Underfloor Heating: 7 myths busted! Mythbusting with Mesh Energy

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For the first post in our new Mythbusting with Mesh Energy series we're taking a look at underfloor heating.

Installed and loved by many, but for a large number of people it is still not properly understood; even by professionals! In this post we'll outline the top seven myths and, as usual, we will endeavour to blow these myths out the water and pave the way for you to be able to make sensible heating decisions with the right information at hand!

Myth 1: Underfloor heating is only suitable for new homes

There is no doubt that if you are building a new highly-insulated home that underfloor heating can be simply integrated. But if you have an existing building, there are a dizzying array of systems that can allow you to benefit from areas of your home on all floors being heated in this way with no radiators on the walls. From low-profile overlay systems to plate emitter and pre-routed gypsum boards, the choice is impressive. With proper care, these systems can transform the comfort level in an existing home.

Myth 2: Electric underfloor heating is cheap, easier and better than a wet system

Electric underfloor heating is cheaper to buy at around £40/m² (compared to around £70-£100 per m² for wet systems) and best suited for one off rooms, typically bathrooms where wall space is limited. There is also little actual skill involved in installing the tech so it is within the realms of a DIYer; roll it out, wire it up to a power supply and thermostat and off you go! But beware: running costs will likely be triple the cost of a wet system using heated water running through pipes and the longevity of electric systems is poor compared to the 50-year warranties you often get for wet underfloor heating systems.

Underfloor heating: 7 myths busted! Mythbusting with Mesh Energy

Myth 3: You can't control room temperature properly

Modern and widely available underfloor control systems can utilise both traditional analogue and modern digital control. The latter allows for precise room temperature control up to half a degree, which is significantly better than you would hope to achieve with an analogue dial thermostat.

In fact, if you have a new system installed in a home and rooms are correctly zoned, you can program and control different temperatures for different rooms from a single location, so bathrooms are a nice and cosy 22 Celsius, whilst bedrooms are a comfortable 18 Celsius. Modern smartphone apps even allow you to make changes to your home heating whilst you are abroad. Control doesn’t get much better than that!

Myth 4: Underfloor heating doesn't work with carpet flooring

This is simply untrue. The general rule here is that TOG ratings should be below 1.5 and heavy large rugs should be avoided. There are thousands of home owners who are having carpeted rooms heated just fine and there is no reason why you shouldn’t too.

During the room pipe work design, engineers cater for carpeted areas in most living spaces and make sure that plenty of pipe is installed.

Myth 5: Underfloor heating reacts too slowly to be of any use

Modern intelligent systems can be programmed to fit your lifestyle and many “learn” when to start to ensure that the room is at your desired temperature at a given time in the day. The convention in most homes now is to keep the home at a steady temperature just a few degrees below the ideal temperature during the night, or when you go on holiday, with a small nudge required to get the home back up to temperature when you return.

If used in this way, underfloor heating systems are very responsive and far more economical to run.

Myth 6: You can't install underfloor heating upstairs

We hear this one a lot, and there are often two reasons; structural and cost/benefit. It's true that a wet system with a thin screed does add additional weight but, with caution, “lightweight” systems can be installed that have no need for a screed.

As for cost/benefit there is more money invested in a first floor heating system but, depending on your requirements, you gain intelligent individual room heating and additional wall space for all your bedroom furniture and bathroom fittings which very few people consider.

Myth 7: Underfloor heating will crack and distort wooden floors

Again, many people have underfloor heating successfully installed with wooden floors in the UK and Europe. Most wooden floors installed with under floor heating are engineered and therefore are very thermally stable. Natural wooden floors are a different beast as these have a higher moisture content and are much less resilient to changing humidity and moisture ingress. As a general rule, higher density woods are preferred, and maximum allowable moisture contents should be 7%.

So, there you have it! We hope this post has helped to bust some common myths for you and that you now have more confidence in your decision making for your purchase of a new underfloor heating system. Good luck!

If you still have any questions about underfloor heating,
please don't hesitate to contact the Mesh team today.

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Our Christmas Message

by Doug Johnson • 9 December 2025

As the year draws to a close, the Mesh team has been out in the community helping to spread some much-needed festive cheer. From fundraising in Santa suits, food donations for local families and donating warm clothing for those who need it most, the team has embraced the spirit of giving in the run-up to Christmas. Running for a Cause: The Guildford Santa Fun Run Despite the wet weather, members of the Mesh team braved the elements for the Guildford Santa Fun Run, raising money for the children’s charity, Challengers. Joined by Jacqueline Smith from our client TALO, Mesh’s Founder and Director Doug Johnson, along with Maria Fiore and Ilianna Filippopoulou, completed the festive run in full Santa attire. The team also reached their fundraising target, helping Challengers continue its exceptional work in supporting disabled children and young people in the community. Supporting Local Families in Need through the Lions Christmas Food Parcel Appeal For another year, Mesh proudly supported the Lions’ Christmas Food Parcel Appeal, helping to provide food parcels to individuals and families in need over the festive period. Thanks to the generosity of the Mesh team and many local businesses and residents, a huge selection of donated goods is now being sorted and delivered by the incredible volunteers at Lions Farnham. This annual initiative continues to be a meaningful way for us to support vulnerable members of our local community during what can be a really challenging time of year. The Coats for All Initiative Mesh has also taken part in the Coats for All initiative, a brilliant scheme that distributes warm, good-quality coats to anyone who needs one. Through the generosity of colleagues, friends, and partners who donated pre-loved coats in excellent condition, we are helping to ensure that more people can stay warm this winter. Many local libraries are acting as collection points, making this a simple but impactful way for people to support others in the colder months — and we are proud to play our part. According to Mesh Founder and Director, Doug Johnson: “Community sits at the heart of Mesh, and it’s been inspiring to see our team give their time, energy and generosity to support such worthwhile causes - not just this Christmas but throughout the year. Whether running through the rain, collecting food, or fundraising for local charities, everyone has contributed to making a real difference — and I couldn’t be prouder.” At Mesh, we believe that small acts of kindness create meaningful impact. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, participated, or volunteered this year. We look forward to continuing our community support into 2026 and beyond."

Bringing Some Festive Cheer to Our Community This Christmas

9 December 2025

As the year draws to a close, the Mesh team has been out in the community helping to spread some much-needed festive cheer. From fundraising in Santa suits, food donations for local families and donating warm clothing for those who need it most, the team has embraced the spirit of giving in the run-up to Christmas. Running for a Cause: The Guildford Santa Fun Run Despite the wet weather, members of the Mesh team braved the elements for the Guildford Santa Fun Run, raising money for the children’s charity, Challengers. Joined by Jacqueline Smith from our client TALO, Mesh’s Founder and Director Doug Johnson, along with Maria Fiore and Ilianna Filippopoulou, completed the festive run in full Santa attire. The team also reached their fundraising target, helping Challengers continue its exceptional work in supporting disabled children and young people in the community. Supporting Local Families in Need through the Lions Christmas Food Parcel Appeal For another year, Mesh proudly supported the Lions’ Christmas Food Parcel Appeal, helping to provide food parcels to individuals and families in need over the festive period. Thanks to the generosity of the Mesh team and many local businesses and residents, a huge selection of donated goods is now being sorted and delivered by the incredible volunteers at Lions Farnham. This annual initiative continues to be a meaningful way for us to support vulnerable members of our local community during what can be a challenging time of year. The Coats for All Initiative Mesh has also taken part in the Coats for All initiative, a brilliant scheme that distributes warm, good-quality coats to anyone who needs one. Through the generosity of colleagues, friends, and partners who donated pre-loved coats in excellent condition, we are helping ensure that more people can stay warm this winter. Many local libraries are acting as collection points, making this a simple but impactful way for people to support others in the colder months — and we are proud to play our part. According to Mesh Founder and Director, Doug Johnson: “Community sits at the heart of Mesh, and it’s been inspiring to see our team give their time, energy and generosity to support such worthwhile causes - not just this Christmas but throughout the year. Whether running through the rain, collecting food, or fundraising for local charities, everyone has contributed to making a real difference — and I couldn’t be prouder.” At Mesh, we believe that small acts of kindness create meaningful impact. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, participated, or volunteered this year. We look forward to continuing our community support into 2026 and beyond."

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Volunteering in the Surrey Hills

5 November 2025

Members of the Mesh team joined a local charity to help with a tree planting project on the Hampton Estate. This was organised by the Surrey Hills Society, an independent charity who do some great work to encourage people to spend time in the beautiful Surrey landscape. According to Mesh Director Doug Johnson: "We are always looking for volunteering ideas and this charity's work fits so well with our sustainability values. This was our second volunteering day this year. It is very much part of our ethos and culture to make a difference to our environment. These events are also a fantastic opportunity to bring our team together. Thank you to the Surrey Hills Society for a really good day in the autumn sunshine. It’s just so good for the soul!" Five members of the Mesh team joined the day – travelling from Worthing, Bristol and as far as Exeter to help out.