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Retrofi tting underfl oor heating: the installation considerations


Sam White, technical sales engineer, at RWC, explores the potential of underfl oor heating in retrofi tting homes for greater effi ciency


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etrofi tting properties is a proven way of making homes suitable for modern living, with the upgrading of features contributing


to more comfortable living for occupants. When it comes to improving standards – both for occupants and for whole building effi ciency – the retrofi tting of modern plumbing and heating systems can have a big impact. Currently, heating systems account for the vast majority – around 80% – of emissions generated by homes. As running costs rise and we collectively move towards a cleaner and more effi cient future on the road to net-zero, retrofi tting heating systems that elevate effi ciency and performance is essential. Underfl oor heating is one of the leading routes


to realising greater levels of effi ciency in existing homes. With a variety of systems designed for fast and fuss-free installation, installers can play an active role in making customers’ homes more effi cient, more comfortable and more cost eff ective to run.


Retrofi tting for effi ciency


Alongside a desire for greater levels of comfort and cost effi ciency being targeted by homeowners, legislation and government initiatives are evolving to improve the performance of homes. The Warm Homes Plan is a government initiative designed to decrease the amount of fuel poverty


24 July 2026


in the UK. The plan includes things like upgrading insulation to keep homes more energy effi cient, installing more effi cient heating systems such as underfl oor heating and providing funding for energy performance upgrades. Similarly, the Future Homes Standard is


expected to be introduced in 2028, aiming to reduce carbon emissions from new and existing homes by implementing low-carbon heating and world- leading energy effi ciency standards. This is part of the UK’s aim to reach net-zero by 2050. The main aim is to reduce carbon emissions from new homes and futureproofi ng older houses to ensure the UK reaches its carbon reduction targets. There are several factors that installers need to


take into consideration when taking on UFH projects in existing homes. This includes the heat source, particularly as UFH is compatible with traditional and modern sources, from gas boilers through to heat pumps – something which makes UFH widely accessible. Alongside this, factors such as system set-up and the location of the manifold will be key factors, in addition to completed fl oor fi nishes, which can directly impact the performance of UFH.


The benefi ts of retrofi tting underfl oor heating


When it comes to retrofi tting underfl oor heating into an existing home, installers can unlock a host


of benefi ts for homeowners – from performance through to aesthetics. Operationally, underfl oor heating runs at


much lower temperatures than traditional heating systems. This is one of the factors which supports its broad compatibility with a variety of heat sources, but it is also critical in supporting households to keep bills down. That’s because lower temperatures place less pressure on heat sources and require less energy to perform optimally. But surely lower temperatures mean a


compromise on comfort? Well, not with UFH – because the set-up of underfl oor heating elevates heat transfer in each room. Unlike a radiator system for instance, where heat is emitted from a small single source, UFH spans the entire fl oorspace of a room. This allows for heat to be distributed evenly, eliminating cold spots and, ultimately, requiring lower operational temperatures to achieve optimal levels of comfort. It is this set-up that also unlocks aesthetic


benefi ts for homeowners. As almost all pipework is located beneath the fl oor, wall space is no longer occupied by radiators, allowing occupants to benefi t from greater functionality in their spaces. More broadly, hidden pipework is part of a greater trend towards hidden utilities and, as the most prominent utility in the home, being able to hide heating brings existing homes into the future and improves their suitability for modern living.


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