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home, and thus be more expensive than a more efficient system. An investment in underfloor heating could help
reduce costs for years to come.

Reduction in cold spots
Underfloor heating can help maintain an even temperature throughout the room. Other heating systems—with heat
provided from single positions—may leave parts of the room at lower temperatures (cold spots). The difference in
temperature across the room may be insignificant within modern installations, but in a room heated by older radiators
the temperature could vary by up to 4°C, requiring auxiliary radiators, further increasing domestic energy consumption.

What are the disadvantages of underfloor heating?

More expensive to install
Although generally less expensive to run, underfloor heating can be more expensive to install than a system of
radiators. How much more expensive depends on whether the home is a new-build (i.e. the underfloor heating can
be installed as the house is built) or whether the underfloor heating is to be retrofitted (that is, installed after the
home is built). Pipes or wires for underfloor heating must be installed, as the name suggests, under the floor and this
is much easier to do before the floor has been laid. Retrofitting underfloor heating can be a difficult process. Pulling
up your entire floor may be impractical and may result in damage to any existing underfloor installations. Labour for
a professional installation can also be costly. .

More expensive to repair
Once installed, access to underfloor heating is limited. If there’s a malfunction, particularly with electric underfloor
heating, it may be difficult to locate. Electric underfloor heating is cheaper than water-based, or ‘wet’, underfloor
heating to install, but much more expensive to run and uses electric wires to heat the home. Unfortunately, if there is
a deficiency at one point in the circuit, it may be difficult to locate under the floor.

Something else to keep in mind when it comes to underfloor heating is while it can reduce cold spots, it’s typically
more difficult to control the actual level of heat. It can also take longer for the room to heat up if it’s a large space, and
in turn take longer to cool down as well. This is why underfloor heating, while great for certain rooms or spaces in your
home, isn’t ideal for your entire home. Yes, it’s a good source of supplementary heat, but as a whole-home option, it’s
generally not efficient or cost effective.
Is it time for you to embrace Roman style and switch to underfloor heating? It’s clear there are strong pros to this type
of system, but it’s also important for you to consider your individual needs and whether the costs are worth it to you.
If you’re still unsure, contacting a professional is always the way to go. ■

14 | REAL ESTATE NOW | denise@BCislandhomes.ca