Posted 22 November 2023

Underfloor heating schedule advice?

We have a new home and the whole of the downstairs has underfloor heating attached to the boiler. Currently all room schedules are set to 18 degrees 24/7 apart from the utility room which is turned off as we don’t spend more than a few minutes in there. Is this the best way to keep a reasonably warm house whilst keeping bills under control?

The radiator thermostats upstairs are set to 10 degrees and we just heat when necessary (currently 30 mins in a morning and 30 mins at 4pm) but underfloor heating takes a lot longer to heat so we can’t seem to use it as and when we need it. The lounge is only used from about 7pm-10pm each evening so am I best letting the temp drop and putting the schedule up for those hours or would it cost more to heat the room back up? Any advice greatly appreciated thanks!
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  1. AMaky's avatar
    It is more economical to keep the house at constant temperature, rather than do burst that don't warm house through in 30 mins.
    Set it to a temperature you want and let it come on automatically.
    AndyRoyd's avatar
    It is more economical to keep the house at constant temperature
    is a myth (assuming the constant temperature will be the desired comfort temperature),
    but your good intention is appreciated.
  2. AndyRoyd's avatar
    Based on OPs quoted "boiler" application (not heat pump application):
    It’s cheaper to reheat your home than it is to keep it on low all day when you’re not there.
    says credible Energy Saving Trust.

    Other EST re-quotes by MSE, ML and every low-end tabloid looking for clickbait:
    if you're keeping the heating on all day, you're losing energy all day
    and
    it's better to heat your home only when you need it
    although in reality for low inertia / response time systems such as OPs the inclination will be to maintain a constant but low temp then tolerate short time to boost to comfort temp,
    rather than leave to drift towards anti-frost then endure long time / pre-plan boost to comfort temp as and when required.
  3. PS5's avatar
    How big is your downstairs? We have water UFH via boiler but only for about 50m2 (other rooms would be carpet and rads).
    Our home is modern and well insulated and it is set to come on around 5am and is up to 22.5 set temp by 6.30 when we come down.
    It then goes off Mon-Fri until tea time.
    I can imagine that a small boiler may take a long time to heat a much larger concrete slab than ours though.
    What temperature is the water blending valve set to?
  4. yellowplum's avatar
    This is all really depending on the setup, your boiler and many other circumstances. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. We have underfloor heating at the back of the house when we remodelled it. The system is linked to the boiler, and weather comp system. The temperature and heat curve is set and can be adjusted for your own personal circumstances.

    It is on 24hrs a day, however it only hits peak during the morning and on again in the evening, the other times it ticks to maintain a constant temp.

    This has been like it for 5 years we've had the system and compared to the older boiler it has reduced our usage by 5k units a year.

    I would suggest you look at the system you have installed rather than trying to take an arbitrary approach that fits all.
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