Driven largely by the need for greater levels of efficiency, underfloor heating (UFH) is now one of the fastest-growing sectors of home heating.
In the UK, 22% of all emissions are generated by homes, with heating systems accounting for a significant share of this. As the government continues its push towards net zero 2050 and prepares to implement the Future Homes Standard in 2028, UFH can help achieve those ambitions while also bringing greater comfort, aesthetics, and functionality to modern living spaces.
Recent updates to Building Regulations Part L and Part F were designed to improve energy efficiency in new homes, reduce carbon emissions, and support the transition to low-carbon heating. A key requirement is that new homes must be designed to operate efficiently at lower temperatures, with heating systems sized for a maximum flow temperature of 55°C.
This naturally supports the growing adoption of low-temperature renewable technologies and heating systems that perform efficiently at low-temperatures – such as UFH – are particularly well suited to meeting these requirements.
Alongside these regulatory updates, the Future Homes Standard (FHS), which will apply to all new homes from 2028, will push energy performance requirements even further, introducing significantly tighter carbon and energy-efficiency targets for new homes and effectively phasing out the use of gas boilers and other high-carbon heating systems in newbuild developments.
Ensuring low operating temperatures for heating systems is clearly a key part of the UK’s journey to improving energy efficiency in homes. As a solution that operates efficiently at much lower temperatures than radiators, works seamlessly with heat pumps, and will help homes to achieve FHS carbon reduction benchmarks, UFH can play a key role in helping homes meet future targets.
Choose your emitter wisely
With heat pumps set to become one of the more dominant heating systems in newbuild housing, emitter selection has never been more important. Not only does UFH operating at a lower temperature than radiators make it an ideal partner for heat pumps, but it also allows heating systems to operate more efficiently from day one – by up to 25% depending on system design and operating conditions.
When paired with a sustainable heat source technology, such as heat pumps, these gains can be even greater, with efficiency improvements of up to 40%.
The lower operating temperatures of UFH also leads to more stable and comfortable heating. Typically, radiators need to rapidly heat up to temperatures of around 65°C, often creating sharp temperature fluctuations that can be inefficient and uncomfortable for the homeowners. In contrast, UFH operates with only small temperature variations and provides a gentle and consistent level of warmth. This is because UFH delivers radiant heat that starts from the floor and rises throughout the room, to create an even warmth and a comfortable environment free of cold spots and draughts.
This even heat distribution helps to reduce air stratification and dust circulation, supporting a healthier indoor environment – an increasingly important consideration as wellbeing becomes a priority in modern housing design.
Lower flow temperatures also place less stress on the heating system components, which can help extend the system lifespan and reduce the overall energy demand.
From a usability perspective, UFH works quietly in the background to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and, by using the controls or smartphone app, homeowners can adjust heating schedules easily, ensuring warmth is delivered when and where it is needed most. For even greater flexibility, zoning capabilities give homeowners individual control over the temperature in every room, so heating and energy bills are not wasted on unused rooms.
Architecturally, UFH provides greater design freedom. Rather than being attached to the wall and potentially obstructed by furniture, as radiators often are, UFH and its pipework are invisible under the floor, and core elements such as the manifold can be hidden discreetly in cupboards. This transforms the aesthetics and functionality of living spaces and allows homeowners to configure rooms just how they like without being restricted by visible heating elements.
Although UFH requires an upfront investment, noticeable improvements in operating efficiency enable homeowners to realise tangible savings on their heating bills over time. Alongside that, a host of benefits – from comfort underfoot through to improved indoor air quality, to improved aesthetics – make UFH an increasingly attractive option for modern homes.
An ideal partner
For decades, radiators have been a familiar fixture in homes. However, as sustainability climbs higher on the agenda and low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps grow in popularity, there is a clear argument for why UFH is a suitable option for helping heat the next generation of homes.
Engaging manufacturers early in the design process can also help ensure system compatibility, effective zoning and optimal performance, which are all critical for achieving a highly efficient whole-system approach. www.johnguest.com/gb/en
Sam White is Technical Sales Engineer for RWC.
IN THE UK, 22% OF ALL EMISSIONS ARE GENERATED BY HOMES, WITH HEATING SYSTEMS ACCOUNTING FOR A SIGNIFICANT SHARE.