What Is Under Floor Heating? A Sparkie’s Guide for Aussie Homes

Date Posted:19 September 2025

Why Under Floor Heating Is Gaining Ground in Australia

Under floor heating is exactly what it sounds like — a radiant heating system installed beneath your flooring that warms the room from the ground up. Instead of blowing hot air like ducted systems, it works silently and evenly, giving you consistent warmth without drafts or dust.

It works particularly well under tiles, stone, and engineered flooring, making it the perfect heating system for bathrooms, kitchens, and open-plan living spaces. With Melbourne and Hobart mornings hitting near-freezing and Canberra winters plunging even icier, more Aussies are looking at radiant floor heating as a smart, modern option. Pair it with solar or battery systems, and it becomes an energy-conscious upgrade that keeps your home cosy and efficient.

Comparing Electric & Hydronic Under Floor Heating Systems

When it comes to heated flooring, there are two main types: electric heating floor mats and hydronic floor heating (water-based). Here’s how they stack up:

Heat-up time:
- Electric: Quick, around 30–60 minutes — ideal for bathrooms and daily use.
- Hydronic: Slow, around 2–3 hours — not great if you only want to switch on the warmth when you get home.
Power usage:
- Electric: Around 150W per m² — responsive and efficient when paired with smart thermostats or solar.
- Hydronic: Mostly pump energy (20–30W per m²).
Install depth:
- Electric mats: Slim at 3–5 mm — perfect for renovations and retrofits.
- Hydronic pipes: 50–70 mm embedded in slabs — suited only to major new builds.
Cost & use cases:
- Electric: Lower upfront install cost, fast to lay, and great for zoned heating.
- Hydronic: Higher install cost, but more efficient long-term. Only applicable for whole-home systems or new builds.

Both provide safe, silent, and comfortable warmth, but electric is usually the best option for Aussie households.

Electric systems heat up quickly, making them ideal for bathrooms (or for anyone who doesn’t want to leave the heat running all day). Electric systems are cheaper and faster to lay, even if you’re renovating rather than tackling a new build.

Plus, Aussies enjoy sunshine year-round, meaning that solar can help you offset the slightly higher power usage of electric vs hydronic

Radiant Heating & Solar Compatibility: Why It Matters in Australia

One of the biggest advantages of radiant floor heating is how natural and comfortable it feels. Instead of blasting hot air into a room like a split system or blow heater, radiant warmth heats the surfaces and people directly. That means the whole space feels evenly warm, without the stuffy air or cold draughts you get with traditional systems. And of course, the warm feet make a nice change.

Because there’s no air movement, radiant systems are also better for people with asthma or allergies — no dust, no pollen, no dry air. The warmth is held in the floor and walls, so the room stays cosy even after the system switches off.

Pairing under floor heating with solar panels or a home battery makes it even more efficient. Electric mats can run when your solar is producing, keeping running costs low. In fact, many homeowners find this cheaper to run than small blow heaters or split systems, especially in tiled bathrooms and living areas where radiant heat is retained longer.

It’s silent, invisible, allergy-friendly, and energy-smart — a modern way to heat your home that just feels better.

Meet Thermonet, Thermoscreed & Thermoslab

At MJS Electrical, we only stock the best. So, naturally, we stock options from Thermonet Under Floor Heating that cover everything from a small ensuite to a full-home fit-out:

Thermonet Electric Heating Mats

Output: ~200W/m²
Install depth: for installation in screed between 20 mm and 50 mm thick
Best for: bathrooms, ensuites, and large rooms
Features:
- Pre-spaced mat for quick installs
- Thin profile to avoid raising floors
- Compatibility with Wi-Fi or programmable thermostats

The high heat output of the 200W makes this system perfect for rooms prone to high heat loss.

Thermoslab Under Floor Cable Systems

Output: 30W/Lm, configurable 100–200W/m²
Install depth: 50–70 mm, embedded in screed or slab
Best for: large projects, new builds, and full-home heating
Features:
- Flexible design for custom layouts
- Long-lasting and durable
- Great for pairing with solar or off-grid setups

It’s a versatile heating solution that can be used in various applications, including under tile, under carpet, and even in screed installations.

Thermoscreed In-Screed Cable Systems

Output: ~18W/Lm (adjustable by cable spacing)
Install depth: 20–50 mm screed layer
Best for: medium–large rooms, kitchens, and spaces in constant use
Features:
- Robust, hard-wearing cable with advanced PVC protection
- Flexible spacing to customise heating output (recommended 180–200W/m² under screed)
- Provides an efficient ‘thermal mass’ effect — once warm, the screed holds heat for hours
- Fully waterproof (IP67) and safe for wet areas like bathrooms

Thermoscreed matting is now available in a convenient kit that has everything you need for installing your under floor heating, except for insulation. The kit includes cloth tape, which is the standard fixing method for the matting.

Choosing the Right System

When it comes to heating your home, radiant under floor heating is hard to beat. It’s silent, invisible, allergy-friendly, and provides a natural warmth that feels more comfortable than hot air from blow heaters or split systems. With Thermogroup’s under floor cable heating choices, you’ve got options to suit any project.

Every home is different, and choosing between mats, screed, or slab cables comes down to your floor type, renovation/building plans, and how you want to use the space. That’s where MJS Electrical Supplies comes in.

Our team is ready to help you match the right under floor heating system to your project, so you can enjoy the comfort and efficiency of radiant warmth for years to come. Explore our full under floor heating range or get in touch with MJS Electrical Supplies today for expert advice on the best fit for your home.

(02) 9726 3111