14 min read
Chris Hedges
:
Nov 14, 2022
After the success of our ‘The top 5 electric underfloor heating brands for 2022?’ blog, we thought it would only be right to update it for 2023 and we’ve also included ‘ones to watch’. This blog has been written to give you an unbiased view of the options available from, who we believe, are the popular electric underfloor heating brands in the UK. So, if you are a homeowner, installer or a contractor, then we hope that this ‘top 5 underfloor heating brands to look out for in 2023’ gives you what you need to help you make a decision that’s best suited to you.
You are probably wondering what information we used to make the top 5 electric underfloor heating brands list for 2023. We combined our extensive knowledge of the industry with information which is publicly available. We cover the types of electric underfloor heating (including thermostats) available from the popular brands in the UK, and provide details on the warranty, service, and a little bit about them.
Just before we get into the nitty gritty, any quotes used have been taken directly from the website of the underfloor heating brand and if any tweaks are made it will only be in relation to grammar and nothing else.
So, if you are looking for an overview of what options are available for your next electric underfloor heating project, read on.
If you just want to read about a particular electric underfloor heating brand, click on the links below.
Warm Up
ProWarm™
Schlüter®
Heat Mat
ThermoSphere
Ones to watch
Snug
Mapei
“Warmup are a British-based research driven company, focusing on developing innovative heating solutions that bring energy-efficient warmth to our customers’ lives. We aim to drive the global use of energy-efficient heating solutions through our commitment to research, product innovation and exceptional service. We want to change the way people heat their homes by developing heating systems that are smarter and easier to use whilst offering both lower energy consumption and luxurious comfort. With our radiant heat technologies, we’re working towards creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for all of us. Warmup won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, 2020.”
Warmup offer both wet (hydronic) and electric underfloor heating systems. So, we can compare like for like, we’ll just be covering their electric underfloor heating systems.
DCM-PRO
An ideal electric underfloor heating and decoupling system for tiled floors. The DCM-PRO system helps to protect tiled floors from cracking and forming gaps due to seasonal temperature changes.
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
StickyMat
Warmup’s StickyMat system boasts an ‘ultra-thin 1.8mm wire’. The system comes with pre-spaced heating wire which is attached to an adhesive mesh mat that is rolled over the floor.
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
Foil Heater
This Foil Heater solution offers a dry installation because there is no need for screed and self-levelling. It’s ideal for use with floating floors or under soft floor finishes such as engineered wood.
Warranty: 15 Year Limited
Loose Wire
The Loose Wire System is a heavier heating cable that is good to use in rooms that are irregularly shaped or have lots of permanent fixtures.
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
Inscreed Cable
Designed to be installed within a concrete screed and suitable for most floor finishes. It is also a great system to use if the floor covering is changed multiple times during the lifetime of the system.
Warranty: Lifetime Limited
Manual
MSTAT is Warmup’s manual thermostat and can be used with both electric and wet underfloor heating systems. MSTAT allows the user to immediately adjust the temperature just by turning a simple dial.
Warranty: 3 years
Programmable
There are two programmable thermostats available from Warmup, the Tempo and the 3iE. The Tempo thermostat is easy to use and offers dial-based functionality and a digital screen. “The Tempo’s Proportional Adaptive Function learns the time it takes to warm the room and activates the heating early so it is up to the right temperature when needed.” It can also be used with all of Warmup’s electric underfloor heating systems.
According to Warmup’s website the 3iE is “the world’s first fully interactive, touch technology, energy-monitor thermostat.” It’s also the “first thermostat with a 2.4-inch full colour screen and integrated touch technology – patent protected.” It comes with a wide choice of screen themes and provides great heating control which helps to reduce energy waste.
Warranty: 3 years (both models) – you can upgrade the warranty for £24.99 inc. VAT
Smart
If you want to use your phone to control your heating, Warmup offer the 4iE Smart WiFi thermostat, the 6iE Smart WiFi thermostat and the Element WiFi thermostat. All models can be used to control wet or electric underfloor heating and work with Warmup’s free MyHeating™ app which is available on the Google Play Store and the App Store. According to Warmup’s website “Warmup Smart Thermostats control your heating automatically and can help you save up to 25% on your annual energy bills.” In addition the 6iE comes with a Smartphone touchscreen and helps homeowners reduce energy bills further when it is used with Warmup’s MyHeating heating and AutoSwitch apps. It also comes with SmartGeo™ which automatically turns down the heating if you are out.
Warranty:
(6iE & Element) 12 years – with Warmup Heating System
(4iE) 3 years – Extended Lifetime Warranty available
Customer reviews
Visit Warmup on Trustpilot
“The ProWarm™ range of underfloor heating products offer the homeowner, and installer, flexible solutions to suit any project and budget. Easy to install water systems are available, perfect for new builds, or electric systems, which are ideal for retro fits as they create minimal disruption. All ProWarm™ electric systems come with a Lifetime Warranty giving you total peace of mind.
The ProWarm™ brand of underfloor heating is the best online seller in the UK. The reason for the success of our company is that our products are available at more than 30 online retailers, all approved by ProWarm™, and more than 100 UK outlets, including electrical wholesale suppliers, plumbers’ merchants, and tile shops.”
ProWarm™ offer both wet (hydronic) and electric underfloor heating systems. Electric underfloor heating systems include:
ProWarm™ underfloor heating mat system
Heating mats from ProWarm™ come in three different outputs; 100W, 150W and 200W and can be used in most rooms of a typical home. This system can work with tiles and other floor finishes, but the installation method will differ. If there are awkward spaces the cable can be removed from the mat to shape appropriately.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ loose cable system
This system is good to use for smaller and more awkward areas such as bathrooms. Because the system comes on a drum as one continuous roll, there’s more workable space for the installer and provides the capability to evenly space the cable easier in awkward spaces.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ ProGrid+ cable system
Designed to make the installation of loose laid cable more efficient and less time consuming. This pre-spaced grid system allows the heating cable to be placed in the grooves allowing the installation of the desired heat output per m2. So, there’s no need for additional tape or fixings.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ underwood foil heating system
Designed to be installed under carpet and vinyl floors. The foil mats are fully earth screened which means that they can be installed in wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Additionally, when using this system under carpet or vinyl, use the ProWarm™ dual overlay system.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ inscreed heating system
This system is designed to be laid directly under a 50mm screed or into a foil faced insulation such as Celotex. With an output of 17W per linear metre, this system is typically used in projects such as new extensions or conservatories as they take longer to heat up.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ Pro Digital
An entry-level thermostat which features clever controls. You can use either floor, air or combination sensors to control the temperature, and programme for each day of the week and up to four set points.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ ProTouch Wifi
This thermostat lets you control your electric underfloor heating without the need for a control centre. Simply pair to your WiFi at home by using the application which is available on both Android and IOS platforms. It features 7-day programmer, optimal start, and multi temperature display.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ ProTouch™ Touchscreen
Used to control either electric underfloor heating or wet underfloor heating systems, this thermostat controls the temperature well whilst reducing energy waste. It features a holiday mode, manual override, and up to four set points each day.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ ProTouch™ IQ
Released in 2014, the Prowarm™ ProTouch iQ™ is a smart thermostat which enables the user to control the electric underfloor heating system from anywhere. This thermostat requires the ProWarm™ ProTouch iQ HUB to maximise the features and allows you to create a fully controllable network for your home heating.
Warranty: Lifetime
ProWarm™ 3IE Thermostat
The ProWarm™ 3iE™ thermostat offers advanced energy monitoring which means you can see exactly what your energy costs are for the underfloor heating system. A programmable thermostat, the ProWarm™ 3iE™, features Active Energy Management™ which can help save on your energy bills via prompts asking you to test lower energy consumption levels.
Warranty: Lifetime
Customer reviews
No direct reviews of ProWarm™ are available on their website. Look at product specific reviews on their distributor sites such as Wickes, The Underfloor Heating Store and Tile Giant.
“Schlüter-Systems Ltd is the wholly owned UK subsidiary of Schlüter-Systems KG. Our base in the UK is situated at Coalville, Leicestershire, where we provide full sales and technical support for customers in the UK and Ireland. There are six other subsidiaries around the world, in France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, The United States, and Canada, plus agencies and distribution partners in many other countries.
Here in the UK, Schlüter was founded in 1993, and is now headed up by Managing Director Joachim Backes, with the help of a dedicated senior management team.
The Schlüter team works closely with distributors, resellers, tiling contractors, architects and specifiers - providing the best customer service available - actively helping to ensure a long lasting, attractive installation. Schlüter's renowned technical expertise includes advising architects, specifiers and contractors, before they carry out the installation, preventing tomorrow's problems.”
All the systems below are designed to work with The Schluter DITRA HEAT E HK Heating Cable.
Schlüter®-DITRA-HEAT
Schluter DITRA HEAT Matting is a polyethylene membrane which is ideal to use with a tile floor finish. It works as an uncoupling, crack bridging, waterproofing and vapour pressure equalization layer. It can be installed for floors as well as walls.
Warranty: 15-year limited lifetime warranty
Schlüter®-DITRA-HEAT-DUO
Schluter DITRA HEAT DUO includes a thermal fleece layer which is laminated to the underside of the mat. According to Schlüter® the addition of the thermal fleece layer ‘reduces impact sound by 13dB, and enables a faster heat-up response, with 80% more heat directed to your tiled floor than standard matting.’
Warranty: 15-year limited lifetime warranty
Schlüter®-DITRA-HEAT-PS & Schlüter®-DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS
Both systems are self-adhesive versions of the ones above and have pressure sensitive adhesive laminated to the underside. If you are installing these systems, you must ensure that the substrate is flat, clean, dust free, dry, smooth, rigid and load bearing, with no deflection. It can be replaced only if no pressure has been applied to it and the heating cable can be installed as soon as the mat is in position and secured.
Warranty: 15-year limited lifetime warranty
Schluter DITRA HEAT E R
A programmable thermostat to be used with DITRA HEAT Electric Underfloor Heating System. This thermostat features a 5.1cm (2″), easy-to-use backlit touchscreen display and a manual mechanical main switch. It also comes with pre-set and adjustable programs, selectable room settings and an energy consumption display.
Warranty: 3-year limited
Schluter DITRA HEAT WIFI
This thermostat is based on DITRA HEAT E R but allows for more customisation and works alongside the Schluter-HEAT-CONTROL app. By using the app, “users can control each thermostat individually or group multiple thermostats together to form heating zones of their choice. Multiple devices can use the app and multiple users can control the system, remotely adapting settings to their individual requirements.”
Warranty: 3-year limited
Schluter DITRA HEAT E R3
The DITRA HEAT E R3 thermostat is a programmable thermostat with a large backlit touchscreen display. Similar to the other programmable thermostats in the Schluter range, It comes with pre-set and adjustable timer programs, selectable room settings and an energy consumption display.
Warranty: 3-year limited
Schluter DITRA HEAT E R4
The DITRA HEAT E R4 is Schluter’s manual thermostat. You can simply turn on / off the electric underfloor heating system and adjust the heating intensity by turning the dial. There is also a feature whereby if the system drops below a minimum temperature, the heating will start.
Warranty: 3-year limited
Schluter DITRA HEAT E R6
The DITRA HEAT E R6 is Schluter’s smart thermostat and makes control of electric underfloor heating easy. It provides a good selection of options when it comes to control. It can be operated manually by using the touchscreen, remotely using WiFi in conjunction with the Schluter-HEAT-CONTROL app or by voice control using an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant smart home device.
Warranty: 3-year limited
Customer reviews
There are a few reviews on distributer websites that relate to the electric underfloor heating system and on their Facebook page.
“Heat Mat is one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of electric underfloor heating in the UK and has become the brand name of choice for the professional installer.
We manufacture innovative ranges designed to satisfy the unique requirements of the UK market and provide cost effective heating systems. Over the last twelve years we have led the market in the development of what have now become standard products, including the introduction of sole source heating 200W/sqm systems, fully earthed underlaminate ranges and BEAB approved products.”
Undertile Heating Mats
Heat Mat’s undertile heating mats are available in a wide range of outputs. For example, 110W (for well insulated areas), 160W (go to option for most floors and rooms), 200W and 240W (for high heat loss areas). According to Heat Mat’s website the range from 160W and up can be used as a source of sole source heating for well insulated properties.
Warranty: Lifetime
150W Combymat System
Ideal to use with both floating laminate and engineered floorboards up to a thickness of 18mm. The cut and turn design helps to speed up installation and the system is 18th Edition compliant without any additional earthing required.
Warranty: Lifetime
Undertile Heating Cables
Suited for installation in complex or small areas. The heat output can easily be matched to the homeowners requirements by altering the spacing of the heating cable. An output range of between 80W/m2 and 230W/m2 is possible for virtually any floor finish.
Warranty: Lifetime
Decoupling Membrane
Used with loose underfloor heating cables, Heat Mat’s decoupling membrane is designed for use specifically with Heat Mat’s 3mm PKC range and suited for use under tiles. The membrane protects the heating cable during the installation of the floor tiles and an approximate output of 150W/m2 can be achieved by alternating a 3 stud and 5 stud spacing on the membrane.
Warranty: Lifetime
In-Screed Heating Cable
Heat Mat’s in-screed heating cable is great for a project where a new screed floor is going to be laid. Great to use in large spaces and for any floor covering. You can take advantage of cheaper rate electricity by warming the floor overnight ready for the heat to be ‘released’ during the next day. The 5mm cable can also be used outdoors.
Warranty: 15 years
Manual
The manual thermostat available from Heat Mat is the TPS31. It’s suitable for rooms where a timer is not required, the TPS31 is easy-to-use and has some hidden functionality – heating scheduling. This can be turned on or off.
Warranty: 3 years
Programmable
Heat Mat’s only programmable thermostat offering is the touchscreen NGTouch. Depending on your lifestyle the NGTouch has different modes that you can use to control your underfloor heating. Modes include; holiday mode, eco mode or boost mode. The NGTouch also allows you to monitor energy use in kW and £s and you can switch it to perform as a manual thermostat if you prefer.
Warranty: Lifetime
WiFi
Heat Mat offer a wider range of WiFi thermostats than programmable. This range of controllers uses “App based adjustment including compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, Google Assistant and IFTTT.” Heat Mat’s HC90 WiFi thermostat offers remote operation from anywhere in the world via its companion App while the touchscreen also allows easy in-home control. The neoStat-e is another option. It’s a clever bit of kit as it uses the location feature on your Smartphone to know when you are out. It turns the heating off and that means you are saving on energy consumption.
Finally, there is the NGTouch. It can be used to control any of Heat Mat’s underfloor heating systems and doesn’t need a hub to unlock its full potential. The touchscreen thermostat allows remote control from a n app whilst you are away from home.
Warranty: Lifetime
Customer reviews
Difficult to find many independent reviews. However, a few customer testimonials can be found on their website.
We’re a British-based manufacturer that has been designing electric heating systems since 1998. By combining our expertise in electric heating and our drive for technological innovation, we deliver a range of smart, efficient, and eco-friendly electric heating solutions, helping our customers enhance living spaces that are naturally better by design.
Through electric heating, our mission is to transform the way homes are heated, facilitating comfortable, seamless and energy-efficient living spaces, while cutting environmental impact.
We offer electric underfloor heating systems and more. Check out the full range.
Mesh
Designed and made in Great Britain and only 3.5mm thick, the fully self-adhesive mesh sticks to the substrate wire side down which protects the fully earthed TwistedTwin heating cable and speeds up the installation process.
Available in outputs of 100W/m2, 150W/m2 and 200W/m2, the pre-spaced heating cable creates an even and consistent heating output.
Compatible with all types of floor finishes and projects, from new build to refurbishment.
Warranty: Lifetime
Membrane
Award-winning ThermoSphere Membrane is a decoupling and heating system in one. This electric underfloor heating system is perfect for floors finished with tile or stone. Rated IP68, ThermoSphere Membrane is ideal for bathrooms and wet rooms when combined with our tanking kit.
The decoupling membrane layer is used to encase our unique TwistedTwin electric heating cable at variable spacing to provide outputs of either 195W/m2 or 130W/m2. Rated for extra heavy use in the Robinson Test, it is the most robust heated decoupling system available.
As the only supplier to offer both a fleece-backed and self-adhesive option, you can easily choose the system that is right for your project.
Warranty: Lifetime
Foil
Another award-winning system, ThermoSphere Foil is the safest and most advanced electric underfloor heating system that’s designed to heat engineered timber, laminate, carpet or vinyl floor finishes and at only 1.5mm thick, there is minimal impact on floor height.
ThermoSphere Foil is a hard-wearing foil designed for a long-lasting installation with efficient heat transfer. The double layer of foil is specifically designed to protect the heating element and achieve an even spread of heat to the floor above. It is also the only heating foil with a continuous earth braid to ensure complete protection and safety.
Equipped with a cushioning underlay, the heating cable inside ThermoSphere Foil is embedded to remain totally protected from abrasion. Accessible cable loops simplify cut and return installation and provide protection for the heat element after installation is complete.
Warranty: Lifetime
Inscreed Heating Cable
A versatile electric heating system which is designed for installation within the screed layer of new build or renovation projects where floor height is not an issue. The TwistedTwin heating cable comes with full earth protection and a robust PVC coating that protects the heating element during installation.
Suitable for installation in concrete screeds of 40mm to 100mm depth and energy efficiency can be maximised by fixing the cables to foil faced insulation.
Warranty: Lifetime
Manual
A simple and easy-to-use thermostat that turns electric underfloor heating on or off, and temperature made directly on the thermostat. It comes with a built-in ambient temperature sensor and external floor sensor for accurate temperature management.
Warranty: 3 years
Programmable
Available in both black or white, this programmable thermostat comes with a wide range of energy saving features including flexible heat scheduling, energy saving adaptive start as well as ambient and floor temperature sensing modes. It’s easy to programme using the touch panel display and the backlit LED panel makes the display even easier to read.
Warranty: 3 years
Bluetooth Programmable
The Bluetooth Programmable Thermostat (BT21) is fast, practical, and easy to set up and program. By using the app, you can set up a heating schedule in seconds and use dial to adjust the temperature should you prefer a more manual approach.
The BT21 works with all the most popular sensor probes. So, if your existing underfloor heating thermostat is a pain to use or just an eyesore on your wall, you can replace it with ease.
Warranty: 3 years
SmartHome
If you are looking for an underfloor heating thermostat with all the smarts, then the SmartHome Thermostat could be the perfect fit. It's jam-packed full of energy saving features which makes it easier to control your heating in a simple and more efficient way, whilst saving you money in the long run. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home so you can control your electric underfloor heating with your voice.
All the ThermoSphere SmartHome thermostat features are available via the app. For example, adjusting the temperature and editing the heating schedule. To enable a true smart home experience, it is essential that the SmartHome Hub is connected.
Warranty: 3 years
Dual Control
The Dual Control thermostat not only allows easy control of your electric underfloor heating but also control of an extra heating appliance such as a towel bar or mirror demister.
It can be installed as either landscape or portrait orientations and includes eight different screen background colours to blend with the look and feel of any room. It’s also feature rich. For example, it learns how long your floor takes to heat up and reduces energy consumption, which helps to save you money on your heating bills.
Warranty: 3 years
Customer reviews
Visit ThermoSphere on Trustpilot
Snug Underfloor Heating is the underfloor heating brand of First Trace who are a family business in Preston. Snug offer both electric underfloor heating and water underfloor heating systems and a wide selection of thermostats.
At the time of writing this article, Snug offer mesh heating mats (Snug Mat 160 and Snug Mat 200), a foil mat (Snug Mat FME) a loose cable system (Snug Cable 10) and an in-screed system (Snug Cable 18).
Warranty: Lifetime for heating cables and 2-years for thermostats.
Most of you who are reading this would have heard of Mapei. They are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemical products for the building industry and popular within the tiling community.
On the 11th August 2022, Mapei announced the extension of its alliance with nVent and therefore launched Mapeheat underfloor heating products in the UK. The electric underfloor heating range includes; Mapeheat Membrane, Cable and Mesh, all of which can be controlled by the following thermostat options; Mapeheat Thermo Basic (manual), Thermo Touch (programmable) and Thermo Connect (smart).
Warranty: 25 years as standard or lifetime for heating systems (when registered online) and 2-years for thermostats.
When it comes to electric underfloor heating brands, there are quite a few to choose from and they are similar in many ways. So, for peace of mind we would recommend doing some digging around review sites to see what they are like in terms of service and support. Also, it’s worth looking at the warranty in detail to put your mind at ease that you are covered should something unfortunate happen to the product. Always go for quality over anything else because you’d thank us in the long run.
All information contained within this blog was correct at the time of publishing. If you do have any changes or updates to include, please email marketing@thermosphere.com.
As always, if you have any questions about electric underfloor heating, contact one of the team.
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