There are two ways of comparing heating systems. These are: The UK housing population typically uses the radiator heating system to heat their homes. This is an uneconomic method of space heating because a small radiator will have to heat a large room, therefore needing very high temperatures (80°C) to be effective.

Because heat rises, the heat from a radiator will go straight to the ceiling. Here it will bounce into cool air and start to convect, (be turbulent). Radiators can leak, will eventually rust and can prohibit you to decorate your room as you would like to. The advantage of the radiator system is that it is responsive; heat can be quickly emitted, though it can then take a while to cool down because a large amount of heat has been emitted in order to heat the space. Underfloor heating is hidden. The pipes are plastic, or plastic coated aluminium, and cannot rust. Underfloor heating uses the entire floor surface as a radiator, therefore needing much lower temperatures. Underfloor heating is kind to the environment and kind to your wallet. Underfloor heating radiates gently, not spreading dust and bacteria around the room. Underfloor heating gives you a feel of comfort. The heating system is relatively slow to respond when turned on, but its purpose is not to give quick blast of high output heat, but to steadily emit heat over a period of time, adding to the efficiency and costs saved on heating bills. This system works very well with energy-friendly heat pump technology. The illustration below shows a comparison of temperature profiles for various methods of heating.