When planning and installing a home heating system, many feel they must choose between underfloor heating and radiators. But with every building having its own unique needs, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Underfloor heating vs. radiators
Both underfloor heating and radiators have their pros and cons. Underfloor heating frees up valuable wall space, offers comfortable warmth, and can be split into zones which enables setting the preferred temperature per room or zone. Radiators, on the other hand, react fast to temperature changes in the room due to their lower water content and lower thermal mass.
Why combine underfloor heating and radiators?
“Myson is one of the few manufacturers to offer both underfloor heating and radiators. We believe a combined heating system is a more complete solution that offers many advantages”, says Nabeel Javaid, Market & Application Specialist at Myson UK. “It offers flexibility, energy efficiency, and a complete heating solution for any space.”
Key advantages of a combined system
- Zoned heating control: underfloor heating can easily be split into separate zones thanks to separate heating circuits and installation distances, while radiators can be installed freely in specific rooms. Temperatures can then be adjusted in individual rooms, based on specific needs and habits, reducing energy waste.
- Comfort: “Underfloor heating and radiators work together to enhance comfort,” says Nabeel. “In bathrooms, for example, where underfloor heating provides warm floors and quick-drying surfaces, and a radiator provides extra heat when needed, creating the ideal environment.”
- Energy efficiency: a combined system offers great energy efficiency, especially when you combine underfloor heating with low-temperature radiators and a heat pump, or condensing boiler.
- Flexibility in design: A hybrid heating system offers design flexibility, especially in renovations. “Radiators suit areas where underfloor heating is hard to retrofit, while underfloor heating works well in open-plan spaces and bathrooms,” says Nabeel. “It’s a tailored solution for any layout or lifestyle.”
Key technical considerations
According to Nabeel, the key to an optimal heating solution lies in the considered combination of the different parts of the system. “As experts in heating solutions, we help customers optimise that combination in 4 key areas; system design and planning, pipe network and heating circuit temperature differentiation, correct balancing of the emitters, and the control systems.”
Proper planning is essential for a hybrid heating system to work efficiently. “Zoning with separate thermostats ensures each area runs independently,” says Nabeel. “Our experts support customers from the start to design the most effective solution for each specific building.”
“Smart controls, like our Unisenza and Unisenza Plus ranges, offer precise temperature control and zoning technology for both radiators and underfloor heating. With the Unisenza Plus app, users can manage the entire system from a single online platform, anytime, anywhere.”
If you have any questions regarding the combination of underfloor heating and radiators, or need support with system design, contact Myson via their website www.myson.co.uk
