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Building your own home means making countless technical decisions — and few are as important, or as confusing, as how to heat it. In a recent Self Build Hour, Louise Randall, a technical specialist from Zehnder, guided self-builders through the key options, outlining the trade-offs between different heat sources, distribution methods, controls and ventilation. This article distils those insights into practical takeaways: what you need to know to choose a heating strategy that fits your budget, delivers comfort, and supports long-term sustainability goals..
A quick word about Zehnder: founded more than a century ago, Zehnder is a Swiss-German company with a long heritage in radiators and indoor climate solutions and a global presence. Their experience ranges from classic radiators and towel warmers to modern ventilation (MVHR) and low-temperature heat-transfer products — which makes their Self Build Hour advice especially relevant for high-performance self-builds.
You can watch the full session here:
In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:
- why a fabric-first approach (insulation + airtightness) must come before big heating decisions — and why good ventilation must follow insulation;
- the pros and cons of the main heat sources (direct electric, heat pumps, gas boilers, solar thermal);
- how to distribute heat (radiators vs underfloor, plus low-temperature and fan-assisted radiator options);
- advanced solutions worth knowing about (trench heating, radiant ceilings, MVHR-integrated “comfort post” units);
- a practical decision checklist, commissioning and aftercare tips, and a few real-world scenarios to help you apply the guidance to your build.
THE HEATING CHALLENGE FOR SELF-BUILDERS
Heating is the single biggest energy demand in most UK homes - it can account for around two-thirds of household energy use. That makes it one of the most important design decisions in any self-build project.
Lifestyles are changing too. With more people working from home, houses are being heated for longer periods each day. That has a big impact on running costs, energy use and comfort.
But here’s the tricky part: thermal comfort is subjective. One person’s perfect cosy temperature is another’s stuffy heat. There’s no universal “right” solution - the system has to be matched to the property, the people living in it and the way they use the space.
Before you think about boilers, heat pumps or radiators, there’s a more fundamental step: insulation. A poorly insulated house will always lose heat quickly, no matter how advanced the heating system. But sealing a home tightly against heat loss also changes how it breathes. That’s why ventilation is just as important - without it, you risk condensation, damp and unhealthy indoor air.
Getting insulation and ventilation right first is the foundation for an efficient, comfortable heating strategy in any self-build.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEATING OPTIONS
Once insulation and ventilation are in place, the next step is choosing how to heat your home. This is where self-builders face a wide range of possibilities, each with its own strengths and drawbacks.
Direct electric heating is simple to install and 100% efficient at the point of use, but it can become costly unless paired with solar panels and battery storage. Electric radiators are easy to regulate, but their scalability for larger spaces is limited.
Heat pumps, especially air source or ground source systems, are gaining popularity. They work by extracting energy from the air, ground or water, and can deliver two to four times more heat energy than the electricity they consume. They’re efficient and future-proof, though they do require careful design and installation, as well as space for equipment.
Gas boilers remain common. They are fast, reliable and less expensive to install, but they rely on fossil fuels and may not be a long-term solution as regulations tighten.
Solar thermal systems can provide renewable heating and hot water, but they depend on roof space, orientation and local planning permissions. Their performance is also closely tied to seasonal sunlight, which means they may not always align with demand.
Each option has its place. The right choice depends on the property, your budget, your sustainability goals and how you plan to live in your home.
HEAT LOSS CALCULATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Once you’ve decided on a heating source, the next step is to work out how that heat will be delivered. This is where a heat loss calculation comes in. It determines how much heating is required in each room, based on factors such as floor area, building orientation, insulation levels and solar gain. Getting this right ensures your system is designed to match the specific needs of your home.
When it comes to distributing heat, most self-builders consider two main options: radiators and underfloor heating. Both can be effective, but they work in different ways and suit different priorities.
Radiators provide a quick response. They heat up fast, cool down quickly and allow you to adjust room temperatures with precision. They’re also easier to retrofit and can be designed as a feature within a room.
Underfloor heating is slower to respond but holds heat for longer. It frees up wall space, works well with heat pumps and can improve your EPC rating. However, in very efficient homes it carries the risk of overheating and is less reactive to sudden changes in temperature.
There are also variations within each system. Electric underfloor heating may suit smaller spaces like bathrooms, while wet systems are better for whole-house heating. Radiators come in different materials and designs, from traditional steel to lightweight aluminium or decorative options that maximise surface area.
The right distribution system depends on how you want to live in the space — quick adjustments and control with radiators, or steady background warmth with underfloor heating.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE HEATING SOLUTIONS
For many self-builders, standard radiators or underfloor heating will do the job. But if you’re aiming for higher efficiency, better aesthetics, or need to solve specific design challenges, there are a range of advanced options worth considering.
Low-temperature and fan-assisted radiators
These radiators are designed to work at lower water temperatures, making them ideal partners for heat pumps. They look much like conventional models but deliver more output at cooler flow rates, boosting efficiency and safety. Fan-assisted versions go further by using small fans to circulate air, squeezing more performance from a compact unit. Some can even offer limited cooling when paired with a reversible heat pump.
Trench heating and cooling
Trench units are set into the floor, usually in front of large glazed areas, with only a grille visible. They counteract cold downdraughts in winter and solar gain in summer, keeping spaces comfortable without spoiling views. When paired with the right system, they can also provide active cooling — though this requires careful planning for power, drainage and controls.
Radiant ceilings
These panels circulate hot or chilled water overhead, providing comfort by radiation rather than warm air. They’re quiet, discreet and easier to service than underfloor heating, making them popular in continental Europe. The main consideration is careful design to avoid condensation when cooling, and planning ceiling layouts around panel placement.
MVHR integration
By combining heating or cooling with mechanical ventilation, these compact exchangers use the MVHR fan to distribute conditioned air throughout the home. They’re neat and space-saving, with no need for separate radiators or underfloor circuits. The trade-off is less room-by-room control, and they work best when factored into the design from the start.
Each of these solutions has strengths and caveats, but what unites them is the ability to balance comfort, efficiency and aesthetics in a modern self-build. The key is to decide early in the design process, so the necessary space, services and controls can be integrated seamlessly into the build.
HOW TO DECIDE: KEY FACTORS FOR SELF-BUILDERS
With so many options available, how do you decide what’s right for your project? The answer lies in matching the system to your home, your lifestyle and your long-term goals.
Property type and thermal efficiency
A highly insulated, airtight home needs a very different approach to heating than a draughty renovation. The more efficient the building fabric, the smaller and more flexible the system can be.
Budget
Think about both upfront installation costs and long-term running costs. For example, a gas boiler may be cheaper to install than a heat pump, but a heat pump could pay back over time through lower bills.
Lifestyle
Do you work from home, meaning the heating will run for longer each day? Do you prefer a clean, minimalist look with no visible radiators, or do you want feature radiators as part of the design? Your day-to-day living patterns should shape the choice.
Sustainability goals
If reducing carbon emissions is a key driver, options like heat pumps, solar thermal or integrated ventilation-based systems may come to the front. If budget is tighter, a hybrid approach may still allow for progress towards lower-carbon living.
Professional input
Perhaps the most important factor is a proper heat loss calculation and tailored design advice. No two self-builds are the same, and choosing without expert input risks ending up with an underperforming or oversized system. A heating strategy designed specifically for your home will pay back in comfort, efficiency and peace of mind.
There isn’t a single “best” heating solution for self-builders. The right choice comes from balancing comfort, efficiency, budget and long-term sustainability.
What matters most is a joined-up approach. Insulation and ventilation form the foundation - only once these are in place does it make sense to consider the right heating system. Taken together, these elements create homes that are not only comfortable and cost-effective to run, but also healthier for the people living in them.
By making informed choices and seeking tailored advice, self-builders can design homes that feel great to live in today while being ready for the low-carbon future ahead.
A special thanks to Louise Randall from Zehnder for sharing her expertise during the Self Build Hour. If you’d like to learn more about the heating and ventilation solutions Zehnder can offer, visit their website for further information and resources.
