Heating Solutions
Underfloor Heating
Invisible, energy-efficient warmth for your entire home. Hydronic underfloor heating designed, supplied, and installed by King Cooling across the Waikato.
The Smart Way to Heat
Invisible Comfort
Hydronic underfloor heating is a water-based system that delivers gentle, even warmth throughout your home — without a single visible heater, radiator, or vent on your walls. The entire system is hidden beneath your floor, giving you complete freedom with your interior design.
Unlike heat pumps that blow warm air from a single point, underfloor heating warms the entire floor surface. Heat rises naturally, creating a comfortable, draft-free environment from the ground up. No cold spots by the door. No dry air irritating your throat. Just consistent, silent warmth in every corner of the room.
For Waikato homeowners who value comfort, aesthetics, and efficiency, hydronic underfloor heating is the premium choice — and King Cooling has the experience to design and install it right.
Warm water circulates
A heat pump or boiler heats water to around 35-45°C and pushes it through a network of pipes embedded in your floor.
Floor surface heats evenly
The warmth spreads across the entire floor area, turning your slab or timber floor into one large, gentle radiator.
Heat rises naturally
Warm air rises from the floor, heating the room from the ground up — the most natural and comfortable heating pattern.
The Technology
How Hydronic Heating Works
Warm water circulates through a network of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes embedded in your floor. The heat transfers through the floor surface and rises naturally, warming the room from the ground up. Because the system operates at lower temperatures than traditional radiators, it is significantly more efficient — especially when paired with a heat pump as the water heater.
Low Operating Temperature
Hydronic systems heat water to just 35-45°C, compared to 55-80°C for traditional radiators. Lower temperatures mean lower energy consumption and gentler, more consistent warmth.
Completely Silent
No fans, no air movement, no noise. Hydronic underfloor heating operates in complete silence — you will never hear it running. The only thing you will notice is how comfortable your home feels.
Years of Service
The PEX piping used in modern hydronic systems has a design life exceeding 50 years. Once installed, the in-floor component is essentially a lifetime investment with minimal maintenance.
Applications
Perfect For
New Builds
Design the system into your plans from day one. Working with your builder and architect, we integrate hydronic piping into your slab or floor structure before it is poured — the most cost-effective and seamless approach.
Renovations
Retrofit hydronic heating into existing concrete or timber floors. Modern low-profile systems mean we can often install underfloor heating without raising floor levels significantly.
Open-Plan Living
Large open-plan spaces are notoriously difficult to heat evenly. Underfloor heating delivers consistent warmth across the entire area — no cold pockets by the windows and no hot spots near the heater.
Multi-Zone Homes
Heat only the rooms you are using. Individual zone control means bedrooms stay warm at night while living areas power down — and vice versa during the day. Smart, efficient, and fully customisable.
Why Choose Hydronic
Benefits of Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is widely regarded as the most comfortable form of home heating available. Here is why Waikato homeowners are choosing hydronic systems for their new builds and renovations.
- Works with concrete slab, polished concrete, and timber floors
- Individual zone control for every room or area
- Energy efficient — significantly lower running costs than ducted heating
- Completely silent operation with zero drafts
- Invisible — no wall-mounted units, radiators, or vents
- Compatible with heat pump hot water systems for maximum efficiency
- Even heat distribution from floor to ceiling
- Safe for children and pets — no hot surfaces or exposed elements
Did You Know?
Underfloor heating is the primary heating method in much of Scandinavia, where winters regularly drop below -20°C. The technology has been refined over decades and is now one of the most proven and reliable heating systems in the world.
In New Zealand, it is particularly well-suited to our concrete slab construction. The thermal mass of the slab stores heat and releases it gradually, meaning your home stays warm for hours after the system switches off — a natural buffer that saves energy.
When paired with a heat pump hot water system, hydronic underfloor heating becomes one of the most energy-efficient heating solutions available in the residential market.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Hydronic underfloor heating typically costs more to install than a standard heat pump, but running costs are often lower — especially in well-insulated homes. Because the system heats at a lower temperature and distributes warmth evenly, it avoids the energy spikes that forced-air systems experience. Over a 10- to 15-year period, many homeowners find the total cost of ownership is comparable or even lower than running multiple heat pumps.
Yes. While it is easiest to install during a new build, we regularly retrofit hydronic systems into existing homes during renovations. For concrete floors, we can overlay slim-line panels. For timber floors, we install aluminium diffuser plates between the joists from below. The best time to add underfloor heating is when you are already renovating a room or replacing flooring.
The piping used in modern hydronic systems (cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX) has a design life of 50 years or more. The heat source — typically a heat pump or boiler — will need servicing and eventual replacement after 15 to 20 years, but the in-floor pipework itself is essentially a lifetime installation. We back our work with a full installation warranty for your peace of mind.
Absolutely. Every zone has its own thermostat and manifold valve, so you can set different temperatures for different areas of your home. Most systems we install include programmable or smart thermostats, allowing you to schedule heating times and adjust zones from your phone. This means you only heat the spaces you are actually using — reducing waste and keeping costs down.
Ready for invisible warmth?
Whether you are planning a new build or renovating an existing home, we will design an underfloor heating system tailored to your space and your budget. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.