It sounds strange to say that undercarpet heating is forgettable. And yet, it is, and that’s a great thing when the reason is that the heating is safe, quiet, easy to use and comfortable. In fact, with no wires or detached parts for curious little fingers to discover, and no bumpy bits for stumbling toes to find, homeowners can be forgiven for forgetting undercarpet heating is installed at all. That is, until they feel the comfort of a perfectly and evenly warmed room in winter, or the luxury of snuggling their feet into warm carpet first thing in the morning.

So, how easy is it to install undercarpet heating, what are the costs and what will it do for clients?

A client is replacing the carpet in the bedroom. Is it easy and fast to install undercarpet heating at the same time?

Absolutely. First, an electrician will need to do the pre-wiring so that the heat pads have a power source. From there, it’s as fast as laying the carpet. The pads are installed first, with the carpet laid smoothly overtop and then the thermostat is connected.

Easy then, but electricity and water don’t get along, so how safe is it?

It’s 100% waterproof. This means homeowners can clean their carpets as they normally would, and it’s 100% safe as it’s an RCD protected circuit.

And how about heavy objects; can they cause damage?

The wires are flexible and durable. They conform to all New Zealand and international standards. That means it’s easy to move furniture without worrying about damage.

Is there anything that clients will need to be careful of?

Yes. Things like bean bags and extra thick rugs which sit on the floor without air circulating underneath can cause heat build-up. So, consider where clients will mostly place these items before installation. The pads come in a number of sizes and shapes and can be easily designed to fit around items such as these. They will still absorb the atmospheric warmth, meaning that there won't be cold spots, but at the same time, heat build-up is avoided.

Got it. Air circulation is important. Heavy objects are fine. You said that there are health benefits?

Yes. Traditional heating solutions dry out the air and can cause a lot of condensation. Many also blow air and dust with mites around the house. Not so with undercarpet heating — meaning it is a great solution for people with respiratory conditions. Combined with the even and gentle heat distribution, homeowners get a warm environment that isn’t dry, but isn’t damp either.

Fewer mould issues sounds good! And how easy is it to control?

Easy as! A thermostat gives the homeowner full control. They choose when to heat, which rooms to heat, and how much heat the environment needs.

Finally, I always imagined underfloor heating was expensive. Can we talk money?

Sure. Warmup undercarpet heating costs for an average-sized room of 10 square metres are about $900, including the heating pads, installation, and a 5-year warranty. The average running cost for that area is only about $2 a day (for 6 hours per day). This cost is indicative and is calculated @26c/kwatt/hr.

After installation, people find the actual month on month cost of using Warmup undercarpet heating is lower than with traditional heating such as gas heaters. That’s because undercarpet heating uses electricity efficiently.

It’s very much a case of invest a little extra in the beginning to reap the rewards, the health benefits, the ease and control of use — and the comfort for years to come.