drywall constructions or fitted directly onto the unfinished walls before being covered with a specially suitable plaster.
Once the heat has warmed the plaster or wall, the surface releases it into the room. According to experts, heat radiation from a wall surface is both more efficient and more comfortable than heat provided by conventional radiators or ceiling heating. Wall heating also has the practical benefit of warming the floors at the same time. Surveys have shown that this type of heating system is often rated as providing the most pleasant indoor climate.
One disadvantage, however, is that wall surfaces, and therefore the available heating area, are usually interrupted by windows. Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows may therefore require an additional source of heat.
Furniture must also not be placed directly in front of heated wall surfaces, which can make wall heating more difficult to incorporate into an interior design. Care must also be taken when hammering nails or drilling holes for wall plugs into a heated wall.
From an environmental perspective, however, wall heating stands out due to its high efficiency. Since the total heat-emitting surface is considerably larger than that of floor or ceiling heating, the system can operate at a temperature that is up to three degrees Celsius lower. This can also have a positive effect on heating costs.
Ceiling Heating Can Also Be Useful in Summer
Like the other two systems, ceiling heating is a type of surface heating that radiates warmth throughout the entire room. It is based on a supporting system of pipes carrying hot water.
One particular advantage is that, while the pipes can be integrated directly into the concrete ceiling of a new-build property, they can also be retrofitted relatively easily beneath an existing ceiling. They are then covered with an additional layer, such as concrete or plasterboard.
Compared with underfloor and wall heating, the entire surface of a ceiling heating system can emit heat without being obstructed by furniture, carpets or curtains.
Another useful benefit is that, when combined with a ground-source heat pump, ceiling heating can even be used to cool rooms during the summer.
There are therefore several alternatives to a conventional heating system consisting of individual radiators distributed throughout a property. Although the surface heating systems described above differ in certain respects, they all offer environmental advantages compared with compact radiators.
The same applies to their appearance. Since all surface heating systems are concealed behind the walls, ceiling or floor, they are practically invisible. They also circulate less dust than conventional radiators installed beneath window sills, which is an important consideration for people with allergies or asthma.
Finally, unlike conventional radiators, surface heating systems do not require regular cleaning.
