If you are planning a new build in Dublin – whether you are a property developer putting up a housing estate or a self-builder finally getting the keys to your dream home – one of the most important decisions you will make early in the process is how you plan to heat it. And more and more builders across Dublin and the wider Leinster region are arriving at the same conclusion: underfloor heating is no longer a luxury. It is fast becoming the smart, practical, and cost-effective standard for modern construction.
At Green Energy Homes, we have helped hundreds of homeowners and developers across Dublin install underfloor heating systems that work seamlessly with today’s most efficient heat sources. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know before you pour that first slab.
Why Underfloor Heating Makes Perfect Sense for New Builds?
Retrofitting underfloor heating into an existing property is possible but costly. When you are building from scratch, you have a golden opportunity to install it properly from the very beginning – at a fraction of the cost and disruption compared to retrofitting later.
New builds in Dublin are typically required to meet strict Building Energy Rating (BER) standards. A well-insulated, airtight new build combined with underfloor heating and a renewable heat source like an air source heat pump can comfortably achieve an A-rated BER – which adds real market value to the finished property.
Types of Underfloor Heating Systems
Before anything else, it helps to understand the two main types of underfloor heating systems available to new builders in Ireland.
1. Wet (Hydronic) Underfloor Heating
This is the most popular system for new builds. Warm water circulates through a network of pipes laid beneath your floor screed. It connects to your central heating boiler or, ideally, an air source heat pump.
Why do developers love wet systems?
- Lower running costs over time
- Works brilliantly with low-temperature heat pumps
- Suitable for large open-plan spaces
- Works with a wide range of floor finishes – tiles, stone, engineered timber, and LVT
2. Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric mats or cables are embedded beneath floor tiles or screed. These are faster and cheaper to install but cost more to run day-to-day. Most suited to:
- Bathrooms and en-suites
- Smaller rooms or areas where wet systems are impractical
- Renovated spaces within a new build
For a full new build in Dublin, most developers and self-builders choose wet underfloor heating installation as the primary system throughout the ground floor at a minimum, and electric systems in bathrooms above.
Planning Your Underfloor Heating System: Key Considerations
Getting underfloor heating right is not complicated – but there are a few critical decisions you need to make early in the build process.
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Floor Construction and Insulation
This is the single most important factor. Underfloor heating must sit above a proper layer of insulation board – typically polyisocyanurate (PIR) or expanded polystyrene (EPS) – to prevent heat loss downwards into the ground. Skimping on insulation here will leave you with a system that runs constantly, costs a fortune, and never quite heats the space properly.
For new builds in Ireland, current building regulations require a minimum insulation standard under your floor screed. Your structural engineer and heating contractor should agree on this specification before groundworks begin.
- Screed Depth and Pipe Layout
The underfloor heating pipes are typically embedded in a wet screed of around 65–75mm depth. The pipe spacing depends on the heat load of each room – a bathroom may need pipes every 100mm, while a well-insulated living room might only need them every 200mm.
Your underfloor heating installer will carry out a full heat loss calculation for each room. This determines exactly how many pipes you need and what flow temperatures are required – crucial for sizing your heat source correctly.
- Manifold Placement
The manifold is the central hub that connects all your underfloor heating circuits. It controls flow to each zone separately. In a multi-storey new build, you may need multiple manifolds – typically one per floor. Think carefully about where to position them: airing cupboards, utility rooms, or purpose-built manifold cabinets work well.
- Floor Finishes
Not all flooring works equally well with underfloor heating. Here is a quick guide:
- Porcelain or ceramic tiles – Excellent. Fast to heat up, retain warmth beautifully
- Natural stone – Excellent, similar to tiles
- Engineered timber – Good, provided it is rated for use with UFH (check the manufacturer’s spec)
- LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) – Good, check the product’s maximum temperature tolerance
- Solid timber – Generally not recommended; can warp and gap with heat cycling
- Carpet – Poor conductor; only suitable with a low tog rating and reduces efficiency significantly
Underfloor Heating and Heat Pumps: The Perfect Match
If you are building to modern standards, there is a very strong case for pairing your underfloor heating with an air source heat pump. Here is why this combination works so well:
Heat pumps operate most efficiently at low flow temperatures – typically 35°C to 45°C. Traditional radiator systems often require flow temperatures of 60°C–70°C to feel effective. Underfloor heating, however, works perfectly at exactly the low temperatures that heat pumps deliver most efficiently.
The result? Lower electricity bills, a smaller carbon footprint, and a home that qualifies for the highest BER ratings – which is increasingly important for resale value and mortgage eligibility.
Zoning and Controls
One of the great advantages of underfloor heating in a new build is the ability to create fully independent heating zones. You can set different temperatures for the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms independently – each with its own schedule.
Modern smart heating controls can be managed from your phone, integrated with your home automation system, or linked to weather compensation controls that automatically adjust flow temperatures based on outdoor conditions. This level of control was once reserved for high-end smart homes, but it is now standard in any well-specified new build.
Learn more about heating controls and how they can maximize the efficiency of your underfloor heating system.
How Underfloor Heating Affects Your BER and Planning?
New builds in Ireland must comply with Part L of the Building Regulations, which sets out energy performance requirements. An A-rated BER is now expected for most new residential builds, and underfloor heating paired with a heat pump and good insulation is one of the most reliable ways to achieve it.
From a planning and compliance perspective, your BER assessor will need full details of your heating system – flow temperatures, pipe spacing, heat source, controls, and insulation specification. Getting your underfloor heating contractor to provide this documentation early saves a lot of back-and-forth at the certification stage.
SEAI Grants in 2026: Can You Get Financial Support for Underfloor Heating?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from self-builders and developers in Dublin – and the answer is worth understanding properly before you finalise your heating specification.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) runs grant schemes to help homeowners and builders reduce the upfront cost of installing energy-efficient heating systems. While SEAI grants are not awarded for underfloor heating pipework on its own, the good news is that the system you connect it to – particularly an air source heat pump – can qualify for meaningful financial support.
What Grants Are Available?
Under the current SEAI Better Energy Homes and One Stop Shop schemes, eligible homeowners can receive grant support for:
- Heat pump installation – one of the highest grant values available
- Attic and wall insulation – which directly improves the efficiency of your underfloor heating
- Heating controls upgrades – thermostats, zone controls, and smart systems
- Solar PV and solar thermal – to offset the electricity consumed by your heat pump
When you combine an underfloor heating system with a heat pump and proper insulation, your overall project may be eligible for a package of grants that dramatically reduces the total installation cost.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for SEAI grant funding in 2026:
- The work must be carried out by a registered SEAI contractor
- The property must meet minimum energy efficiency requirements depending on the scheme
- Grant applications must be submitted before work begins – not after
- Self-builds may have different eligibility rules compared to existing homes, so it is worth checking directly
Why Does This Matters for New Builds?
For developers building multiple units, the cumulative grant savings across a scheme can be very substantial. For self-builders, even a single heat pump grant can offset a large portion of the mechanical heating installation cost – making the step up from a gas boiler to a renewable heating system far more financially attractive.
For full details on current grant amounts, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, visit: https://greenenergyhomes.ie/seai-grant-ireland-2026/
The team at Green Energy Homes can also walk you through the grant process and confirm which measures your new build qualifies for – call us on 016855575 to find out more.
Practical Timeline for Developers and Self-Builders
Here is a rough guide to when each stage of underfloor heating installation happens in a typical Dublin new build:
- Pre-groundworks – Agree insulation spec and manifold locations with your heating contractor
- After damp-proof membrane – Lay insulation boards before screed
- During groundworks – Lay UFH pipes on top of insulation, before screed is poured
- Screed pour – Pipes are pressure-tested, then screed is poured around them
- Drying time – New screed needs 4–8 weeks to dry fully before commissioning the system (accelerated drying programmes are available)
- First fix – Manifolds, pumps, and actuators installed
- Second fix – Thermostats, controls, and smart home integration
- Commissioning – System balanced and tested before handover
Cost of Underfloor Heating in a New Build
For a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached new build in Dublin, expect to budget roughly €3,000 to €6,000 for a wet underfloor heating system, including pipes, manifolds, actuators, and installation. This figure varies depending on floor area, number of zones, and specification of controls.
Remember: the cost per square metre is significantly lower when installed during a new build versus retrofitting into an existing home. Getting it done at the right stage of construction is always the more economical choice.
Visit Green Energy Homes in Swords
If you are based in North Dublin or the wider county, our Swords Showroom is a great starting point. You can speak directly with our heating specialists, see system components up close, and get straightforward answers tailored to your specific build.
Swords Showroom: Unit F2, Swords Enterprise Park, Drinan, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 WF72
Call us: 016855575
Our team works with developers and self-builders across Dublin, from large multi-unit schemes to single custom homes, providing full design, supply, and installation of underfloor heating systems that meet current regulations and are built to last.
Conclusion
Underfloor heating in a new build is one of those decisions that pays dividends for the entire life of the property. It delivers comfort that radiators simply cannot match – gentle, even warmth with no cold spots, no bulky units on walls, and the freedom to lay any furniture where you want. When paired with an air source heat pump and smart controls, it creates a heating system that is efficient, low-maintenance, and future-proof.
Whether you are breaking ground on a development of 20 homes or laying the foundations of your own family home in Dublin, now is the time to plan your underfloor heating correctly. And with potential SEAI grants still available in 2026, the investment has never been more accessible.
Get in touch with the team at Green Energy Homes today visit us at our Swords showroom – Unit F2, Swords Enterprise Park, Drinan, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 WF72 – to discuss your project.
FAQs
1. Can underfloor heating be installed in all rooms of a new build?
Yes, underfloor heating can be installed throughout a new build. Wet systems are most practical on ground floors in screed, while upper floors can use wet systems in screed or joisted systems, or electric mats in bathrooms.
2. Is underfloor heating suitable for use with an air source heat pump?
Absolutely. In fact, air source heat pumps and underfloor heating are considered the ideal pairing. Heat pumps produce water at low temperatures (35–45°C), which is exactly what UFH systems require for peak efficiency.
3. How long does underfloor heating take to heat a room?
A well-insulated new building with underfloor heating will typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach a set temperature from cold, depending on room size and insulation levels. However, most people leave it running on a low background temperature rather than switching it on and off.
4. Can I get an SEAI grant for underfloor heating installation in Ireland?
SEAI grants are primarily tied to heat sources like heat pumps rather than underfloor heating alone. However, if you install an air source heat pump connected to your UFH system, you may qualify for significant grant support. Check the SEAI grant page for current eligibility details.
5. What floor finishes work best with underfloor heating?
Tiles, natural stone, and engineered timber all perform very well. Carpet is generally not recommended as it acts as an insulator and reduces system efficiency significantly.
6. Does underfloor heating need maintenance?
Wet underfloor heating systems require very little maintenance. An annual check of the manifold, pump, and system pressure is usually sufficient. The pipework itself, once embedded in screed, should last the lifetime of the building.
7. How do I control underfloor heating in different rooms?
Through a zoned control system with individual thermostats per room or zone. Modern systems can be controlled via smartphone apps and integrated with smart home platforms for automated scheduling.
8. Is underfloor heating expensive to run?
When paired with a heat pump, underfloor heating is typically cheaper to run than a gas boiler with radiators, due to the low flow temperatures involved and the efficiency of modern heat pump technology.
9. Can underfloor heating be fitted on upper floors in a new build?
Yes. On upper floors with timber joists, specialist suspended floor UFH systems use aluminium spreader plates to distribute heat from pipes laid between or over the joists. Alternatively, a thin screed system on a cassette floor can be used.
10. How do I choose the right underfloor heating contractor in Dublin?
Look for a contractor with specific experience in new build underfloor heating, who carries out proper heat loss calculations, provides manifold schematics, and liaises with your BER assessor. The Green Energy Homes team ticks all these boxes – give us a call on 016855575 to discuss your project.