Under Floor Heating

Underfloor Heating at Mitre 10

Underfloor heating delivers gentle, even warmth from below, warming cold tile and stone floors in bathrooms, kitchens and living areas. Electric underfloor heating mats and cables suit bathroom and kitchen renovations, while hydronic systems run hot water through pipes embedded in concrete slabs for whole-home heating. All underfloor heating must be installed by a registered electrician or plumber, and electric mats need a dedicated thermostat circuit.

Is underfloor heating expensive to run?

Electric underfloor heating uses around 150 to 200 watts per square metre, so a 5m² bathroom mat draws about 1kW at full output. Running the heating on a timer for two hours in the morning and evening typically costs $1 to $2 per day at average New Zealand electricity rates. Hydronic systems powered by a heat pump cost significantly less to run over whole-home areas.

Can I install underfloor heating myself?

You can often lay the heating mat or cable during a tiling or flooring project yourself, and some brands are marketed as DIY-friendly. However, every underfloor heating system must be connected to the mains supply by a registered electrician under New Zealand wiring regulations, and the thermostat must be wired into a protected circuit. Hydronic systems also need a registered plumber for the pipework and manifolds.