1. Poor System Design – Uneven Heating & Cold Spots
Good floor heating isn’t just about laying pipes under the floor—it’s about engineering a system that delivers even, comfortable warmth across your entire home.
What happens with cheap systems?
❌ The same pipe spacing is used everywhere, meaning some rooms (like bathrooms) will be too cold.
❌ Heat loss isn’t properly considered, leaving cold areas near windows or external walls.
❌ The heat source is too small for the home, meaning the system struggles to keep up in winter.
The result? Some parts of your home will feel perfectly warm, while others will feel cold and underheated—and fixing the problem later is expensive (or impossible).
✅ What to look for:
- A custom heat load calculation for your home (not just a generic system layout).
- Pipe spacing adjusted for different areas (closer spacing in high-heat-loss zones).
- A properly sized heat source to avoid an underperforming system.
2. Cheap Materials – A System That Won’t Last
A hydronic floor heating system is buried under your floors. If something goes wrong, you can’t just lift up a carpet tile and fix it—you need to rip up the entire floor, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
What happens with cheap systems?
❌ Low-quality piping that degrades over time, leading to leaks under your floor.
❌ Poor-quality insulation that allows heat to escape, forcing the system to work harder.
❌ Substandard fittings and valves that fail within a few years, requiring expensive replacements.
The result? A system that starts breaking down after just a few years, leaving you with huge repair costs or a heating system that simply doesn’t work.
✅ What to look for:
- European-made PEX pipes with a 100+ year lifespan.
- Proper thermal insulation to prevent heat loss and reduce energy costs.
- High-quality pumps and fittings that are built to last.
3. No or Poor Insulation – You’ll Be Paying for Wasted Heat
Floor heating works best when the heat goes up into your home—not down into the ground. Without proper insulation, you lose up to 80% of your heat into the soil. That means:
❌ Higher running costs – You’ll need more energy to get the same level of warmth.
❌ Slower heat-up times – Your system will take hours (or even days) to reach the right temperature.
❌ A system that can’t keep up in winter – Heat loss might be so high that your home never feels properly warm.
This is one of the biggest hidden costs in cheap systems. You might save a few thousand dollars upfront, but you’ll pay thousands more in energy bills every year.
✅ What to look for:
- Proper slab insulation (XPS or EPS board) installed under the heated floors.
- Thermal breaks at slab edges to prevent heat leaking into the foundation.
- A heat pump or boiler properly sized for your home’s heat loss factors.
4. A Cheaply Installed Heat Source – High Running Costs & Breakdowns
The heat source (boiler or heat pump) is the heart of your floor heating system. If it’s low quality or not installed properly, you’ll have ongoing problems.
What happens with cheap systems?
❌ Low-efficiency gas boilers that cost a fortune to run.
❌ Undersized heat pumps that struggle in winter and wear out quickly.
❌ No thought given to airflow, meaning heat pumps overheat or break down.
The result? Your heating system either costs a fortune to run or fails within a few years, forcing you to replace major components long before you should have to.
✅ What to look for:
- A European-made heat pump with a high efficiency rating (COP 4.5 or higher).
- A properly ventilated installation area for heat pumps to prevent overheating.
- Correctly sized equipment based on your home’s heating needs.
5. No After-Sales Support – You’re on Your Own if Something Goes Wrong
Most cheap heating installations don’t come with long-term support. The installer might be happy to take your money, but when you call with a problem, you hear:
❌ “That’s not our responsibility—call someone else.”
❌ “That’s just how the system works—you’ll have to live with it.”
❌ “We don’t offer servicing or repairs—try another company.”
This is where cheap systems become expensive—because when something goes wrong, you’re left scrambling to find (and pay for) someone else to fix it.
✅ What to look for:
- A company that installs, services, and maintains its own systems.
- A minimum 2-year installation warranty with support if issues arise.
- Remote monitoring options (for heat pumps) to detect problems early.
How to Avoid These Problems & Get a System That Works
The lowest price isn’t always the best deal—especially when it comes to a long-term investment like floor heating. The real question isn’t, “How much does it cost upfront?” It’s “How much will it cost me in energy, repairs, and frustration over the next 10 or 20 years?”
Cheap Floor Heating Systems vs. Properly Designed Systems
| Feature | Cheap Installation | Euroheat’s Proper Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Even, consistent heating | ❌ Some rooms cold, others too hot | ✅ Designed for perfect warmth in every space |
| Long-term reliability | ❌ Pipes and fittings fail within years | ✅ High-quality materials last decades |
| Running costs | ❌ Higher energy bills due to heat loss | ✅ Insulated, efficient system keeps bills low |
| Installation warranty | ❌ Little or no after-sales support | ✅ 2-year installation warranty + servicing |
| Future-proofing | ❌ Gas reliance, no solar integration | ✅ Compatible with solar & designed for long-term savings |
If you’re planning to stay in your home for years to come, it’s worth investing in a properly designed and installed system that:
✔ Heats your home evenly and efficiently
✔ Costs less to run over time
✔ Is built to last, with no nasty surprises
At Euroheat, we design, install, and maintain premium floor heating systems that deliver perfect warmth, minimal running costs, and long-term reliability.
If you’re considering floor heating for your home, get in touch with us today for a custom consultation—because the cheapest system upfront is often the most expensive in the long run.
