Is Electric or Water Underfloor Heating Better?
The popularity of underfloor heating systems has been steadily increasing in recent years, and we are often recommending a mixture of underfloor heating solutions and aluminium radiator systems to our clients. However, when it comes to the underfloor heating part of the recommendation, the difference between electric and water systems can be confusing. In this blog, we’ll examine the pros and cons of each to determine whether electric or water underfloor heating is the best choice out of the two.
How Does Underfloor Heating Work?
Underfloor heating systems work by distributing heat around the room from the ground level through one of two systems. Electric systems make use of heating cables or mats beneath your flooring, while water-based underfloor heating uses a network of pipes running warm water from a boiler or heat pump system in a similar way to a radiator. In both cases, underfloor heating provides a room with even heating across the entire area, creating a comfortable environment throughout.
Electric Underfloor Heating Pros and Cons
Pros of Electric Underfloor Heating:
- Ease of Installation – One of the key benefits of electric underfloor heating is that it is quick and simple to install.
- Lower Initial Cost – Installing electric underfloor heating is less expensive upfront than a water-based system. This is mostly due to the fact that it is quicker to install than a water underfloor heating system.
Cons of Electric Underfloor Heating:
- Higher Operating Costs – Electric underfloor heating systems are notoriously expensive to run, often being more expensive than gas heating systems.
- Environmental Impact – Compared to water-based systems, electric underfloor heating solutions are less environmentally friendly. Water-based systems, especially when paired with a heat pump, are much better at reducing your carbon emissions.
Water Underfloor Heating Pros and Cons
Pros of Water Underfloor Heating:
- Energy Efficiency – Water-based underfloor heating systems are much more energy efficient than their electric counterparts, especially when paired with high-efficiency boilers or air to water heat pump systems.
- Lower Operating Costs – When you’re comparing whether electric or water underfloor heating systems are going to be cheaper to run over time, water-based systems are going to win every time. There are significant savings in operating costs to be enjoyed with a water underfloor heating system.
- Compatibility with Renewable Energy – Water underfloor heating can integrate seamlessly with sustainable energy sources. Heat pump systems in particular are ideal to pair up with this kind of heating.
Cons of Water Underfloor Heating:
- Higher Initial Cost – The cost of installing water-based underfloor heating is higher than that of electric-based heating. This means that your initial investment cost will be higher than what is offered by other systems.
- Complex Installation – The installation of water underfloor heating is labour-intensive, often requiring professional training and equipment. It’s always recommended that you seek the assistance of trained professionals like us when handling jobs as complex as this.
So Which Is Better?
Ultimately, if we had to pick from electric or water underfloor heating we’d go with water every time. The lower operational cost over time coupled with the reduction in carbon emissions compared to an electric system are extremely important benefits of water-based underfloor heating. We believe that these qualities are much more important than the short-term convenience of electric underfloor heating systems, saving the environment and your money at the same time.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the professional Pipelife team for more information and expert guidance on renewable heating for your home.