Why You Should Leave Wet Underfloor Heating On All the Time

Wet underfloor heating (UFH) is becoming the go-to choice in modern London apartments. It’s sleek, hidden, and provides luxurious comfort underfoot. But there’s a common mistake many homeowners and tenants make: turning it off and on like a radiator. 

What is Wet UFH? 

Wet UFH uses warm water that circulates through pipes embedded beneath your floor to heat the space above. It heats from the ground up, delivering gentle, radiant warmth. 

Unlike radiators, which quickly heat and cool, UFH is a slower system – more like a cruise ship than a speedboat. And that’s precisely why you shouldn’t keep switching it off. 

Why You Should Keep It On Constantly at a Steady Temperature 

1. It’s More Energy Efficient UFH works best at lower temperatures. Keeping it at a steady setting avoids the energy surge needed to reheat a cold slab every morning. 

2. The Floor Acts as a Heat Battery Especially in apartments with screed floors, the system takes hours to heat up or cool down. Turning it off wastes that built-up warmth. 

3. Prevents Cold Spots On/off cycles create peaks and troughs. A steady low heat ensures even warmth across the floor, no matter the time of day. 

4. Protects Your Home and Comfort Consistent temperature helps maintain humidity levels, which benefits wood floors, artwork, and overall comfort—especially important in luxury apartments. 

5. Helps Your Boiler Last Longer Boilers don’t like being switched on and off constantly. A steady heat demand reduces strain and improves efficiency. 

Apartment-Specific Advice: 

If you live in a London flat with underfloor heating, it’s likely you’ve got a well-insulated space designed to retain warmth. That makes UFH ideal for background heating. Set it between 18–21°C, and let it do its job. 

💡 Bonus tip: If your UFH is controlled via zones, keep bedrooms slightly cooler and bathrooms warmer. 

FAQs: Underfloor Heating Energy Use 

Isn’t it more expensive to keep heating on all the time? Not with UFH. Because it runs at lower temperatures, keeping it steady avoids the costly energy spikes of reheating a cold floor. 

Can I still turn it off when I’m away? Yes—but if you’re only away for a day or two, just lower the temperature slightly rather than turning it off. For longer trips, a full system shutdown makes sense. 

How long does UFH take to heat up? Typically 2–4 hours depending on floor thickness and insulation. This is why 'on-demand' heating doesn’t work well with UFH. 

How do I know if my system is working efficiently? Regular servicing helps. We’ll also show you how to set your thermostats and explain how to use your system properly — or reset it if you’re not sure. 

Service and Support 

At MaintainMyHome, we specialise in planned preventative maintenance for luxury  apartments across London. If you're unsure how your underfloor heating system should be set up, we’ll walk you through it. 

🛠️ We don’t just service underfloor heating. We show tenants and owners how to use it, reset it, and even help property managers avoid unnecessary callouts. 

✨ That’s proactive maintenance done properly. 

📞 02 0369 50901 📩 fixme@maintainmyhome.uk  

The only maintenance company exclusively focused on luxury London apartments.