Electric underfloor heating
Electric systems put a thin heating mat or cable under the floor finish. They suit smaller areas, single rooms and tight retrofits such as bathrooms, en suites and kitchens, where a wet system would be more than the space needs.
When electric makes sense
Electric underfloor heating is quick to install and adds almost no height, so it is a good fit for a bathroom refit or a single room where you want warm floors without rebuilding the floor. It is usually run as a dedicated circuit with its own thermostat.
For larger areas, open plan spaces and whole houses, a wet system is normally the better choice. It is more efficient to run over a big floor area and works with your boiler or heat pump. If you are not sure which is right, tell us about the space and we will talk it through.
What an electric system is made of
A heating mat or cable is laid under the floor finish and connected to a thermostat, with a sensor in the floor so the temperature is controlled for that area. Because the system is thin, it adds almost no height and suits floors that cannot be raised.
Rooms where it works well
- Bathrooms and en suites
- Kitchens and utility rooms
- Single rooms added to an existing home
- Smaller areas where a wet system would be more than the space needs
Floor finishes
Tiles and stone are the most common finish over electric underfloor heating because they carry heat well. Other finishes can be used too, so check the guidance from the manufacturer of your chosen finish and tell us your plans early.
What we do
- Supply and install, or install a system that has already been bought
- Set out mats or cable to suit the room and floor finish
- Connect to the thermostat and controls
- Advice on the electrical supply the system needs
The project photos elsewhere on this site are wet systems, which are the bulk of our work. Ask us about recent electric jobs when you get in touch.
Electric underfloor heating questions
Wet or electric underfloor heating, which is right for my project?
It depends on the space and how it is being built. Wet systems are the usual choice for whole rooms, extensions, renovations and new builds. They run off your boiler or heat pump and are efficient to run over large areas. Electric systems suit smaller areas, single rooms and some situations where build up height is very tight. Tell us about your project and we will talk you through the options.
Which floor finishes work with underfloor heating?
Many finishes can be used, including tiles, stone, engineered wood, vinyl and carpet with a suitable underlay. Some, such as thick carpet or solid wood, need more thought than tiles or stone. Check the guidance from the manufacturer of the finish you have chosen and tell us your plans early.
How are the controls arranged?
Wet systems connect to a manifold that feeds each circuit, and the controls are set up so that rooms or zones can be managed to suit how you use them. Electric systems use a thermostat for each heated area. We set up the controls and show you how to use them.
Where does electric underfloor heating make sense?
Electric systems, which use a heating mat or cable under the floor finish, suit bathrooms, single rooms and smaller areas where a wet system would be more than the space needs. For larger areas and whole houses a wet system is usually the better choice.
Can I have underfloor heating in just one room?
Yes. A single room such as a bathroom or kitchen can have its own system. For a whole floor or a whole house a wet system is normally planned as a set of circuits.
Planning underfloor heating? Let’s talk it through.
Tell us about the project and we’ll come back to you with what we need to know and where to go next.