Wet underfloor heating installation & repair FAQs

No matter the size of your chosen installation area, wet underfloor heating systems are installed professionally by BHE’s expert heating engineers in Wigan, Leigh, Lancaster and Morecambe to heat your home differently.

Is a wet underfloor heating system right for you, is it expensive, and is it practical to have underfloor heating installed in your home? BHE’s experienced installation engineers answer your wet underfloor heating system FAQs.

What is wet underfloor heating? What makes it ‘wet’?

A wet underfloor heating system comprises a network of pipes connected to a mains water supply, and to a heat source such as a boiler. The pipework is a single structure which is laid into a bed of screed, inserted between your floorboards and the floor itself. Wet underfloor heating systems can cover the entire floor area of a room to give an even distribution of heat across the whole space.

These underfloor heating systems are ‘wet’ because they work by heating water which flows through the pipework, rather than using a heating element similar to the one you’d find in your kettle, which is a type used in some other underfloor heating systems.

How is wet underfloor heating different from other types of underfloor heating available?

Wet underfloor heating is the name given to a system which gets its heat from hot water, which flows through a network of pipes laid under a floor.

These systems are connected to the hot water supply produced by a boiler or a heat pump.

Producing lots of heat efficiently, a wet underfloor heating system is a great option for larger rooms and properties.

The other main type of underfloor heating uses a system of cables, which are heated when electricity passes through them. These ‘dry’ underfloor heating systems give you quick heat, but don’t hold the heat in as well as one which uses hot water. They are better suited to smaller rooms, such as a bathroom.

Because the system uses “radiant heat” - the heat generated in the water flowing through the pipework in the system - wet underfloor heating provides even heat across any floor area, avoiding cold spots. This makes a wet underfloor heating system up to 25% more efficient than radiators, increasing to 40% if you use the system with a heat pump rather than a boiler.

 

Installation of a wet underfloor heating system in the living space of a home, creating a warm & comforting environment

 

What are the main benefits of installing a wet underfloor heating system?

A professionally installed and properly maintained wet underfloor heating system helps to banish cold spots from any room, thanks to their even distribution of heat across a wide area. They’re great for kitchens, open plan living and dining spaces, bathrooms, wet rooms and conservatories in particular, but can be installed in any space in your home.

You may save money on your regular heating bills, as you’ll be less reliant on your radiators, and will instead be using an efficient heating system which can run at a lower temperature. Without the need for radiators, spaces are safer and more comfortable for young children, and you’ll be able to get more use out of your wall space too!

Wet underfloor heating is also considered a great asset which can even add to the value of your property.

How easy is wet underfloor heating to install, and will I need to have my floor dug up?

Usually, installing wet underfloor heating is pretty straightforward, but you will need a bit of forward planning to ensure your project goes smoothly.

Of course, the project will be much easier if you’re fitting your underfloor heating in a new-build property or as part of an extension project. But in an existing room, the pipes for your wet underfloor heating system may well fit under your existing floorboards.

A wet underfloor heating system works best when it is laid onto a layer of screed, which provides a secure bed to hold the pipework in place. Pouring the screed, letting it dry, and then laying the pipework on top will always work best if all these parts of the job are done together. So yes, you should expect to need your bathroom floor to be taken up – but this will result in the best quality installation, which will last many years.

Do I need to leave wet underfloor heating switched on all the time? Is there any danger if I forget to switch it off?

The best answer to this depends on the time of year. In winter, when you want your underfloor heating to respond quickly, it’s a good idea to keep it on a low setting, as this will help your system to respond more quickly when you turn up the temperature.

You won’t cause any damage to your system by leaving it switched on, but you should get into the habit of keeping it at the lowest temperature you feel comfortable using, then turning it up as and when you need extra heat in a particular room.

Is wet underfloor heating expensive to install and run?

Wet underfloor heating is the cheapest type of system to run, and is even more efficient if it is powered by a modern condensing boiler or a heat pump.

If you use your wet underfloor heating system with a timer, and only turn it up exactly when you need it, you should find that it’s as much as 25% more efficient than using radiators, because the heat is conducted more effectively around the space being heated. And unlike radiators, the warmth doesn’t mostly disappear into the atmosphere or through any draughts.

 

BHE engineer lays down wet underfloor heating pipework in a home's conservatory, providing an even heat distribution across the room

 

Is wet underfloor heating environmentally friendly?

Yes, especially if you use it alongside a heat pump, and you keep the piping well lagged. You can expect wet underfloor heating to contribute to a potential improvement in your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of between one and two bands (e.g. from a D to a B). This is because you’re likely to need less heat from other sources, and so will be cutting your carbon emissions.

What problems might I have with a wet underfloor heating installation?

As you will be expecting your boiler to do more work, it’s more important to always get your boiler serviced every year, so that you can rely on it to keep up with demand.

We also suggest that you have your wet underfloor heating system flushed once every five to seven years. This will remove any build-up of sludge or other particles which can prevent the system from operating at its most efficient.

A wet underfloor heating system can be subject to a number of electrical-related problems, which might cause an individual area of the system to not heat up as it should. A qualified electrician can check whether all your circuits are operating correctly, and fix any that aren’t.

You might also get a bubble or an airlock in your underfloor heating system’s pipes, but again, this can be remedied by a qualified plumber.

Can I use wet underfloor heating with a heat pump and/or solar panels?

Yes, you can get the benefits of wet underfloor heating and help cut your carbon footprint at the same time, by pairing a wet underfloor heating installation with solar panels or an air- or ground-source heat pump.

Underfloor heating is ideal to integrate with heat pumps, because both only require low flow temperatures, and a wet underfloor heating installation need not limit or affect your ability to use any other electrical appliances.

However, you will need a suitable level of insulation to get the best performance from your wet underfloor heating system, as it can then be designed to run at lower temperatures, possibly under 40°C, which will also help you save money on running costs.

Is a wet underfloor heating system safe to use under all types of floor covering?

You can install wet underfloor heating under most types of flooring, but we would advise against installing it under a solid wood floor. This is because the natural moisture present in most types of wood can be dried out by excessive heat, which can cause the flooring to warp or twist. However, it’s perfectly safe to use under wood-effect or laminate floor surfaces.

 

BHE engineer fixes wet underfloor heating pipework to the concrete floor, preventing the pipes from being moved or damaged to ensure the system remains reliable for years to come

 

How do I control wet underfloor heating?

You can adjust the temperature of your wet underfloor heating in the same way as you do with that of your central heating system, using a thermostat, through which you can set the times at which your system switches on and off, and the temperature you want to achieve. So if you’re familiar with using a manual thermostat control for your gas central heating, you’ll soon get used to doing the same to control your underfloor heating.

Of course, you can set your underfloor heating to switch on and off at set times, but you can also do both operations manually using your controller if needed.

Will wet underfloor heating be safe for my toddler and/or pets?

Yes. Unlike radiators, there are no small areas which get exceptionally hot, and instead the heat is spread much more widely throughout the pipes under your floors. You can give extra protection against the risk of any injuries by having your underfloor heating pipes well insulated when you have them installed.

Who can install a wet underfloor heating system for me?

You should always use a Gas Safe Registered heating and plumbing engineer to fit any appliance which is powered by mains gas, such as wet underfloor heating.

This will ensure that you get a comprehensive guarantee of all the working parts of your system, which also covers the workmanship involved in safely connecting your heating to your existing gas supply.

BHE’s teams of highly experienced and knowledgeable heating installation engineers give you the quotes, recommendations and advice you need to install and use wet underfloor heating in your home, throughout the Wigan, Leigh, Lancaster and Morecambe areas. We’re part of the R J Martindale Group, a company which is registered under the Which? Trusted Trader scheme.

Get a quote for your wet underfloor heating system installation with BHE today!