Although you might not consider utility room heating to be a priority, you could be missing a trick when it comes to the long term impact of not being clever about it in a space that's often prone to excess moisture.
Add to this the fact your utility room design may include external walls, a door to the outside and an extractor fan, and suddenly what might only be a small room, can quickly become a cold and damp one, with the risk of developing longer-term damage.
So what are the best ways of heating a utility room and how do you make sure you choose the right systems? We asked the same questions of heating experts and here's what they recommend.
Choosing your utility room heating
Whether you're just in the throes of choosing utility room ideas for a self build, or looking at ways to improve your current one during renovations, the good news is you're thinking about your utility room heating at exactly the right time.
"The utility room is one of those spaces where early heating decisions really pay off later," confirms Nick Duggan, director of The Radiator Centre. "While it may not be the most glamorous room in the house, it’s often one of the hardest working, so getting the heating right is essential for comfort, efficiency and long-term usability."
To start the process of choosing your utility room heating, "the first consideration is how the room will function day to day," says Nick. In most cases, utility rooms are used as laundry rooms, the appliances for which will add heat and moisture to the space.
Or, perhaps you're creating a bootility – a handy combination of boot room and utility in one, the consequences of which will mean wet clothes and shoes need extra heat to dry.
"Heat loss is the other key factor, especially where utility rooms include external doors or are located at the edge of the house," adds Nick. All of these will impact what utility room heating you need and choose.
Throw into the mix the fact that, "many modern utility rooms are compact and packed with cabinetry, appliances and storage, which can limit wall space," adds Nick, and it suddenly becomes clear that popping a radiator on the wall and hoping for the best will not be the solution to heating a utility room.
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Nick has over 20 years of experience in central heating and radiators, leading the team at one of the UK's largest independent suppliers.
Which heating system is best for a utility room?
Regardless of whether you power your utility room heating using a heat pump or boiler, the type of emitter you use will sometimes be dependant on how you are heating the rest of your home. If you have radiators throughout, you may look to use different types of radiators in a utility room. If you are installing underfloor heating throughout, then it can be natural to consider extending this into your utility room too.
That said, there is also the option of electric underfloor heating which you may consider if the room is relatively small.
But is there one system that works better for utility room heating than another, and what pros and cons do you need to consider before you commission an installer or heating professional?
Using radiators for heating a utility room
If you're renovating an older property, or simply upgrading your existing utility room, the chances are it either has no heating, or a radiator. Extending your radiator led system in this instance will likely be an easier option, and there is nothing to suggest that having radiators in a utility room won't work. They are a perfectly acceptable option, and one I wish I had, currently being the owner of a very small utility room that has no heating at all!
However, once you've calculated the size of radiator you need for the room, depending your utility room layout and size, you may find yourself needing to think outside of a standard model when it comes to its design.
"When space is limited, thinking beyond a standard horizontal radiator can be helpful," agrees Nick Duggan. "Vertical or slimline radiators offer strong heat output while fitting neatly between units, and multi-purpose designs can be useful where drying laundry, coats or muddy dog towels has become part of everyday life. These designs could include towel rails, hooks, shelving or even seating," he notes.
Underfloor heating and utility rooms
The other main option for heating a utility room is underfloor heating, which can be helpful if you have limited wall space and don't want to sacrifice valuable storage space.
It may also be your preferred heating choice if you are planning on using your utility room for lots of laundry.
"Drying clothes within the home can contribute to increased humidity and moisture in the air, which in turn can lead to problems with mould and damp," explains Tom Edmunds, general manager of Wunda. "Alongside careful utility room ventilation and monitoring humidity levels, underfloor heating in a utility room can also support with the efficiency of drying clothes and also help to prevent damp problems in the long term.
"In comparison to radiators, underfloor heating also provides an even heating distribution," says Tom, "which means the whole room will heat evenly, rather than being focused to one spot.
"This also means there’s no need to hang clothes directly on top of, or next to the heat source which can block the heat from the rest of the room and also cause damage to delicate fabric. With the room evenly heated, clothes are dried gently and the whole room is heated comfortably, helping to limit damp build up," he explains.
In essence, having underfloor heating is like having a giant radiator – but on the floor rather than the walls. And it's the same whether you choose electric underfloor heating or a water-fed system.
But which type of underfloor heating is best for your utility room?
"Electric systems are primarily advised for only heating smaller spaces such as a bathrooms, small utility rooms, or single-room retrofit projects due to the ever-increasing running costs," explains Tom. "Water-based systems are cheaper to run than electric and have a much longer working life span, so are best for larger-scale projects."
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.
The 'smart' secret to improving your utility room heating
Whether you choose underfloor heating or radiators for your utility room heating, there is one element that both our experts agree on, and that's the benefit of adding some smart home heating elements to it.
"Zoning the heating separately to the rest of the house, with the use of smart controls or a separate thermostat, is certainly worth considering if your utility room is not in constant use," agrees Nick Duggan.
James Clark, technical manager at Wiser explains the options available in more detail.
“With appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers and boilers generating both warmth and humidity, it’s important that homeowners are able to manage temperature and moisture levels effectively to protect the space and anything stored in it," he begins.
“If your utility room has a radiator, installing a smart heating system with smart radiator thermostats will mean you can ensure the space is only heated when necessary, preventing wasted energy," says James.
Smart radiator thermostats, such as those available from Wiser for example, are connected to the wider smart heating system, so you can easily adjust and schedule the heating specifically in your utility room, often through an app on your phone.
“The control that smart radiator thermostats offer, also means you can ensure that your utility room doesn’t get too cold – this will help reduce the relative humidity and also help prevent condensation, both of which could lead to mould if not managed correctly," expands James.
And, regardless of the heating system you install, you may also want to consider specifying a temperature and humidity sensor which monitor the room's humidity levels in real time, he suggests.
"These sensors allow you to make informed decisions about when to increase ventilation or adjust your heating settings to strike the right balance," he explains. But that's not all you could consider, he notes.
“Utility rooms are also more prone to leaks, whether from appliances or pipework. As part of the 2nd Generation system, the Wiser water leakage sensor offers an extra layer of reassurance for homeowners. These sensors will audibly alert you as soon as a leak is detected, as well as notify you through the app, so you can act quickly to minimise potential costly damage."
James Clark, Training Manager at Wiser, helps customers and professionals with practical tips and advice, making heating controls and energy management simple and accessible.
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In summary, it's clear that heating a utility room needs more thought than perhaps you first think, and it's definitely a case of looking at how you will use the room before you make any rush decisions.
If you're considering using your utility room as a home for your pets, or even putting a dog shower in there, a toasty warm floor under a dog bed may be ideal for example.
Or, on the other hand, if appliances and storage means you actually have little floor space left (remember you can't run underfloor heating under cabinets or appliances), but you do have a free wall, it may be easier to use it for a radiator so that you have enough heat.
Of course, budget will also play a part, so before you make your final decisions, find out how much you can expect to pay for underfloor heating costs and take a look at what the experts say in response to the question, 'which is more efficient – underfloor heating or radiators?'
