When it comes to home upgrades, underfloor heating has become one of the most sought after home improvements out there. It provides cosy warmth throughout your house, frees up wall space and is a more energy efficient heating option. But what about the houses that were built well before underfloor heating existed? Many homeowners wonder, can you put underfloor heating in an old house? The answer is almost always ‘yes’, providing you choose the right system, and it’s installed correctly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before you install underfloor heating in an old house and provide tips on which system is right for your retrofit project.
Why Choose Underfloor Heating in an Old House?
Most older houses use traditional radiators to provide heating, which can cause cold spots and restrict how you lay out your furniture and decor in a room. Not only this, but radiators are more expensive to run and use more energy. When you opt for underfloor heating in an old house, you not only get consistent warmth throughout your home, but also have more wall space. Underfloor heating is also energy efficient and if you’re searching for a heating solution that’s more eco-friendly, they can work brilliantly with heat pumps and renewable energy systems.
Can You Install Underfloor Heating in an Old House?
Before any major work or installation of an underfloor heating system begins, you usually have to have a survey carried out to determine that the floor is secure enough to hold underfloor heating. The survey will look for things such as:
- Construction of the floor, i.e. solid concrete or suspended timber
- Condition of the subfloor
- Ceiling height allowances for any floor build-up
- Amount of insulation needed
- Existing heating types in the house
Best Systems for Installing Underfloor Heating in an Old House
With older homes, there are generally more things that you need to take into consideration before installing underfloor heating. Here is our rundown on how to choose the best underfloor heating system for your older house.
Low-Profile Wet Underfloor Heating Systems
Wet systems work by circulating warm water through pipes, and low profile wet kits are perfect for older homes. They require less room underneath your flooring so they can be installed easier in spaces where there is little room to work with. If you’re not sure which low profile kit is the right one for your retrofit, have a look at our useful comparison of all our low profile products.
Electric Mat Underfloor Heating Systems
Electric mats are another great choice for retrofits in older homes. Their installation is fast and less invasive, so if there are more restrictions in your property, they could be the perfect choice. As with the low profile kits, they also don’t require a lot of space under the flooring.
Considerations for Underfloor Heating in Older Homes
There are a few factors you should consider when looking at installing underfloor heating in an old house to ensure your system can function to the best of its ability.
Minimising Disruption to the Property
When looking at installing underfloor heating in an old house, you should make sure that the floor is stable enough to handle the installation of underfloor heating, as you don’t want to cause any damage. You also need to ensure that your existing boiler or heat pump is compatible with underfloor heating. These things will be assessed during the survey of your home.
Ensuring There is Proper Insulation
It’s no secret that older buildings often have a higher level of heat loss, particularly through the floors. This makes it even more important to install proper XPS insulation when fitting your underfloor heating.
Costs of Underfloor Heating in Old Houses
The cost of underfloor heating in old houses depends on a few different factors. For example, the properties age and how it was constructed, as well as how much floor preparation is required to retrofit the system. Other things that affect the price are the number of rooms you want to heat, as well as the type of underfloor heating you wish to install. We offer complimentary bespoke quotes, so you have all the details before you commit.
Working with UFH1 for Your Underfloor Heating
If you’re looking for a professional, reliable team to retrofit underfloor heating in your older home, we are specialists in both modern and older property heating solutions. From the initial survey to installation, our experts ensure the right system is chosen for your home.
Explore our full range of underfloor heating kits to get started.
