Why use underfloor heating in wet rooms or bathrooms?
We all know the feeling of a cold bathroom in winter months and we've all done the dance across ice cold floor tiles. Bathrooms and wet rooms quickly become the coldest rooms in the house as they often have at least two exterior walls, and the way these rooms are traditionally heated isn't all that cost or energy efficient.
Radiators or heated bars are often used to heat bathrooms, and whilst this is perfect for warming up a towel or bath robe, they often can't heat up the rest of the room. This problem is made even worse if your wet room or bathroom has an extraction fan, as the convected heat is easily pulled up - and out of your home through these fixtures which can result in cold spots.
There is a more efficient way to heat your wet room or bathroom... electric underfloor heating.
Whilst there are two types of underfloor heating systems; wet systems and electric systems, we'll be focusing on electric underfloor heating systems. These are much easier to install, generally have lower running costs than water systems, and can be used with any type of floor finish or floor covering.
How much does electric underfloor heating cost to run?
Remember the days when electric underfloor heating was considered to be an expensive and time intensive way of heating your floor? Those days are long gone. As technology and practices have improved, electric underfloor heating is now the easiest and most energy efficient way to heat a bathroom or wet room. Use our handy calculator below to work out an estimate of how little it could cost you.
If you liked this calculator and wanted to see a more in depth version, please head over to the Electric Underfloor Heating Running Cost Calculator on the ThermoSphere website.
Can electric underfloor heating be installed in a wet room or bathroom?
Absolutely yes! Enjoy warm floors that dry on their own after showers and make the most of your space as you remove the need for radiators! We always recommend an earthed IP68 rated system in wet areas which gives you the flexibility and safety you need. Of course, we always recommend that you get your system installed and tested by a qualified electrician before use.
How do I install underfloor heating in a wet room or bathroom?
These days electric underfloor heating systems are very easily installed and integrate seamlessly into the build process of a wet room or bathroom. They don't compromise the tanking process or any waterproofing you're doing either. Once the wet room’s shower tray and drainage elements have been installed, electric underfloor heating mats, or a membrane and loose lay cable system can be laid either on direct on the sub floor or insulation board prior to the installation of the adhesive and floor tiles.
ThermoSphere produce a self-adhesive membrane that acts as a conduit for their heating cable. Using self-adhesive membrane means that there is no need to stick it down with tile adhesive which saves you time and money. The tanking process will ensure your wet room or bathroom remains watertight and leak free for the lifespan of the tiles. Underfloor heating systems can even be installed behind shower wall tiles too - becoming under tile heating systems and offering you the most luxurious of shower experiences, whilst drying the tiles and grout to remove standing water once you're done.
If you are thinking about installing electric underfloor heating in a wet room or bathroom, we recommend you don’t exceed 150 watts - or 30°c per square metre. You must also install the heating system at least 300mm away from the wet room drain so that the drainage trap doesn’t dry out.
Fort more information, please see the guide below on how to install ThermoSphere's electric underfloor heating system.
The benefits of underfloor heating in a wet room
Efficiency
Efficiency is the key benefits electric underfloor heating has over other heating systems. You don't need to worry about leaving electric underfloor heating systems on for prolonged periods of time to 'heat up'. They are brilliantly responsive and heat up quickly, whilst being simple to control with an underfloor heating thermostat.
Cost effective
Electric underfloor heating systems are easier and cheaper to install compared to gas central heating. It only costs 14p to heat a 2.5m2 bathroom in London for 3 hours a day with electric underfloor heating. It costs 2.5p every time you boil a kettle and the average household boils the kettle over six times a day. When put in perspective like this, electric underfloor heating systems quickly become the most viable heating system for wet rooms and bathrooms!
Warm tiles
Say goodbye to freezing cold wet room or bathroom tiles and hello to warm comfort and warmth. Your system can run even more efficiently with porcelain tiles too. Dense porcelain disperse heat evenly and remain warmer for longer, meaning you can turn off your heating system quicker but still enjoy the warmth and benefit of the system.
Low maintenance
Electric underfloor heating systems have no moving parts, no water-filled pipes, and no perishable components. This means these systems rarely break down once installed, and there is less risk of property damage from burst pipework than traditional heating or water based underfloor heating systems. Don‘t forget that every ThermoSphere electric underfloor heating system comes with a lifetime warranty too!
Interior design
Electric underfloor heating are subtle and work behind the scenes to not impact the layout or design of wet rooms and bathrooms. Using these systems means there is no need to install a radiator, giving you more space in your room and more even heat dispersal. This extra wall space is great for creating a coherent minimalist and modern look in your room.
Dries & reduces slip risk
As well as giving you warmth and comfort, an electric underfloor heating system efficiently dries a wet room or bathroom floor. Whilst this is a very practical solution to get rid of standing water, it also means that there is less risk of an unfortunate slip for anyone using the room!
Adds value to your home
Similar to wet rooms, did you know that underfloor heating adds value to your property and attracts more buyers? Once seen as a lavish commodity, these systems are now so energy efficient and practical that installing once in your home is seen as future proofing!
How does electric underfloor heating work?
It's actually a very simple process, revised and improved through years of use and study into a cost and energy efficient system! An electric current runs through a loose wire electric heating cable which builds up heat through resistance. This cable sits in a membrane and is usually clipped in place in different formations depending on how much heat you need in each area. These membranes are thermally insulating and waterproof - perfect for wet rooms and bathrooms!
The final part of this system in the thermostat. As well as standard manual and programmable underfloor heating thermostats, Smart and Wifi underfloor heating thermostats are now available, meaning you can control the heating from your smart device - from anywhere.
Many choose to improve the thermal efficiency of their system with added insulation boards and membranes. Like the aforementioned membranes, insulating boards like tile backer boards are waterproof too and ready to be tiled directly onto.
A final thought...
The use of electric underfloor heating in both homes and commercial premises grows everyday. Combining electric underfloor heating and wet rooms or bathrooms allows you to make the best use of your space in both a stylish and practical way. Here at Tile Fix Direct we're advocates of wet room and bathroom underfloor heating, and we help people just like you select their perfect system every day.
We only work with trusted underfloor heating brands like Schluter and ThermoSphere whose innovative products represent the perfect marriage of practicality and price point. If you want to specify your own system, we sell underfloor heating cables, underfloor heating mats, membranes, and thermostats individually. If you'd prefer an electric underfloor heating kit that has all you need in one box, our electric underfloor heating kits provide a fully tailored solution with everything you need.
For further reading on this topic, please see ThermoSphere's ' Why electric underfloor heating is perfect for wetrooms' blog post.