Underfloor heating specialistsin Harrow,for warmth from the ground up

Underfloor heating is easiest to install when the floor is being laid or replaced anyway, such as in an extension, a new kitchen or a full renovation. Retrofitting into an existing floor is possible with low-profile systems, but floor height, door thresholds and the existing subfloor all need checking.

Insulation beneath the pipes is essential. Without it, heat goes down into the ground or the room below instead of up into the room you want to heat, which raises running costs and slows warm-up.

Floor coverings affect performance. Stone and ceramic tiles transfer heat very well. Engineered wood and laminate work well when rated for underfloor use. Thick carpet and heavy underlay reduce heat output and should be checked before choosing.

Wet underfloor systems run at lower water temperatures than radiators. When connected to a gas boiler, a mixing valve blends the water down to the right temperature. With a heat pump, the system can often run directly at the heat pump's flow temperature, which helps efficiency.

Each zone usually has its own thermostat, so you can heat a kitchen differently from a bedroom. Smart controls can schedule zones for when each room is used.

Once installed, underfloor heating needs little maintenance, but faults such as failed actuators, pump issues, air in the loops or an unbalanced manifold can leave zones cold. We diagnose and fix these on existing systems.

Running costs depend on how well the room is insulated, the floor covering, the heat source and how the system is controlled. A well-insulated extension with tiled floors, connected to a correctly set-up boiler or heat pump, can be comfortable and efficient to run. We explain the factors that affect your project before you commit.

Underfloor heating is often combined with radiators. For example, an extension or open-plan kitchen may have underfloor heating while upstairs bedrooms keep their radiators. We design the system so both parts work properly from the same boiler or heat pump.

Before any floor is finished, the pipework is pressure tested to make sure there are no leaks. This is an important step, as fixing a leak after a screed or tiled floor is laid is disruptive and costly.

Once commissioned, each loop on the manifold is balanced so heat is spread evenly across the floor, and the thermostats are set up for each zone.