Many homeowners love the idea of warm floors, but wonder:
âť“ Do I need floor heating in every room, or just key areas?
đź’° Is it cost-effective to install floor heating in only bathrooms and living spaces?
⚡ Will it still be energy-efficient if I don’t heat the whole house?
The short answer? Yes—installing hydronic floor heating only in high-use areas is a smart, cost-effective solution.
Let’s break down:
âś” Which rooms benefit most from floor heating
âś” How partial heating affects running costs
âś” When a mix of heating systems makes sense
1. The Best Rooms to Install Floor Heating In 🏡✅
🚀 Some areas of your home benefit from floor heating more than others.
✅ 1. Bathrooms – The Most Popular Choice 🚿🔥
âś” No more cold tiles in winter.
âś” Dries floors faster, reducing mould and moisture buildup.
âś” Can be programmed to turn on automatically before you wake up.
✅ 2. Living Rooms – Maximum Comfort for Relaxation 🛋️🏡
âś” Keeps the main gathering area of your home warm & cosy.
âś” Perfect for open-plan homes, where heat rises and traditional heating struggles.
âś” Works well with tiles, polished concrete, or engineered wood flooring.
✅ 3. Kitchens – Ideal for Hard Floors 🍳❄️
âś” Floors stay warm even on cold mornings.
âś” Works well with stone or tiled kitchen floors.
✅ 4. Bedrooms – A Personal Preference 🛏️🔥
✔ Some homeowners love warm bedroom floors, others don’t mind cooler rooms.
âś” If bedrooms are well-insulated, they may not need floor heating.
🚀 Key takeaway: If you only choose 1–2 rooms, bathrooms and living areas provide the best comfort-to-cost ratio.
2. How Running Costs Compare: Whole-Home vs. Partial Heating 💰⚡
💡 Example: Cost comparison for heating different areas in a 200m² home:
| Heated Areas | Installation Cost | Running Cost (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Whole House (200m²) | $45,000 – $55,000 | $400 – $1,000 |
| Living Areas + Bathrooms (80m²) | $25,000 – $35,000 | $250 – $600 |
| Bathrooms Only (10–15m²) | $8,000 – $15,000 | $100 – $200 |
🚀 Key takeaway:
âś” Focusing on key rooms reduces installation costs while still providing comfort.
âś” Running costs are significantly lower when only heating small areas.
âś” If paired with a heat pump and solar, heating key rooms can be close to zero-cost.
3. Should You Combine Floor Heating with Other Heating Systems? 🔄🔥
🚀 A hybrid approach can be the most practical and cost-effective solution.
đź’ˇ Best hybrid setups:
âś… 1. Floor Heating in Main Areas + Radiators in Bedrooms
âś” Uses the same hot water system for both.
âś” Radiators heat up faster, so they work well for occasional use.
âś… 2. Floor Heating in Bathrooms + Split-System Heating for Bedrooms
âś” Bathrooms stay warm and dry with floor heating.
âś” Bedrooms can be heated on demand with an efficient split system.
âś… 3. Floor Heating in Open-Plan Living Areas + No Heating in Rarely Used Rooms
âś” Open spaces stay warm without wasting energy on guest rooms.
âś” Works well in WA homes with mild winters.
🚨 Biggest mistake: Installing floor heating in rooms you rarely use—this increases costs without much benefit.
4. Is It Worth Installing Floor Heating in Only Bathrooms? đźšżđź’ˇ
💡 If you love warm tiles, installing floor heating in only bathrooms can be worth it—but consider these factors:
âś… Pros of Bathroom-Only Heating:
âś” Smaller installation cost compared to whole-home heating.
âś” Eliminates cold floors in winter mornings.
âś” Keeps bathrooms dry and mould-free.
❌ Cons of Bathroom-Only Heating:
✔ Higher running costs per m²—small areas are less efficient than whole-home systems.
âś” Takes longer to heat up compared to whole-floor systems.
✔ Less overall comfort—won’t warm the rest of the home.
🚀 Best compromise? If budget allows, consider expanding heating to living areas as well—this provides better comfort without a huge cost increase.
5. Final Thoughts – Should You Install Floor Heating in Just a Few Rooms? ✅🏡
🚀 Yes—if you want to reduce installation costs while still getting maximum comfort.
âś” Bathrooms & living areas benefit the most from floor heating.
âś” Partial heating lowers both installation and running costs.
âś” A hybrid setup (floor heating + radiators/split systems) can work well in larger homes.
âś” If budget is tight, heating only bathrooms is still worth considering.
đź“ž Want expert advice on the best heating setup for your home? Contact Euroheat Australia today for a custom-designed floor heating system that fits your needs!
