Underfloor heating vs radiators - Floor heating system installed in a home

Underfloor heating vs radiators: Which is the better choice?

Comparing underfloor heating and radiators based on their installation process, running costs, energy efficiency, and more.

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Key Facts

  • Underfloor heating is a modern central heating system that spreads warmth through the floorboards of a house. Heat is distributed evenly through pipes or cables using hot water or electricity. 
  • Radiators are commonly mounted on the walls of houses and connected to an existing central heating system. The energy used in radiators circulates through metal panels or pipes to release heat through convection. 


It's essential to ensure our homes are comfortable year-round, especially during fall and winter. Our spaces should be equipped to keep us warm through the long, cold nights. A key factor to consider is how to manage temperature effectively, and the most common options for this are underfloor heating vs radiators.

This guide aims to help you choose which heating system is best suited for your home based on factors like cost, heating speed, and space requirements. It’llll also answer some of the most common questions people might have when comparing radiators vs underfloor heating. 

What is underfloor heating? 

Underfloor heating vs radiators - Parquet boards on floor with underfloor heating

Underfloor heating (UHF) is a modern heating system that warms rooms from the ground up. This system is perfect for spaces where radiators or boilers might take up too much space in your home. 

There are two types of underfloor heating: electric and water-based. An electric UFH system uses electric mats or loose cables to evenly distribute heat, while a water-based one relies on heated water running through pipes. 

What are radiators? Underfloor heating vs radiators - Home radiator heater on the white wall on wooden hardwood floor

Radiators are connected to a central heating system and powered by electricity, gas, or heated water. The energy used in radiators circulates through metal panels or pipes to release heat through convection. There are four common types of metal used in radiators: mild steel, aluminium, stainless steel, and cast iron. 

Radiators vs underfloor heating: How do they differ?

If you want to know whether radiators or underfloor heating would suit your home more, you must first consider multiple factors like space, budget, and energy usage. This section aims to hopefully provide you with some more insight and clarity before you make your decision. 


In terms of comfortUnderfloor heating vs radiators - A person heating on a chilly winter day

If you want to feel warm throughout your home, underfloor heating delivers a more uniform heat distribution. Compared to the convection heat of radiators, the radiant heat spread by underfloor heating also provides better air quality, keeping air fresh at all times. Also, you don’t need to worry about young children touching hot surfaces or the sharp edges of radiators, making underfloor heating a safer and more comfortable choice for families. 

On the other hand, since radiators are mounted on walls, heat doesn’t spread too far from the source. This can result in uneven heat distribution in your home, leading to overall discomfort and cold spots, especially if your house has lots of large spaces. 


Recommendation: Choose an underfloor heating system if you want to feel both safe and comfortable. But, if you’re living alone and in a small space, radiators could still get the job done. 


In terms of energy efficiency

Underfloor heating systems are typically more energy-efficient than radiators. Because the floor area of a room is greater than the small surface area used by radiators, an underfloor heating system sometimes only requires temperatures as low as 35°C to efficiently heat a room. This lower input temperature is where you’ll see the most potential to save energy during colder weather. 

In contrast, radiators generally require high temperatures as high as 70°C-80°C to effectively heat the area nearest to them. While it’s possible to waste less energy by using electric radiators, different radiator materials will also have different effects on its energy efficiency. 


Recommendation: Underfloor heating systems use less energy and are more consistent when it comes to effectively heating up the entire surface area.


In terms of heating speedUnderfloor heating vs radiators - Tile floor with underfloor heating

While underfloor heating evenly distributes heat around the room, it can take longer to reach the desired temperature than radiators. This gradual increase in temperature could be a potential drawback for some, especially if you prefer to get warm quickly.

Meanwhile, radiators heat up the area around them more due to their smaller size and high input temperature requirements. This makes them suitable for homes where rapid heating is essential and wanted. In fact, it’s even become a recent bathroom design trend to install a radiator in your bathroom to keep the room warm, dry, and mould-free. 


Recommendation: Radiators heat up quicker than underfloor heating systems due to their smaller size and higher input temperature requirements.


In terms of installation

Underfloor heating installation can somehow be both disruptive and easy. Installing underfloor heating systems requires you to take up the whole floor, laying down either pipes or cables beneath. While there may be step-by-step guides on how to install these heating systems, it's important to remember that it's always best to leave it to the pros to avoid costly installation mistakes. And once installed, you’ll need the help of a qualified electrician to connect your heating system to the main power. 

Meanwhile, radiator installation is simpler and faster overall. Radiators are usually mounted on walls, and installation just requires connecting them to an already existing central heating system such as a heat pump or a boiler. And while that does sound simple enough, it’s still best to leave installation to the pros to avoid any risks that come with doing the installation by yourself.


Recommendation: Radiators can be the best option for a quick and easy new installation. 


In terms of space requirements

Underfloor heating vs radiators - Shot of construction site in a loft where floor heating has just been installed

Depending on your household’s needs, space efficiency can be a significant factor when it comes to choosing your preferred heating system. 

Underfloor heating can be very space-saving, making it particularly beneficial in modern houses prioritising a clutter-free space. In contrast, traditional radiators require wall space for installation. This can be potentially limiting when it comes to layout and design options for your rooms. Additionally, the room size typically influences the size of the radiator that’s required to completely heat up the space. 


Recommendation: Underfloor heating is best if you want your house to have a modern and clean aesthetic. 


In terms of installation and running costs

The cost of running electric underfloor heating vs radiators varies depending on energy sources and system efficiency. For example, electric underfloor heating can be more expensive to run, especially if used frequently. But, as mentioned before, underfloor heating systems use less power, potentially leading to lower energy bills. 

Installing underfloor heating systems usually costs around $300-$500 per day for contractors and an additional $160-$300 if you want high-quality insulation and a thermostat. 

As for how much it costs to run your UHF, it costs $16-$18 a month to heat  up a 4m² room for four hours a day on average. While it has lower running costs, it's important to note that the initial installation costs are typically higher than radiators. So, while you may save on running costs in the long term, you'll need to consider your upfront investment.

Radiators, on the other hand, generally have higher running costs than a UHF system since they require higher temperatures to effectively heat the area closest to them. These running costs are tied to the efficiency of the system, radiator materials, and the type of power used. Plus, radiators require more regular upkeep, with them making regular appearances on home maintenance checklists.

As for the cost of installing radiators, it usually ranges from $300-$1100 per radiator and $80-$160 for labour costs. 


Recommendation: Underfloor heating has the potential to be cheaper than radiators, but this would all depend on the type of system you choose to install and run. 

Hire expert installers for your heating system on Airtasker

Once you've chosen the perfect heating system for your home, now’s the time to start your renovation and say goodbye to cold spots. Keep warm and cosy this winter with the right heating system.

Airtasker connects you with professional heating and cooling experts who can handle your installation with care and precision.

Still unsure which heating system is best for your home? Check out the table below for more options, and when you're ready, post a task on Airtasker.

Underfloor heating vs radiators


Underfloor Heating Systems
Radiators
Installation
More pricey and has potential to be disruptive
More cost-effective and simpler
Comfort More consistent comfort due to even heating distribution
Inconsistent comfort level due to uneven temperature distribution
Running Costs
Potential to be cheaper based on the materials used
Cheaper, but requires more regular maintenance
Energy Efficiency
Less power is required to heat up a space evenly
More power is required to heat up a portion of a room
Space Requirements
Space-saving; works under all floor coverings
Requires free wall spaces in various sizes
Heating Speed
Slower and more gradual, but more evenly distributed
Faster because of its smaller size and temperature requirement

FAQs on underfloor heating systems and radiators

Water UFHs work by heating up water through a boiler, and the hot water circulates through a series of pipes in the floor. The heat from the pipes warms up the floor, thereby warming up the room. 

Yes, you can have underfloor heating on all floor surfaces and coverings such as wood, laminate, carpet, and more. You can even have underfloor heating installed under driveways and walkways. 

A typical electric underfloor heating system uses 100 Watts (W/m²). This implies that one kilowatt (kW) of power would be required to adequately heat a room measuring ten square metres (m²).

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