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Underfloor Heating - Electric vs Water

31 December 2013

During the winter months, it is clear why so many home owners choose to install underfloor heating in their conservatories. Without some form of efficient and comprehensive heating system, an extension to the house which is attractive in summer can become almost unusable in cold weather. The advantages of underfloor heating, such as the lack of unsightly radiators and the ability efficiently to heat the entire space from floor level upwards, make it an obvious choice.

However, simply choosing underfloor heating is not the end of the matter. It is important to consider the pros and cons of the different underfloor systems available for your conservatory. The main potential systems are electric and water-based underfloor heating, which offer slightly different benefits when compared to one another. Electric systems use a series of wires under your floor to heat the surface using an electric current. In contrast, water-based systems uses pipes to circulate hot water under the floor, which is provided by your main boiler.

The first factor to consider when choosing between these systems is the available space under the floor of your conservatory. If you have plenty of room, water-based underfloor heating won't be a problem. If space is limited, however, pipes will be difficult to install. In contrast, wiring takes up very little space, and can help you to avoid an unsightly raised floor. In addition, electric underfloor heating can easily adapt to any tight spaces caused by the layout of your extension.

Even if there is sufficient space to install water pipes under your conservatory, the relative difficulty of installation between underfloor systems should be considered. Very few DIY practitioners have the skill and expertise required to install a water-based system, which requires plumbing qualifications and the ability to hook the pipes up to your existing boiler. In contrast, experienced DIYers should be able to install electric underfloor heating mats and versatile loose wire systems themselves, with the aid of clear instructions.

Clearly, the ease of installation for electric systems when compared to water-based underfloor heating makes a significant difference to cost. Hiring a professional to install a water-based system can mean expenses amounting to many thousands of pounds, whilst the cost of a simple electric underfloor heating mat can be as little as £100. For anyone constructing their conservatory on restricted funds, this can make the difference between breaking the bank and coming in under budget.

For the environmentally conscious DIYer, the good news is that both types of underfloor heating systems are more eco-friendly than traditional radiators, as well as providing ongoing efficiency cost savings. In order to be really 'green', however, water-based systems should be based on the hot water generated by solar panels, which can also cost many thousands of pounds. Without solar panels, the savings from a water-based system can amount to just £20 per year. In contrast, electric systems can be run from the power provided by renewable energy companies, and the savings provided are slightly higher at £25 per year.