Underfloor Heating for New Builds
Fitting neatly into the build schedule, affordable and highly efficient, underfloor heating is a must-have in a new build project.
Considerations around underfloor heating for new build
Underfloor heating (UFH) is the ideal solution for the modern, new build home. It’s discrete, efficient, and creates a wonderful, ambient warmth throughout the house.
Whether you’re building a house out of super-insulated panels, timber frames, or traditional brick and block, we’re here to help you create your ideal heating scheme.
Why choose UFH for a new build?
Underfloor heating is not only the ideal system to pair with low temperature heat emitters, it gives you the freedom to create light, open-plan interiors, unconstrained by radiators!
Easy to install
It’s affordable
Efficiency with a heat pump
Installing UFH on the ground floor
For most new build projects, underfloor heating will be installed on the ground floor, within the screed layer at first fix.
Screed can take a while to warm-up from cold so, for the most comfortable experience, we recommend keeping the thermostat at a constant low temperature, even if the room is unoccupied. This ensures that the system quickly gets up to temperature when required.
Tip: liquid pumped screed offers better conductivity ratings than hand-mixed screed!
Can I have UFH on the first floor?
Underfloor heating can be installed wherever you need it, including upstairs on the first floor.
There are systems designed to be used between joists in suspended timber floors as well as with POSI joists/Truss Joist I-joists (TJI joists). It can also be applied in screed over solid floors.
You can adjust the heat output in individual rooms so you can keep your bedrooms at a comfortable, lower temperature. Plus, it works very efficiently under carpets/underlay that have a suitable tog rating.
Can I have radiators & UFH in the same house?
Yes, it’s very common to have radiators and underfloor heating in the same house.
The key thing is to connect each system independently to the boiler because radiators run at higher flow temperatures than underfloor heating.
Our manifolds have blended valves so the flow water returning from the radiators is mixed with the boiler flow in order to deliver water at the right temperature to the underfloor heating.
Radiators are from a bygone era and don’t really have a place in modern home design
Dan and Nina Rowland used Nu-Heat for their sustainable, multi-story new build.
What type of heat source can I have?
Underfloor heating offers outstanding heating performance with any thermostatically controlled heat source, whether that source is a combi boiler or a heat pump. You simply need to design the system to account for their differing heat outputs.
For example, heat pumps supply hot water at a lower flow temperature (typically 40°-45°C) than a boiler (50°-55°C). So, if you’re designing an underfloor heating system which is paired with a heat pump, you’ll probably need to place the system’s hot water pipes closer together than you would for a boiler to maximise the amount of heat which is conducted through the floor deck.
Part L building regs
Part L Building Regulations covers the energy performance of buildings in England and Wales. All projects, whether retrofit or new build, must adhere to them.
Recent changes to the regulations mean that the maximum flow temperature for newly installed heating systems has been lowered, from 80oC to 55oC.
This means radiators may have to be larger to warm rooms effectively. The good news is that underfloor heating systems are already optimised to run at the lower heat!
Find the right UFH system for your project
Use the Underfloor Heating Selector Tool to find the right system for your project.
Other considerations around UFH in a new build
There are several considerations when planning your system, such as where to place the manifold(s), or what floor finish/es to apply (e.g. tiles, engineered boards, or carpet).
We recommend you talk to your UFH supplier before purchasing your system so that they can advise you on the best options for your property.
Cost of UFH in a new build
The cost of your underfloor heating will vary by system and project. For example, the clipper plates used in screed systems are usually the cheapest option to buy, but you also need to factor-in installation costs which are likely to be significantly higher with screed.
How to install UFH in a new build
Underfloor heating systems sourced from a single supplier should provide everything that would be needed for a successful installation, including fully compatible components that will deliver a confirmed and verified heat output.
Our professional design service will create a fully worked-up installation plan including recommended layout for your pipework, and professional support as required (you’ll need a heating engineer and electrician to connect and commission your system).
Importance of UFH design
We recommend you get an expert to design your underfloor heating system, particularly when laying pipework between joists to ensure that you optimise the heating output. Heat output can be altered by factors such as the room layout, ceiling height, and the joist layouts, all of which an expert designer can take into account within their final plan.
Our project engineers deliver a dedicated service to customers and our design team are available to provide advice – including full and detailed plans, if required.
Choosing an UFH company
Working with a single supplier means you can be confident that your system will work to its optimum level of efficiency, taking into account the many factors associated with your project (e.g. insulation, heat source, ceiling heights, room layouts etc).
We offer award-winning customer service, a bespoke room-by-room heat loss design, and lifetime technical support. So, you can simply sit back and enjoy the warmth!
Real life new build projects
Find out more from customers who have installed Nu-Heat systems in their new build projects.
A dream clifftop home becomes reality
Ann and Wyndham Collins had no hesitation in working with Nu-Heat when building their dream home.
Energy efficient heating completes high end housing development
A stunning development of five detached barn-conversion-style new build homes in Appledore, Kent.
A familiar plot becomes a forever home
Graham and Frieda Garrett knew exactly where they wanted to build their cosy and efficient forever home.
Want help finding the right new build underfloor heating solution?
We would love to speak with you to discuss your project. If you have a question about your existing Nu-Heat system, our technical support team are at hand.