Your chosen heat emitter will have a big role to play in the overall efficiency of your home’s central heating system. So how do you go about choosing the right solution?

This UFH from Polypipe uses clip-in floor panels to secure the UFH pipework. Screed is then poured over the top.

When it comes to keeping a consistently comfortable living environment, making sure you have the right heating output is crucial. While the aesthetic of flickering flames in a stove is attractive, it’s usually limited to a room or two. Instead, your main emitter options for whole-house heating tends to be between toasty radiators and sleek underfloor heating (UFH). Your design preferences will come in to play here, as well as practical considerations, like your chosen heat source. It’s normally worth speaking to a professional heating engineer to determine the best solution for your home.

How do they work?

Radiators offer speedy response times, plus they are easy install and have simple controls, so it’s no wonder they’re still a popular solution. Traditionally, these appliances were positioned under windows so that the cold air pushes the radiant and convected heat around the room. “Thanks to major improvements in double glazing and other insulation techniques, this positioning isn’t always necessary, and you can find something that will work in most situations,” says Nick Duggan from The Radiator Centre. Your chosen heat source will pump hot water, usually about 80°C, through your pipe network to the radiators.