Underfloor heating: electric or water, what is the difference
Underfloor heating warms the home from the floor. It can be electric or run on hot water. This guide explains the difference, what to consider before deciding and which rules apply.
Reviewed on 5 October 2026. Informational guide: it does not replace a professional assessment or the official text of the rules cited.
How each type works
- Electric underfloor heating: heating cables or mats under the flooring, powered from the fuse box and controlled by a thermostat.
- Water underfloor heating: a circuit of pipes under the floor carrying hot water produced by a heat pump, aerothermal unit or other generator, with a manifold and thermostats.
What differs between them
- The installation: electric is mostly electrical work; water-based combines plumbing, the unit that produces the heat and the electrical control side.
- The heat source: water-based needs a generator (for example aerothermal or an electric boiler with a tank); electric does not.
- Maintenance: water-based has a circuit to check and bleed; electric needs thermostats and connections checked.
What to consider before installing
- The building work: it normally involves the flooring, so it is easier in new builds or renovations. In an occupied home each case is studied.
- The floor height available and the type of flooring.
- How you will power it: mains electricity, aerothermal, electric boiler with a tank…
- Whether you already have other heating and want to combine them.
Which rules apply
The thermal side is governed by the RITE, which refers to authorised companies; the electrical side by the REBT. If the generator contains refrigerant, handling it requires certification (Royal Decree 115/2017).
When to call a professional
- You want underfloor heating and do not know whether it suits your home.
- An area of the floor does not heat or the thermostat does not respond.
- You notice damp or pressure loss in a water circuit.
Send us a photo and your area on WhatsApp: we will advise you and give you a quote. We reply during working hours (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 19:00, excluding public holidays).
Frequently asked questions
Can underfloor heating be installed without building work?
It normally involves working on the flooring. Low-profile solutions exist for renovations and are assessed during a visit.
Can it be combined with air conditioning?
Yes, they are independent systems. It depends on your home and how you want to heat and cool.
Who installs it?
Plumbing, climate control and electrical work are involved. We work in all three trades.
Sources and rules cited
- MITECO: RITE, Regulation on thermal installations in buildings (in Spanish)
- REBT, Royal Decree 842/2002, BOE (in Spanish)
- Royal Decree 115/2017 (fluorinated gases), BOE (in Spanish)