Should a heating source be installed upstairs?
In newly constructed properties, whether a heating source should be installed upstairs is often questioned. Given the advancements in insulating standards within the house-building industry, the decision regarding this matter should be carefully evaluated. With many houses being built to nearly passive standards and having to adhere to air-tightness regulations, it’s an important consideration.
Is MVHR the answer?
There is a common misconception that MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) systems can be used to transfer heat from downstairs to upstairs or around the home. However, these systems actually capture heat from the air leaving wet rooms and kitchen areas and transfer it to the fresh air coming in from outside. While they are efficient, there is always some heat loss, typically around 10-15%. This means that the temperature of the air being supplied back into the property is lower than the air being extracted, resulting in a small heat loss. Additionally, MVHR systems operate at low airflow rates, which are suitable for removing moisture from wet rooms and providing fresh air for occupants’ comfort but would not be sufficient to heat a large space.
Will the heat from downstairs naturally heat upstairs?
Heat can indeed rise from the heated spaces below, but this is not an ideal solution for providing heat upstairs. You are heating downstairs more to compensate for the heat convection up through the building. This assumes that you have the right conditions for natural convection and, at the very least, would have to open the room doors. In some cases, downstairs ceilings are insulated for noise, so there will be very little heat transfer from ceilings/floors. The only way for heat to transfer is via the staircase, which is unlikely sufficient in winter. Many households find that this is not an effective method for heating bedrooms, etc.

Running costs
When calculating heat losses for a building, it’s essential to consider the entire thermal envelope. For instance, if a building requires 6kW to maintain a temperature of 21C when the outside temperature is -4C, each room contributes to that 6kW. For example, if the three bedrooms upstairs each require 350w, a 350w emitter is needed in each room to maintain a comfortable temperature, regardless of the heat source. Essentially, there are no cost savings in running by installing fewer heat sources. This means the installed heat sources work harder, and the total consumption remains unchanged.
Comfortable Zones
Adjusting the thermostat to increase the temperature on the lower level of the house to heat up the upper level is not an efficient approach. Instead, having a separate heat source in the specific areas you want to warm up upstairs is more practical. Effective insulation alone is insufficient to create a cosy atmosphere in a room; an additional heat source is necessary. Whether generated by the human body, electrical devices, or a radiator, warmth must originate from a specific source to create a comfortable, warm ambiance when entering a room.
Conclusion
The majority of homeowners who decide against installing heating systems upstairs often find themselves regretting their choice. In hindsight, many end up opting for electric panel radiators, which provide a 1:1 efficiency ratio, as opposed to the 3:1 efficiency ratio offered by a heat pump.
We strongly advise our customers to consider installing emitters supplied by the heat pump. This is a worthwhile investment compared to the overall build cost and the expense of retrofitting a secondary heat source. Plus, you can always keep them switched off if needed. At the very least, we recommend running heating distribution pipes upstairs and leaving the option to fit radiators supplied by the heat pump at a later date open.