BACKHave you ever wondered about the best way to elevate your favourite spaces? The answer is simple – under carpet heating is a solution that takes any room from just 4 walls and turns it into your personal sanctuary.
Under carpet heating has become a fast favourite for new builds and renovations in homes, offices, and community spaces. If you are not familiar with the concept, we’re here to let you know why this might be the best solution for you. After all, there is nothing quite as comfortable as waking up to toasty warm carpeted floors.
What is Under Carpet Heating?
Electric carpet heaters are made up of heater elements that generate radiant heat. Radiant heating is different from traditional air-pushing heating systems. Instead of heating the air first, under carpet heaters bring warmth directly to the floor surfaces in the room. The result is a consistent, gentle heat that rises into the room, making for the cosiest living space.
Speedheat has specialised electric carpet heaters that are wrapped in a thin layer of foil for optimal thermal conductivity. The under carpet heaters are sandwiched between a high-quality PET reinforced aluminium foil carrier. The top layer is specially designed to support radiant heat, resulting in your carpets being heated evenly and effectively where the heaters are placed.
The Benefits of Under Carpet Heating
Consistent and Elevated Comfort Year-Round
Under carpet heating is a flexible and efficient way to create the extra layer of comfort you may be looking for. With an even, and gentle heat distribution where the elements are placed, it provides a perfect level of comfort on crisp winter nights and consistency year-round.
The way underfloor heating creates warmth from the ground up mitigates the risk of problems that are common with alternative air-pushing heating methods, such as cool drafts, dryness of skin, and having cold feet. With the utilisation of thermostats, under carpet heating can also be programmed to provide consistent temperatures. This is very beneficial for people that may struggle with body temperature regulation, such as young children and the elderly.
Not Just For Bedrooms
Because of its versatile nature, under carpet heating perfectly pairs with many types of rooms. For spaces that you may find yourself occupying for only a couple of hours at a time, such as TV rooms, home offices, and playrooms, it offers quick comfort that you can adjust in real time according to your preferences. It’s a flexible heating solution that provides convenience and warmth where and when you need it.
Energy Efficiency That Creates Cost Savings
One of the standout advantages of under carpet heating is its energy efficiency. Radiant heat warms a space from the ground up, reducing the need for high operating temperatures and ensuring minimal energy waste.
In well-insulated homes, under carpet heating can act as the primary heating source, eliminating the need for more traditional forms of heating like wall-mounted heaters or radiators. Over time, these savings can be substantial, especially when combined with renewable energy systems, such as solar power. This provides energy-conscious homeowners with the perfect solution to heating their home without negatively impacting the environment.
If you are interested in the potential running costs of under carpet heating, our running cost calculator helps to compare the running costs of various heating solutions.
Smart Home Integration
Under carpet heating is a modern approach to heating that can integrate with smart home technology. When paired with a compatible smart thermostat, such as our MWD5-VC thermostats, you have complete control over your heating system at any time and from anywhere.
You can set schedules to suit your daily routine, adjust the temperatures by zones based on where your heating is placed, monitor daily energy usage, and control the system remotely from your smartphone, meaning coming home to a chilly house is an issue of the past. You can even utilise voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home to programme your heating in real time.
With smart thermostats and zoning of your heating elements, you’re no longer heating unused areas unnecessarily, helping to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint. This level of control not only adds convenience but also enhances efficiency. You can schedule the heating to accommodate your daily routine, ensuring that warmth is delivered exactly when and where it’s needed.
Great For Households With Young Families
Under carpet heating is the perfect heating solution for households with young children, pets, or elderly family members. It is one of the safest heating options available. Because the heating elements are hidden beneath the carpet, there are no exposed surfaces or sharp edges that could cause burns or injuries. It emits no fumes or flames, and is a silent system. It creates the perfect environment for peace and quiet during nap or play time. These factors also make it a preferred choice for many retirement villages and health institutions.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Air-circulating heating methods push dust, pollen, and allergens around the room. Comparatively, underfloor heating works with radiant heat, which transfers heat through objects and doesn’t rely on air circulation. This method contributes to a cleaner, drier, and more hygienic indoor environment that is particularly beneficial for those prone to allergies or families with pets.
No More Compromise On Design
Traditional heating systems are often made up of bulky units that take up valuable wall space, limiting your choices on room layout and interior design. The only visible part of an underfloor heating system is the small thermostat, and even this can be placed remotely. This invisible and silent system frees up space and allows for a clean and uncluttered look. It gives you endless choices for furniture and art placement with no concern for blocking air flow or heat circulation. This can be particularly beneficial for small areas where every square meter matters.
Great Return On Investment
In an era where homeowners value sustainability and efficiency, underfloor heating can be a great return on investment in terms of property value. Because of its luxurious status, showcasing underfloor heating on your property listing can attract better offers from prospective buyers, similar to double-glazed windows or recent flooring renovations. It is also sought after in the property market because there is no maintenance required after installation, unlike other traditional heating solutions. Underfloor heating systems are built to last the life of the floors when installed by a trusted expert, so you can have peace of mind that you are investing in a durable, long-lasting solution for your home.
If you are interested in how underfloor heating can improve your return on investment, our blog covers everything you need to know.
The Key To Success: Carpet Compatibility
Although carpet and underfloor heating is in our opinion, the perfect pairing. It is important to check your chosen carpet type’s compatibility with floor heating as not every type of carpet is suitable.
Suitability can be determined through what is called a Thermal Resistance (TOG) rating. The lower the TOG rating, the better the heat will be able to transfer through the carpet. The total TOG (carpet + underlay) should ideally not exceed 2.5 TOG to be compatible. It is always recommended to have a conversation with your carpet manufacturer to determine if underfloor heating is compatible with your chosen flooring. For more information on carpet and its compatibility with underfloor heating, the Carpet Institute of Australia has some useful resources.
The Installation Process of Electric Under Carpet Heating
The installation process of electric under carpet heating is straight-forward and fast, making for an easy addition to your construction or renovation project. The heaters are installed directly over top of the carpet underlay and directly beneath the carpet. The under carpet heating element is placed on top of the underfelt or foam underlay. The underlay acts as an insulator, reducing downward heat loss and increasing the efficiency of the heating system. It is important to make sure no staples or nails are used to hold down the underlay so there is no risk of damaging the heating elements when they are installed over top.
The heat from the elements radiates through the carpet and up into the air above it. Because the heater elements sit just beneath the carpet, once it is switched on using a compatible thermostat, it heats up very quickly, giving you flexibility in your daily routine.
If you’re interested in seeing how carpet heaters are installed, see our YouTube video below:
Under carpet heating combines comfort, safety, and sustainability in one efficient solution. From energy efficiency and smart home integration to improved air quality and long-term reliability, it’s a system upgrade that transforms your living environment from the ground up.
Whether you’re planning for a new build or renovating, under carpet heating is a modern, future-proof way to keep your spaces warm and comfortable year-round.
When considering under carpet heating for your spaces, it is important to have support from people who consider all the variables. At Speedheat, our many years of experience have led us to become trusted specialists in underfloor heating. Our team aims to create the best outcome for each individual space so you can get the most out of your heating.
Are you ready to take the next step toward investing in your home, office, or community spaces? Contact our team today to see how under carpet heating could work in your space.