Electric underfloor heating for older and new buildings

Warm feet, a cozy atmosphere, and completely invisible technology: Electric underfloor heating warms bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces, or offices evenly from below without a radiator taking up wall space. With a built-up height of just 3 to 4 mm, our heating mats can be installed in both new builds and renovations of older buildings, without extensive structural work.

Why electric underfloor heating is convincing

The heat is generated evenly across the entire surface directly beneath the floor covering, rather than at a single point from a radiator. This creates a pleasant indoor climate without cold zones or the dry air produced by conventional convection radiators. Since no air is circulated, no additional dust is stirred up either - an advantage for allergy sufferers. Warm surfaces also prevent condensation and therefore mold growth, for example in the bathroom. Technically, the system stands out for its simple design: no pumps, valves, or moving parts, but a service life of 30 to 40 years and virtually maintenance-free operation. The purchase and installation costs are also usually significantly lower than those of a hydronic underfloor heating system; see the cost comparison below.

The right solution for every room

The recommended heating output and size depend on how the room is used and the floor covering. Our standard 160 W/m² mat is sufficient for most living spaces; in the bedroom, reduced output is usually enough due to the desired cooler sleeping temperature, while a higher output level is recommended in poorly insulated rooms or conservatories with large glass surfaces.

Structure and components

Our 160 W/m² heating mats are designed for mineral floor coverings such as tiles, natural stone, or screed and are installed directly in tile adhesive or thin-bed screed. They are available in sizes from 1 to 12 m² and can be combined to suit the room size.

Two thermostat variants are available for control. The digital thermostat with touchscreen regulates the temperature to an accuracy of ±0.5°C, with a weekly program and up to six time windows per day. If you also want to control the heating via an app or voice assistant, choose the WiFi thermostat with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant connectivity, including consumption display and remote access. Both thermostats are also available as complete sets together with a suitable heating mat, floor sensor and German installation instructions.

Installation in five steps

First, the floor area is measured and the appropriate mat size is selected, deducting fixed fixtures such as the bathtub or toilet. The substrate is then cleaned, dried and primed if necessary. The heating mat is rolled out from the power connection and temporarily secured, while the floor sensor is placed in a protective conduit between the heating cables. Before the tile adhesive is applied, an electrician tests the mat using a continuity measurement. It is then embedded in the adhesive and the tiles are laid as usual. After a curing period of approximately 28 days, the initial heat-up is carried out gradually before the thermostat is programmed for final use. The electrical connection itself must always be carried out by an electrician in accordance with VDE regulations; the mat can also be installed as a DIY project.

The most common installation errors are easy to avoid: switching on the heating mat too early, before the adhesive or screed has fully cured; placing the floor sensor directly on the heating cable instead of between the cables; or skipping the continuity test before laying the tiles. The mat should also be omitted beneath permanently installed fixtures such as the bathtub to prevent heat buildup.

Costs and cost-effectiveness

Using the example of a 10 m² bathroom, the economic advantage of the electric solution over conventional radiators becomes clear when viewed over a ten-year period.

*Calculated based on 2 hours of full-load operation per day and €0.30/kWh.

Operating costs can be reduced further through smart control. A timer program with a lower temperature outside usage hours saves up to 40 percent compared with continuous operation, while room-by-room control can save up to 30 percent because only rooms that are actually being used are heated. Operation is particularly economical in combination with your own photovoltaic system: A smart thermostat uses surplus solar power during the day for heating and stores the heat in the screed, noticeably reducing costs compared with drawing power exclusively from the grid.

Electric or hydronic: The difference

Compared with hydronic underfloor heating, the electric version has advantages particularly in terms of purchase, installation, and installation height, making it especially suitable for retrofitting individual rooms and for older buildings with limited ceiling height. Hydronic systems are often cheaper to operate with gas or oil, but they are considerably more complex to install and are difficult to retrofit on a room-by-room basis. For a single bathroom, a kitchen, or in combination with a photovoltaic system, the electric solution is usually the more practical and economical choice.

Legal information

The electrical installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician in accordance with VDE 0100; installing the heating mat yourself is also permitted. Under the German Building Energy Act, electric underfloor heating can be recognized as a heating system if it is operated with green electricity or in combination with a photovoltaic system. Tenants need the landlord's consent for installation, as it constitutes a structural alteration; owners of condominiums can decide freely within their own unit.

Frequently asked questions about electric underfloor heating

What are the operating costs of electric underfloor heating?

At 160 W/m² and an area of 10 m², the connected load is 1.6 kW. With around 2 to 3 hours of operation per day and an electricity price of €0.30/kWh, the costs amount to approximately €1.20 per day or around €36 per month. A timer program can reduce costs by up to 40 percent.

Can electric underfloor heating be installed beneath every type of flooring?

Tiles, natural stone, and screed are ideally suited. Laminate, vinyl, or multilayer bonded parquet are only conditionally suitable and require special heat-compatible versions according to the manufacturer's specifications. Carpeting and solid plank flooring are unsuitable due to their insulating or movement-related properties.

How long does it take for the underfloor heating to warm up?

Depending on the floor covering, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes to reach the target temperature, which is significantly faster than hydronic underfloor heating. A time program can be used to preheat the room automatically before it is needed.

Is electric underfloor heating suitable as the sole heating system?

This is possible in well-insulated new builds and small to medium-sized rooms, especially in combination with a heat pump or photovoltaics. In less well-insulated buildings or larger areas, it is more suitable as supplementary heating, for example in the bathroom and kitchen or during the transitional season.

Can I install the underfloor heating myself?

Installing the heating mat can be done as a DIY project and is comparable to laying tiles. However, the electrical connection must be carried out by a licensed electrician in accordance with VDE regulations.

How long does electric underfloor heating last?

When professionally installed, its usual service life is 30 to 40 years. Since it contains no pumps, valves, or other wear parts, operation is virtually maintenance-free.

Can underfloor heating be combined with photovoltaics?

Yes, this is a particularly cost-effective combination. A smart thermostat can use excess solar power during the day for heating and store the heat in the screed instead of feeding the electricity into the grid unused.

Is electric underfloor heating safe for your health?

Yes. Since no air is circulated, it does not stir up additional dust, which is an advantage for allergy sufferers. The even heat distribution, as well as the low-convection heating without dry air, generally create a pleasant indoor climate. Warm surfaces also prevent condensation and thus mold growth.

Is electric underfloor heating the right choice for you?

It is particularly well suited if you want to retrofit individual rooms such as a bathroom or kitchen, if there is little available installation height in an older building, if a renovation with new flooring is already planned, or if you own or are planning your own photovoltaic system. It is generally less suitable if you plan to heat the entire house exclusively without photovoltaics or a heat pump, if carpeting is intended, or if the building is very poorly insulated. If in doubt, we will be happy to provide non-binding advice on the right solution for your project.