What are the different types of Electric Underfloor heating?

There are various different electric underfloor heating systems. This is a short guide to most types available from Eco friendly heating. This information will help you choose what would be the best electric underfloor heating to use with your floor and for your needs. Floor coverings are also available.

Electric underfloor heating (UFH) uses thin mats, carbon film or cables beneath the floor surface to distribute gentle, even warmth.
Because heat rises naturally, rooms stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings, saving energy while freeing wall space. Underfloor heating systems operate at lower temperatures (around 29°C) compared to traditional radiators (65-75°C), which, combined with precise thermostat control, results in using less energy overall to achieve the same comfort level.

Here are some of the  different types of Electric underfloor heating.

Carbon Film

Description: Carbon film underfloor heating systems are a specific type of electric underfloor heating that uses thin, flexible sheets of carbon-based material to generate heat via infrared heat or radiation. They are a modern, highly efficient alternative to traditional cable or mat systems, particularly well-suited for "dry" installations under specific floor finishes. 

Ultra-thin Profile: The film is very thin, meaning it has a negligible impact on floor height and is ideal for renovation or retrofit projects where floor buildup is a concern. If you want to avoid refitting doors and such this floor is ideal.

Best for: Living-rooms, Kitchens, bedrooms and large spaces such as conservatories. Not suitable for bathrooms or shower rooms.

Floor covering Compatibility: Carbon film underfloor heating is primarily designed for use under floating floor finishes such as: Laminate flooring , Engineered wood Carpet and Vinyl (when used in conjunction with an appropriate overlay, such as MDF dual board).

Installations: It is a "dry" installation system, meaning it is laid directly under the floor covering (such as engineered wood) and over an insulation layer, without the need for messy adhesives or a screed layer. The film comes in rolls and can be cut to length (but not width) to fit the specific room layout, making installation relatively straightforward for most people. A qualified electrician is required to do the final connection and safety checks.

Efficiency and Heat-Up Time: These systems are highly energy efficient ( 100% conversion of electricity to heat) and offer rapid heat-up times, typically reaching operating temperature within 15-20 seconds. Currently the most efficient and thinnest underfloor heating available in our opinion.

Description: These systems feature a thin heating cable already pre-spaced and attached to a flexible mesh mat, often with an adhesive backing, which is simply rolled out and stuck to the subfloor.

Best for: Square or rectangular rooms and use with tile or stone floor finishes.

Floor Covering Compatibility: With the correct installation method (e.g., using a self-levelling compound or tile adhesive over the mat), they are compatible with:

Tile and Stone: An ideal choice, often requiring four layers in the build-up (adhesive, uncoupling membrane, adhesive, and the tile).

Laminate, Wood and Vinyl: Require a flexible self-levelling compound to be poured over the mesh before the floor covering and underlay are laid. A maximum floor temperature of 27°C is recommended for vinyl.

Carpet: Possible, but the carpet and underlay combined should not exceed a total tog rating of 2.5 to allow for efficient heat transfer.

Foil System:

• Description: These systems consist of a heating cable wrapped in two layers of protective aluminum foil, which provides excellent thermal conductivity. They are designed to be installed without adhesives.
• Best for: Floating floor finishes, including engineered wood, carpet (with appropriate tog rating), and vinyl.
• Installation: Installed directly under the floor finish over an insulation layer. They are specifically designed not to overheat soft floor finishes and provide fast heat-up times.
• Efficiency and Heat-Up Time: As with all electric underfloor heating systems, the foil system is 100% efficient at the point of use, converting all electrical energy into heat. The foil system is specifically designed for a fast response and minimal floor height buildup, leading to quick heat-up times. Heat-up time ranges from 30 minutes to an hours.

Description: These systems involve installing a durable heating cable within a thick layer of screed (typically 50mm or more).

Best for: New build or extension projects, and for rooms in almost constant use.

Floor Covering Compatibility:  Engineered Wood, Laminate/Vinyl which typically have a maximum temperature limit of 27°C. And Carpet, which can be used, provided the combined tog rating of the carpet and underlay does not exceed 1.5 tog to avoid blocking the heat.

Installation: Takes longer to install and heat up due to the thickness of the screed, but the screed retains heat for a longer period, making it very efficient for continuous use and ideal for taking advantage of low-cost, off-peak energy tariffs.

Efficiency and Heat-Up Time: In-screed systems are very energy efficient in their operation. The screed acts as a large thermal mass, storing heat and releasing it slowly and evenly throughout the room. This allows the system to operate at lower temperatures (e.g., 29°C surface temp). Heat-Up time can range from 1 to 4 hours (or more), depending on the screed thickness, insulation levels, and floor covering.

Heating and Decoupling system:

• Description: A more modern approach that combines the heating cable with a decoupling membrane. The membrane has a studded design to hold the cable securely in place. 
• Best for: Tile or stone floors (especially in wet rooms) as the membrane helps prevent the tiles from cracking due to subfloor movement.  It effectively neutralises tension between the substrate and the tiles, preventing damage.
• Installation: Offers cable protection during installation and allows for variable heat outputs by changing the spacing of the cable within the membrane's stud
• Efficiency and Heat-Up Time: As with all electric underfloor heating systems, this system is 100% efficient at the point of use,  converting all electrical energy into heat. Heat-Up Time: When installed correctly over insulation boards with a tiled finish, you can expect the system to reach optimal comfort temperature relatively quickly, often within 30 minutes to an hour.