There are many reasons why underfloor heating in a conservatory is so popular. That said, in order for this method of heating a conservatory to be effective, there are several factors to take into account.
"UFH can be a great option in a conservatory, but it needs to be designed carefully," explains Martyn Fowler, founder of Elite Renewables. "Conservatories lose heat faster than other rooms because of the glazing and limited insulation."
If you are considering underfloor heating as a method of keeping your conservatory at a comfortable temperature, our guide is here to explain everything, from the best types of set-ups to the steps you can take to ensure you get the very most out of your new system.
Founder of Elite Renewables, Martyn Fowler is one of the UK's leading renewable technology experts, working with heat pumps for the last 2 decades. His passion for decarbonisation matched with a deep technical experience of the technology make him one of the industry's go-to experts for all things renewable.
What is the best type of underfloor heating for a conservatory?
There are two types of underflooring heating – those that rely on electricity, and systems made up of a series of pipes filled with warm water – often referred to as wet systems.
"We usually recommend a wet system," reveals Martyn Fowler. "It runs at lower flow temperatures and connects directly to the main heating system, which makes it much more efficient if you’re using the space regularly. The installation is a bit more expensive as the pipework is laid into the floor."
"The correct type of water-based underfloor heating is ideal for conservatories, as it delivers even warmth across the whole floor and eliminates cold spots," adds Tom Edmunds, general manager of Wunda Group. "While electric underfloor heating can suit smaller areas, it’s costly to run in larger spaces."
"Electric systems are easier to retrofit in smaller spaces or where you don’t want to raise the floor level," continues Martyn. "The trade-off is running costs. They’re generally more expensive to operate."
Tom Edmunds is the general manager for Wunda Group PLC, a market leading British based expert in heating solutions for the home. Tom has been providing heating expertise with Wunda for almost 18 years.
What are the benefits conservatory underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating holds many advantages over other types of heating when it comes to conservatories. Often thought of as space to enjoy predominately during the summer months, the introduction of low-level, consistent heating means you can continue to spend time in your conservatory even when colder weather hits.
"The pros of using underfloor heating in a conservatory are clear," says Tom Edmunds. "You will have more design freedom as there are no bulky radiators taking up wall space, a more even distribution of warmth and quiet operation.
"You will also have less dust circulating in the room – a real bonus for those with allergies," continues Tom. "Plus, you can enjoy your conservatory all year round."
What are the downsides of using UFH in a conservatory?
While underfloor heating undoubtedly offers some notable benefits to conservatory owners when compared to other heating systems, there are some downsides to be aware of too.
"The main downsides are the upfront cost and the slower response time compared to most types of radiators," points out Martyn Fowler. "UFH takes longer to heat up and cool down.
"To counteract this, you should really be looking at adding smart controls or programmable thermostats to get the best performance from your UFH system," adds Martyn Fowler.
How do you get the most out of your underfloor heating?
If you have decided to bite the bullet and install underfloor heating, be it a wet or an electric system, there are certain steps you can take in order to make sure you are getting the most out of it.
"The most important factor is insulation," advises Martyn Fowler. "Your heating system will struggle without insulation or good-quality glazing."
"It is important to consider insulation in the room," agrees Tom Edmunds, who recommends fitting a system such as a Wunda Rapid Response heating system. "This will insulate you from the cold floor and the thick aluminium will rapidly spread an even heat across the entire floor. Ensuring the conservatory has good glazing and insulation will maximise performance and energy efficiency."
What type of flooring is best with underfloor heating in a conservatory?
When it comes to choosing the best conservatory flooring to sit over underfloor heating, you need to look out for materials that will effectively transfer the heat from the UFH through to the surface.
Easy to clean and hardwearing, stone and tiles are amongst the best options, particularly in a space where people will be entering directly from the outside, potentially traipsing dirt and mud into the conservatory.
Engineered timber can also work well, but be sure to check with the manufacturer for the maximum base/surface temperature when specifying.
If you want to soften the overall look, a rug or two should do the job nicely – just be sure to choose one with an overall tog value of 2.5 or less.
Shop floor heating safe rugs
Offering fantastic value for money, this vintage-style rug is fully compatible with underfloor heating. It is both colourfast as well as non-shedding, making it ideal for conservatories with a heavy footfall.
Not only is this rug machine washable, making it a highly practical choice for conservatories, but it also has a non-slip backing – plus it comes in a range of sizes, shapes and alternative colours.
Not only do we love the classic design of this rug, but the fact that it comprises a removable, washable cover, with an inner rug pad makes it even more appealing. Inner pads come in all kinds of thicknesses too.
How much will underfloor heating for a conservatory cost?
The underfloor heating costs for a conservatory are dependent on several factors, with the main two being the size of your space and the type of system you opt for.
"The relative simplicity of electric UFH fitting makes that type far cheaper to implement from the off, in contrast with water underfloor heating," explains John Klee, research specialist at BestHeating.
"Some smaller electric UFH kits retail from just £50 upwards at BestHeating, with accompanying underfloor heating accessories such as WiFi thermostats available for as little as £120.
"The size of the conservatory area that requires heating is another influential element," continues John. "Broadly speaking, conservatories with larger surface areas will be more expensive to be prepared and adorned with their underfloor heating systems. Although some more compact spaces can turn into longer jobs than expected, if the layout proves awkward at all."
John specialises in reasoned and researched home heating tips, and providing expert answers to the questions you want answering.
FAQs
What alternative conservatory heating methods are there?
If you are building your conservatory from scratch, underfloor heating has to be one of the best ways of warming up the space, but there is no denying that there is a level of disruption involved in its installation when compared to some other types of heating in the case of retrofits.
Other options worth considering include log burning stoves, skirting heating, an air-to-air heat pump and plug-in electric radiators (although these can be expensive to run.)
Still undecided on the best conservatory heater? Be sure to check out all your options before making your final choice.
