Heating
Underfloor heating
This page is for anyone installing underfloor heating in a new build or considering retrofitting it during renovation. We explain the difference between hydronic and electric systems, when each is suitable, and what affects installation costs and running expenses.
Hydronic versus electric underfloor heating
Hot water The system runs pipes under the floor through which heated water from a heat source - a boiler or heat pump - flows. It is a solution for entire rooms or whole houses, but it requires connection to the heating system and more space within the floor build-up. Electrical Underfloor heating uses heating cables or mats installed in the floor and connected directly to electricity; it is simpler and faster to install, but more expensive to operate over larger areas because it is a direct electric heating source.
| Hot water | Electrical | |
|---|---|---|
| Zdroj tepla | boiler or heat pump | direct electricity |
| Where it fits | new build, entire house | smaller area, supplementary unit (bathroom) |
| Installation complexity | higher, connection to the heating system | lower cost, faster installation |
| Inertia | higher | low to medium, depending on type |
For which house or room
Hydronic underfloor heating as the primary heat source makes the most sense in new builds, where the floor structure is designed from the outset with sufficient height. In renovations where floor height is limited, low-profile hydronic systems are used, or underfloor heating is restricted to selected rooms. Electric heating is commonly used as a supplement where running water pipes is impractical or expensive: typically in bathrooms or smaller rooms added later.
Combination with a heat pump
Hydronic underfloor heating requires a lower supply water temperature than radiators, which complements... with a heat pump - the lower the water temperature, the higher the heating factor and the more efficient the heat pump operation. The combination of underfloor heating with a heat pump is one of the reasons why both technologies are often designed together in new builds.
Floor composition and height
The classic wet construction with pipes embedded in a concrete screed is thicker and provides better heat accumulation, making it primarily suitable for new builds. For renovations, low-profile variants with a thinner build-up are available, fitting even where there is no space to raise the floor by several centimetres. The exact height and build-up are always determined by the project for the specific room, not by general rules.
What affects the price
The price depends on the area, system type (hydronic vs electric), installation complexity (wet vs low-build), connection to the heat source and room-by-room control. An indicative price range per square metre can be found at page with price guidesThe exact price will be determined by the project and an on-site survey.
Subsidies
Underfloor heating is usually not a standalone grant item but can be part of a broader project supported by the programme. Nová zelená úsporámtypically in combination with replacing the heat source or adding insulation. Conditions change over time; check the current status on the programme's website.
Provoz a regulace
Underfloor heating is best regulated room by room, as each space has different heat losses and temperature requirements. Due to higher thermal inertia, the system responds more slowly to temperature changes than radiators, so it works best with control that adjusts the temperature in advance rather than reacting only to immediate demand.
Common mistakes
The most common problem is underestimating the design of pipe and cable composition and spacing relative to room heat loss, using electric heating as the main source for a large area without considering operating costs, and poorly designed or missing zonal control, which then leads to uneven heating of individual rooms.