UNDERFLOOR HEATING AND HEAT PUMPS

A more subtle way to heat your home, this option is ideal for smaller rooms or if you want a minimalistic design scheme. Choose between a wet system, which involves pumping water from the central-heating system through pipes underneath the floor, or a dry system, which uses electric cabling connected to the mains supply. Underfloor heating also works well with a ground-source heat pump, which utilises the heat found naturally underground to warm up pipes via an exchanger. This is a cheaper and more eco-friendly option than electrical heating, and you could be eligible for payments from the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme (gov.uk/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive). Underfloor heating works best with hard floor surfaces, such as ceramic, wood or stone, and especially well in a bathroom, kitchen or conservatory. It’s initially more costly to install (ideal if you are building a new extension or laying a new floor), but is cheaper to run than other types of heating.

Underfloor heating systems can be laid beneath tiled flooring or wooden boards. Not only does it provide welcoming warmth

underfoot, but it also removes the need for additional heat sources in small rooms, freeing up wall space