Do You Need Insulation With Underfloor Heating?

One of the most common questions we hear at EasyFlow is the amount of insulation needed for an underfloor heating system. With energy-efficient heating on many homeowners’ minds, it’s an essential question when planning your upgrade.

That said, not all properties can fit insulation, and it’s important to know what can be done in those circumstances to ensure an investment in this modern heating system is the most energy-efficient heating it can be.

Do You Need Insulation With Underfloor Heating?

We would highly recommend at least 50mm of floor insulation fitted before underfloor heating is laid. That said, it is not mandatory, and you can have a valid underfloor heating installation without insulation.

We also recommend that you insulate your external walls. Check your Energy Performance Certificate to find out your property’s current insulation levels and if there are any recommended improvements.

How Much Floor Insulation Do You Need?

We recommend at least 50mm of rigid foam floor insulation for standard properties. For older properties and homes suffering from particularly cold floors, we recommend at least 70mm of insulation. You can have as much as 200mm to prevent heat loss, though you would also have to factor in the thickness of the floor screed and your floor finishes into the final floor height.

What is the Minimum Thickness for Floor Insulation?

You can have underfloor heating with as little as a 17mm-thick insulation panel. This low-profile solution is recommended in properties where low ceilings are a concern, or where there are suspended wooden floors.

Why Thermal Insulation Benefits Underfloor Heating?

Thermal insulation fitted to the floor has the primary function of reducing heat loss through the floor, which can be about 10-20% according to EDF Energy. This helps encourage heat from underfloor heating to rise into the room.

Less heat loss through the floor improves how energy-efficient the heating is because it reduces the amount of energy your heat source has to consume to heat the room to its desired temperature. The Energy Saving Trust estimates this to be between £45-£120 on your energy bill, depending on the amount of heat loss your home experiences and the thickness of the insulation you install.

Who Can Install Thermal Floor Insulation?

If you’re looking to install underfloor heating with sufficient insulation, EasyFlow can provide you with a full-service installation from floor preparation to liquid screed. Talk to us in a free consultation to learn more about your options for floor insulation, and if you go ahead with us, we will lay it ahead of your heating installation.