CFA Underfloor Heating Guidance Addresses the Evolving Landscape of UFH

In February 2024, CFA launched Beyond Installation – CFA Guidance on Underfloor Heating as a benefit to its members, providing some additional guidance regarding underfloor heating and specifically how legislation is likely to affect the flooring industry and the whole supply chain.

This guidance addresses the evolving landscape of underfloor heating (UFH), particularly in light of the proposed Future Homes Standard. Coming into effect in 2025, the Future Homes Standard will ensure that new homes built from this date will produce 75–80% less carbon emissions than homes built under the current Building Regulations. As part of this, the declared government intention to transition to clean energy includes the initiative for the large-scale adoption of heat pumps in place of traditional heat sources.

The Future Homes Standard will make significant advances to Part L of the standards, which sets out minimum energy efficiency performance for new homes and non-domestic buildings, expanding upon the the 30% uplift in CO₂ emission standards adopted to Part L in 2021 compared to 2013. The changes to housebuilding regulations, which also includes significant revisions to Part F (ventilation), are a focus of the UK government’s strategy to deliver net zero by 2050.

As a result, UFH can be expected to rise in new builds as an energy-efficient heating solution that provides even heat distribution and operates at lower temperatures while still effectively warming up a space. Beyond Installation – CFA Guidance on Underfloor Heating provides context to this projected trend and explains in precise detail how UFH works, how it can be operated correctly in line with the British Standards and the considerations involved. The document is therefore of considerable value to architects, designers, manufacturers, distributors and contract flooring companies.

For further information the document is available as a members-only benefit in the CFA Member Area.