Sam's Underfloor Heating Strategy

Author: Co-Dunkall Ltd || Date: 2nd October 2026

The only room in our house where I notice a morning chill is our kitchen with its patio doors; there is nothing like getting up to a cosy floor underfoot and putting the kettle on.

For me personally (and in our house over the years we have had lots of heated debates about room stats – no pun intended!), at this time of year I like to take a slightly different approach when thinking about turning our heating back on.

Rather than simply using the usual on/off method, I look at things on a room-by-room basis, depending on how each room works for us as a family.

Take our kitchen. Instead of programming the thermostat to turn “off” during the day, I have programmed it to drop to a lower baseline.

This keeps the floor slab slightly primed, so it responds quickly in the morning, while allowing the heating to cut out automatically when the afternoon sun warms the house.

It can be a little trial and error, but it’s worth experimenting with and may help save energy.

Here’s my strategy for the unpredictable Autumn weather:

1. MORNING COMFORT
04:00–07:00
20°C

Pre-heat early: I start the system 2–3 hours before we wake up, so the thermal mass is warm by 7:00am. I change this slightly at weekends in the hope of a lie-in!

2. DAYTIME SETBACK
07:00–17:00
16°C

Let the sun do the work: Dropping the target temperature prevents the system from running unnecessarily during warm autumn afternoons.

3. EVENING COMFORT
17:00–21:00
21°C

A gentle evening top-up: Program it to start an hour or two before sunset as the autumn air cools down rapidly. We like it a little warmer in the evenings when we’re not rushing around getting out of the house.

4. OVERNIGHT SETBACK
21:00–04:00
16°C

Prevent deep cooling: Keeping a baseline means the slab doesn’t cool down too much or require a large amount of energy to reheat.

Every home is different, so it’s about finding what works for your home, your family and your heating system.

What does your heating strategy look like this Autumn?

Read what our customers had to say

    
 
 
         
   S Pearson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service, professional and reliable each time we use them.
  
 
        
   A Thompson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The team did a professional and courteous job for over 100m2 with insulation. Helpful advice, efficient measures, laying out was done with attention to detail. Pouring was prompt and careful. The skip liner was much appreciated. The levels were perfect for our doors. Helpful advice and ensured we’re satisfied with the results. Thank you and well done. 👍🏻
  
 
        
   M Boby 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Co-Dunkall ltd recently laid a floor screed for a new gymnasium floor.Very pleased with the service they provided throughout the process.Hard working team that kept me informed of deliveries to site and left the site spotless .Client super impressed with the floor finish .
  
 
        
   O V 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did screed with them twice, we had our house done in 2 phases and in the 1st phase they supplied us with specific stats, on the 2nd phase they supplied us with different stats model and a control box which allows to connect to them remotely but, then I had an issue with the phase 1 stats won't connect to the system as they don't support that functionality. I rang their customer support and explained the issue, they offered to swap the phase 1 stats with new ones so, all stats will be from the same model and all will connect to the control box.
One more word about their expertise, the 2 phases were done a part so the 1st phase screed was higher than the existing old bit, when they came to do the old bit on the 2nd phase, I asked if they can do the screed so that both bits will be same height, they did it perfectly, both phases met up level and the wood floor on top is at the same height, I must say I was sceptic but, these guys are awesome, they are experts in what they do. that made me so happy!
That is a company who cares about their business and about their customers.
I will definitely recommend and will definitely do business with them again.
Thanks you Co-Dunkell
  
 
        
   P W 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had our screed pumped in and laid by the team at Co-Dunkall today at our self-build, the three man team onsite and those in the office were all professional and friendly at all stages from quotation, survey and the final delivery and instation. Everyone has done what they said they would do and within the timescale given. If you need pumped floor screed I can recomend this company 100%
  
 
        
   H Campbell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good service. Nicky and Adrian super helpful to see the job through! 5 star. Screed is silky smooth
  
 
        
   M Brooks 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Complete bungalow floor screeded by these guys.
Bob who surveyed the project and supervised the screed being laid is a credit to the company. No more than 1mm difference in levels throughout !
  
 
        
   S smith 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had Co-dunkall provide a cemfloor screed for an outbuilding which needed the floor raising. Thoroughly professional service 3 survey calls and inspections prior to the job. Nikki and the office team all highly knowledgable on so many aspects and on the day they even provided a 6 wheel mini mix to accommodate the property complexities. Good follow up and so pleased for a  very clean and tidy washout considering how messy the job can be. You would not know they had been on site. End result is exactly what we needed
  
 
        
   L Bailey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent job and Excellent service.
Had 100% confidence in them.
Can't fault them.
They are very professional and they have a lovely approach to customer service.

We have used Co Dunkall on any occasions and will do so in the future.

Would highly recommend.

Thank you very much from the Bailey's.
  
 
  
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 53 reviews

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