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Underfloor heating and heat pumps are the ideal combination if you want a system that delivers comfort, low running costs and high energy efficiency throughout the year. Because both operate at low water temperatures, they work more efficiently together than traditional radiators and help reduce energy consumption and your household emissions. In this guide, you'll learn how a heat pump works with underfloor heating, why the two are so compatible and what this means for your comfort, costs and sustainability.

The future of home heating and cooling

Home heating is undergoing a transformation across Europe, driven by stricter energy standards, rising fuel costs and growing environmental awareness.

Underfloor heating combined with heat pump technology is leading the way, offering a low-carbon, highly efficient and incredibly comfortable alternative to traditional fossil fuel systems, for both heating and cooling.

Homeowners are drawn to the even distribution of heat, the reduced operating costs and the design freedom that comes from not having to work around obtrusive radiators.

So what is it about these two technologies that makes them so compatible? Why is an air source heat pump best for underfloor heating?

We’ll uncover the answers to these questions and more in this article, while delving deep into the science, practicality and sustainability of heat pumps for underfloor heating and hot water.

What is underfloor heating?

If you’ve ever walked on a toasty warm floor, even when it’s tiled, you’ll know just how comforting and luxurious underfloor heating feels.

With underfloor heating, the home is heated by a network of pipes laid beneath the floor, rather than radiators on the walls.

As well as that cosy feeling underfoot, heat is distributed much more evenly, so you don’t get the hot and cold spots or uncomfortable drafts that are common with radiators. There’s less dust circulation and the indoor air quality is generally better as a result.

This is because underfloor heating uses radiant heat transfer, which gently warms surfaces and objects, whereas radiators rely on the circulation of warm air.

Water-based, or hydronic, underfloor heating systems also circulate warm water at much lower temperatures than radiators - around 25–35°C compared to 45–75°C.

This lower operating temperature can cut energy consumption by 10-15% compared to traditional heating systems.

It’s also one of the main reasons why a heat pump provides the perfect heat source for underfloor heating. Daikin heat pumps are ideally suited for pairing with hydronic underfloor systems.

Why are heat pumps and underfloor heating the perfect match?

A heat pump is an innovative low carbon heating and cooling system that is growing in popularity as societies move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable alternatives.

Instead of having to burn fossil fuels to create heat, a heat pump extracts existing thermal energy from the air, ground or water, and moves it from outside to inside.

It works in much the same way as a refrigerator, except in reverse. If you’d like a deeper understanding of the technology behind this, you can read our guide on how heat pumps work.

Because of their ease of installation, air source heat pumps are the most common type of heat pump for residential homes, drawing their energy from the air outside, even at temperatures as low as -28°C.

The efficiency advantage of a heat pump

Other advantages of a heat pump include low operating costs and the ability to provide year-round heating and cooling at incredibly high efficiencies.

A heat pump can deliver 3-5 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, making it 300% to 500% more efficient than traditional gas boilers under optimal conditions.
Heat pumps are most efficient when producing water at lower temperatures, and underfloor heating is specifically designed to work at these lower levels.
By circulating warm water across a large surface area, underfloor systems can comfortably heat a room with water temperatures of around 30°C. This allows a heat pump to run at its optimal efficiency level.

You can read more about heat pump efficiency in our dedicated guide to how heat pumps work.

A stable environment, consistent comfort

Combining heat pumps with underfloor heating maintains a more consistent temperature, reducing the stop-start cycling caused by standard thermostat regulation.

This, in turn, maintains a more stable indoor environment and extends the lifespan of the equipment, because it's not having to work so hard.

As a homeowner, you benefit from reduced energy bills, a quieter heating system, and consistent comfort, instead of hot and cold fluctuations.

It’s why we’re seeing more Daikin heat pump customers choosing hydronic underfloor heating as their emitter.

What is ‘low leaving temperature’ and why does it matter?

In simple terms, underfloor heating enables your heat pump to work at lower, more efficient water temperatures.

To get a bit more technical, this synergy is down to the leaving water temperature (LWT) – that is the temperature of the water as it leaves the heat pump before being distributed to the heating system.

With underfloor heating, a typical LWT of 25-35°C is enough to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. With radiators, however, the LWT needs to be 45-75°C to reach the same level of warmth, so the heat pump has to work harder.

Optimising LWT with a Daikin Altherma heat pump, for example, can cut energy consumption by up to 20% compared to conventional high temperature systems.

Can you cool your home with underfloor heating?

While it’s called underfloor ‘heating’, did you know you can also cool your home with an underfloor system?

Modern reversible heat pumps can function as gentle cooling systems in the summer by circulating cool water through the same pipe network instead. The system absorbs excess indoor heat and transfers it outside.

This radiant method of cooling is comfortable and consistent, keeping you cool without draughts or condensation build up.

If your home is well insulated, cooling your home with underfloor heating can cost as little as €30–€50 per year, depending on the climate and usage.

As summers continue to get warmer across Europe, underfloor heating and cooling can help you feel comfortable all year round, with just one combined heating system.

What are the main components of an underfloor heating system?

A complete underfloor heating system is made up of:

A heat pump: The heat pump is at the heart of the system. It extracts thermal energy from the air, ground, or water to provide a more efficient form of heating.
Pipework and manifolds: Warm or cool water is distributed through durable PEX or multi-layer pipes embedded in the floor. These are connected to a manifold that regulates flow to each circuit.
Thermostats and smart controls: Thermostats and smart controls ensure each zone (individual rooms or areas) of your system is working at optimal comfort levels, without wasting energy.
Insulation and screed: An effective system relies on high-quality insulation beneath the pipework to prevent heat being lost into the ground below. A layer of screed on top of the pipes acts as a thermal store.

When designed and installed correctly, these components work in complete harmony to create a highly responsive, efficient and long-lasting climate control system.

As a supplier of the heat pumps and smart controls, Daikin installers will work closely with you and your underfloor heating installers, if appropriate, to make sure your system is properly designed for maximum impact.

What are the types of heat pumps for underfloor heating?

Air source heat pumps – These extract heat from the air outdoors, even in sub-zero temperatures, and turn it into efficient indoor heating or cooling for the home. They dominate the residential market due to their flexibility and relative low installation cost. They can easily be paired with underfloor heating.
Ground source heat pumps – Draw thermal energy from the earth via loops buried in the ground. They achieve higher efficiencies but do need garden or borehole space and are more expensive to install.
Water source heat pumps – These are less common but can work well in homes near lakes or rivers, offering high efficiency and a stable output.

Deciding which heat pump is best for your underfloor heating depends on a number of factors.

Daikin offers tailored solutions of all heat pump varieties, including expert advice from the outset, so you can be confident you are getting the most optimal heating system for your home and climate.

What is the difference between water-based underfloor heating and electric underfloor heating?

While Daikin heat pumps work best with water-based underfloor heating systems, you can also get electric underfloor heating, so it’s worth being aware of both types.

As we mentioned above, water-based systems operate very efficiently with a heat pump due to the lower water temperatures required.

Electric-based systems, however, operate independently from external heat sources and typically cost two to three times more to run than a water-based system powered by a Daikin heat pump.

This means your running costs will be significantly higher over the course of a heating season.

Top benefits of underfloor heating

There are many reasons why people are choosing underfloor heating as the perfect partner to their heat pump, with several lifestyle and financial benefits on offer.

These include:

Minimal maintenance, requiring just occasional inspections of the underfloor heating manifold and annual checks on the heat pump
Quiet operation – the system is almost silent with no humming fans or ticking radiators
Integrates seamlessly with smart home systems for remote control and scheduling to optimise energy use
Compatible with renewable energy such as rooftop solar to further boost efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels
Future-proofing your home against volatile energy prices providing predictable, lower running costs