Warm Grid FAQs

Welcome to the Warm Grid frequently asked questions page.

Here you’ll find helpful information about our underfloor heating products, controls, pipework, manifolds, floor systems, delivery and product selection.

For project-specific support, contact our team at sales@warmgrid.co.uk.

General Questions

What is Warm Grid?

Warm Grid is a UK supplier of underfloor heating products, heating controls and climate solutions.

Our range includes underfloor heating manifolds, pumps, mixing units, pipework, pre-insulated pipe, thermostats, wiring centres, floor systems, accessories and replacement parts.

Our aim is to make it easier to find the products needed to build, control and maintain efficient heating systems.

Who are Warm Grid products suitable for?

Our products can support a range of customers and applications, including:

• Professional heating installers
• Plumbing and building contractors
• Property developers
• Self-build projects
• Domestic renovations
• Commercial heating projects
• Customers replacing individual heating components

Some products require professional design or installation. Always check the product specification and system requirements before ordering.

Do you supply complete underfloor heating systems?

Warm Grid supplies products for complete underfloor heating installations, including manifolds, pipework, pumps, mixing units, controls, floor systems and accessories.

The exact products required will depend on the size of the project, floor construction, heat source, number of zones and intended operating temperatures.

Contact us with your project information and we’ll help you identify suitable products.

Can you help me choose the right products?

Yes. Our team can help with product selection based on the information you provide.

To help us give useful guidance, please include:

• Property or project type
• Approximate heated floor area
• Floor construction
• Heat source
• Number of rooms or heating zones
• Existing products, where applicable
• Any relevant drawings, photographs or specifications

Email your requirements to sales@warmgrid.co.uk.

Underfloor Heating Questions

How does water-based underfloor heating work?

Water-based underfloor heating circulates warm water through pipework installed beneath the finished floor.

The heat rises gently across the floor surface, helping create a more even room temperature than heating systems that rely only on individual wall-mounted radiators.

A typical system may include pipework, a manifold, pump or mixing controls, thermostats and actuators.

What products are needed for an underfloor heating installation?

The exact components depend on the system design, but a typical installation may include:

• Underfloor heating pipe
• A manifold
• Pipe connectors
• A pump or mixing unit
• Thermostats and controls
• Wiring centres
• Manifold actuators
• Floor system boards or insulation
• Pipe clips, conduit and installation accessories

The heat source and floor construction will affect which products are suitable.

Is underfloor heating suitable for renovations?

Yes, underfloor heating can be suitable for renovation projects.

Low-profile and dry-build floor systems can help reduce the additional floor height required, although suitability will depend on the existing construction, available build-up and finished floor covering.

Is underfloor heating suitable for new-build properties?

Yes. Underfloor heating is commonly used in new-build properties because the pipework, insulation, floor construction and heating zones can be planned as part of the overall building design.

Can underfloor heating be used upstairs?

Yes. Underfloor heating can be installed on upper floors using a suitable floor system.

Dry-build panels, routed boards and other low-profile systems may be used where a traditional screeded installation is not suitable.

Can underfloor heating be used with a heat pump?

Many underfloor heating systems are well suited to heat pumps because they can operate using lower water temperatures than traditional radiator systems.

However, the system must be designed correctly. Pipe spacing, heat-loss calculations, flow rates, controls and water temperatures all need to be considered.

Can underfloor heating be used with a boiler?

Yes. Water-based underfloor heating can be used with compatible boiler systems.

Depending on the system design, a mixing unit may be required to control the water temperature supplied to the underfloor heating circuits.

Manifolds

What does an underfloor heating manifold do?

An underfloor heating manifold distributes heated water between the individual pipe circuits in the system.

It also allows installers to monitor, balance and control the flow through each heating zone.

How many ports does my manifold need?

The number of ports usually corresponds to the number of underfloor heating pipe circuits.

A single room may require more than one circuit, particularly where the floor area is large or the circuit length needs to be limited.

The required manifold size should be confirmed as part of the system design.

What is a manifold flow meter?

A flow meter displays the rate of water flowing through an individual manifold circuit.

It helps installers balance the system so each circuit receives the required flow.

What does a manifold actuator do?

A manifold actuator opens or closes an individual heating circuit when instructed by the room thermostat and wiring centre.

This allows separate rooms or zones to be controlled independently.

Do you supply manifold spares?

Yes. Warm Grid supplies a range of manifold spares and accessories, including flow meters, actuators, air vents, brackets, connectors and extender packs.

Check the product dimensions and compatibility before ordering replacement parts.

Pumps and Mixing Units

What does an underfloor heating pump do?

The pump circulates water through the underfloor heating pipe circuits.

The correct pump selection depends on factors including system size, required flow rate, pressure loss and connection dimensions.

What does a mixing unit do?

A mixing unit blends hot water from the heat source with cooler return water from the underfloor heating system.

This helps regulate the temperature entering the floor circuits.

Do all underfloor heating systems need a mixing unit?

Not always.

Whether a mixing unit is required depends on the heat source, water temperature and overall system design.

Some low-temperature heat pump systems may be designed without a traditional mixing arrangement, while boiler systems often require temperature control before water enters the floor circuits.

What is a non-mixing pump set?

A non-mixing pump set circulates water without blending the flow and return temperatures.

It may be suitable where the heat source already provides water at the required underfloor heating temperature.

Heating Controls and Thermostats

Which thermostat do I need?

Thermostat selection depends on:

• Whether the system is water-based or electric
• Operating voltage
• Wiring arrangement
• Number of heating zones
• Whether programmable control is required
• Whether smart Wi-Fi control is preferred

Check the product specification carefully or contact us with details of your system.

What is the difference between a programmable and smart thermostat?

A programmable thermostat allows heating schedules to be set directly on the thermostat.

A smart thermostat may also provide app-based or remote control through a compatible Wi-Fi connection, gateway or smart-home platform.

Can each room have its own thermostat?

Yes. Zoned underfloor heating systems can use a separate thermostat for each room or area.

Each thermostat communicates with the relevant actuator through the wiring centre, allowing individual zones to call for heat independently.

What does a wiring centre do?

A wiring centre provides a central connection point for thermostats, actuators, pumps and the heat source.

It helps coordinate the operation of a multi-zone heating system.

What is a gateway hub?

A gateway hub connects compatible smart heating products to an app or smart-home platform.

Compatibility depends on the thermostat, gateway and software platform being used.

Are the thermostats compatible with every underfloor heating system?

No. Compatibility varies by product.

Always check the voltage, system type, wiring arrangement and control requirements before purchasing.

Pipework

What type of underfloor heating pipe does Warm Grid supply?

Warm Grid supplies multilayer PE-RT/AL/PE-RT pipe in a range of sizes and coil lengths.

Different pipe products may be suitable for underfloor heating circuits, heating distribution and primary pipework.

What does PE-RT/AL/PE-RT mean?

PE-RT/AL/PE-RT pipe is a multilayer pipe construction.

It typically combines inner and outer PE-RT layers with an aluminium layer in the middle. This can provide flexibility, shape stability and strength for heating applications.

What size pipe do I need?

The correct pipe size depends on the application, required flow rate, circuit length and system design.

Underfloor heating circuits commonly use smaller pipe sizes than primary distribution pipework, but the correct size should be confirmed for each project.

Can underfloor heating pipe be repaired?

Compatible pipe repair kits can be used in certain circumstances.

Repairs should be completed carefully using suitable fittings, and the repaired system should be tested before the floor is completed or returned to service.

What is pipe conduit used for?

Conduit helps protect pipework where it passes through walls, floors, expansion joints or other areas where movement or abrasion may occur.

What are pipe bend supports used for?

Pipe bend supports help form controlled bends and protect the pipe from kinking where it changes direction.

Pre-Insulated Pipe

What is pre-insulated pipe?

Pre-insulated pipe combines the carrier pipe with an insulation layer applied around it.

This helps reduce heat loss as heated water travels through the building or between system components.

Where is pre-insulated pipe used?

Pre-insulated pipe may be used for:

• Heating distribution
• Flow and return pipework
• Connections between heat sources and manifolds
• Plant room pipework
• Heat pump installations
• Routes where separate on-site insulation would otherwise be required

Why are some pre-insulated pipes different colours?

Different outer colours can help identify separate pipe routes, such as heating flow and return.

Always confirm pipe identification against the installation drawings rather than relying on colour alone.

Does pre-insulated pipe remove all heat loss?

No. Insulation reduces heat loss but does not eliminate it completely.

Performance depends on the insulation thickness, material, water temperature, pipe route and surrounding conditions.

Floor Systems

What is a low-profile underfloor heating system?

A low-profile system is designed to reduce the additional floor height created by the underfloor heating installation.

It may use routed insulation panels, tile backer boards or dry-build panels instead of a deeper traditional screed.

What are XPS tile backer boards?

XPS tile backer boards are lightweight insulated panels that can form part of a low-profile underfloor heating floor construction.

Some versions include pre-routed channels for the pipework.

What is a transition board?

A transition board helps route pipework as it enters, exits or changes direction within the main floor system.

Which floor coverings can be used with underfloor heating?

Many floor coverings can be used with a properly designed underfloor heating system, including:

• Tiles
• Engineered timber
• Laminate
• Vinyl
• Suitable carpet and underlay
• Stone

The floor covering manufacturer should confirm suitability and maximum operating temperature.

Can solid wood flooring be used with underfloor heating?

Some solid wood products may not be suitable because natural timber can expand and contract with changes in temperature and moisture.

Always follow the flooring manufacturer’s guidance.

Accessories and Replacement Parts

What installation accessories do you supply?

Our range includes products such as:

• Pipe clips
• Pipe bend supports
• Conduit
• Pipe labels
• Cable clips
• Board washers and screws
• Repair kits
• Manifold tools
• Connectors
• Replacement manifold components

How do I identify the correct replacement part?

Where possible, provide:

• The original product code
• Manufacturer name
• Product dimensions
• Connection size
• Voltage
• Clear photographs
• Details of the existing system

This reduces the risk of ordering an incompatible component.

Can I replace only one part of my system?

Often, yes.

Many components such as actuators, flow meters, thermostats, pumps and connectors can be replaced individually, provided the new part is compatible with the existing system.

Ordering and Delivery

Do your prices include VAT?

Product prices shown on the Warm Grid website include VAT where applicable.

Any delivery charge will be shown before checkout is completed.

What delivery options do you offer?

Warm Grid offers:

• Standard delivery: usually 3–5 business days
• Express delivery: usually 1–2 business days

Delivery times are estimates and depend on processing, stock availability and the delivery location.

Are delivery times guaranteed?

No. Delivery times are estimates and may be affected by stock availability, courier delays or circumstances outside our control.

Do not book installers or schedule work solely around an estimated delivery date.

How much is delivery?

Delivery charges are calculated according to the delivery service and order requirements.

The applicable charge will be displayed during checkout.

Can I track my order?

Where tracking is available, the details will be sent after the order has been dispatched.

You may also be able to check your order status through the Warm Grid chat service or by contacting the team.

What happens if an item is out of stock?

If a product is unavailable, we may contact you with an estimated lead time or available alternatives.

Product availability can change, particularly for specialist or project-specific items.

Returns and Order Issues

Can I return an item?

Returns are subject to the Warm Grid returns policy and the condition of the product.

Items should not be installed, altered or damaged if you intend to return them.

Some special-order or made-to-order items may not be returnable.

What should I do if my order arrives damaged?

Contact us as soon as possible and provide:

• Your order number
• Photographs of the packaging
• Photographs of the damaged item
• Details of the affected product and quantity

Keep the original packaging until the issue has been reviewed.

What should I do if I receive the wrong item?

Contact sales@warmgrid.co.uk with your order number and details of the item received.

Photographs of the product label and packaging will help us investigate quickly.

Can I cancel my order?

Contact us as soon as possible.

Orders that have already been processed or dispatched may not be cancellable, although you may still have return rights depending on the product and circumstances.

Installation and Technical Support

Do Warm Grid products need to be professionally installed?

Many heating products should be installed by a suitably qualified and competent professional.

Electrical controls must be installed in accordance with the relevant electrical requirements.

Incorrect design or installation can affect performance, safety and product warranties.

Can Warm Grid design my heating system?

Warm Grid can assist with product selection, but the level of design support available may depend on the project information provided.

Formal heating design may require room-by-room heat-loss calculations, pipe layouts, flow-rate calculations and hydraulic design.

What information should I send for technical help?

Please include:

• Product code or web link
• Existing equipment details
• Heat source
• Floor area
• Number of zones
• Pipe size
• Connection dimensions
• Voltage, where relevant
• Photographs or drawings
• A clear explanation of the issue or question

Can you confirm compatibility from a photograph?

Photographs are helpful, but they may not always provide enough information to confirm compatibility.

Product codes, dimensions and technical specifications are usually also required.

Where can I find product datasheets?

Where available, datasheets can be found on the relevant product page.

If a datasheet is not shown, contact sales@warmgrid.co.uk and include the product code.

Need More Help?

Have a project or installation to discuss?

Contact the Warm Grid team and tell us what you’re working on.

Email: sales@warmgrid.co.uk
Website: www.warmgrid.co.uk

Warm Grid. Where comfort meets control.