Steve Harris, Technical Support Engineer at Wavin Hep2O, takes a look at the trends driving improvements in the underfloor heating (UFH) market, as well as a quick refresher on how best to explain the key benefits to customers.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, around 22% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from homes. This means there’s a lot of pressure on the government and people working across housing to decarbonise the sector by 2050.
At the same time, there has been a huge uplift in conversation around climate change in the last few years and, after the population has spent an extraordinary amount of time in their homes, many people are much more conscious of their property’s energy efficiency, their heating bills, and their carbon footprints.
With homeowners being left with more time to scrutinise their properties, they increasingly want to make changes to them. According to Santander, 61% of homeowners carried out a DIY or renovation project during lockdown, as projects that could normally wait a few years became a priority and many people found themselves with a little more disposable income.
All these factors have contributed to an increased demand for UFH systems and that trend is only expected to continue going forward.
Communicating the benefits
Taking advantage of this trend means knowing the ins and outs of UFH technology better than your competition, and how to communicate the benefits to customers in a way which resonates with them.
You are probably already aware of some of the main benefits that come with UFH. Homeowners, on the other hand, often still think it’s an expensive, complicated investment. So, it’s key that the long-term advantages of these systems are communicated clearly, so they can make a more informed decision.
The main benefit and one of the top selling points is how efficiently UFH can heat their homes, compared to radiators. The effective heat distribution means systems operate at a lower temperature, saving customers energy and bills, while still making sure the warmth reaches all corners of a home.
For those customers who are more sustainability-focused, talking about how UFH can impact a carbon footprint is a key benefit. Renewable energy sources can be used easily alongside UFH, such as ground or air source heat pumps, or biomass energy boilers, which can provide a much more environmentally-friendly heating solution.
Of course, all of this equates to lower bills too and, over time, the UFH will allow customers to recoup their initial investment. In fact, homeowners can save up to 20% on their bills just by using UFH on its own.
Practical benefits aside, UFH also comes with aesthetic perks, which is why it has often been the system of choice for more design-led developments. Bulky radiators in homes take up unnecessary space and can become a bit of an eyesore for those looking for a minimalist environment, as homeowners have to plan their interior design around these pieces.
UFH, on the other hand, has no impact on the aesthetics of a home, allowing customers to make the most of their floorplan, without being worried about feeling too cold in the winter months.
The easy solution
There are definitely plenty of benefits of UFH for homeowners, but what about those handling them?
These systems are increasingly being designed to be quick and easy to install, and are therefore a relatively straightforward job. Certain systems can even be fitted on an existing floor, so they aren’t just reserved for newbuilds, they’re perfect for retrofit projects too.
If you'd like to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the heating and plumbing industry, why not subscribe to our weekly newsletters? Just click the button below and you can ensure all the latest industry news and new product information lands in your inbox every week.