Underfloor heating is often praised for its sleek design, even heat distribution, and energy efficiency. But while many homeowners in Malta enjoy the comfort it brings during cooler months, few know exactly how to turn off underfloor heating properly.
It might seem as simple as flipping a switch—but depending on your system type (electric or water-based), how it’s installed, and what controls you’re using, shutting it off incorrectly can lead to high energy bills, system damage, or unnecessary wear and tear.
In this guide, we’ll not only walk you through how to turn off underfloor heating, but we’ll also explain when you should—and when you shouldn’t. We’ll help you protect your investment while maximizing efficiency all year round.
1. How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating: The Quick Answer| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Let’s get straight to it.
🔌 For Electric Underfloor Heating:
Locate the thermostat that controls the electric mat or wire system.
Turn off the heating mode using the thermostat’s OFF or STANDBY function.
If needed, switch off the circuit breaker labeled for the heating zone.
In smart systems, you can also turn it off via the mobile app.
âś… Do not disconnect power to the entire unit unless you’re doing maintenance or repairs.
đź’§ For Water-Based (Hydronic) Underfloor Heating:
Turn off the thermostat or zone controller—this stops the flow of hot water.
The pump and mixing valve will stop operating once there’s no demand.
If the heating is connected to a boiler, set the boiler to summer mode or OFF.
For systems with smart zoning, use the app or control panel to deactivate specific areas.
⚠️ Avoid closing the manifold valves manually unless you’re trained—this can affect system pressure and performance.
Need help locating your system controls? Contact our team and we’ll walk you through your setup or schedule a visit.
2. When Should You Turn Off Underfloor Heating in Malta?| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
The Maltese climate makes underfloor heating a seasonal comfort rather than a year-round necessity. But deciding when to turn it off is just as important as knowing how to turn off underfloor heating.
âś… You SHOULD turn it off when:
Average outdoor temperatures rise above 20°C consistently.
You’re going away for more than a week (especially in warmer months).
Your home is already well insulated and gets enough solar warmth.
You’re doing floor maintenance or replacing finishes.
❌ You should NOT turn it off when:
The floor is still damp or recently cleaned, especially in winter.
You’re in a high-humidity environment where mould can form.
The temperature is fluctuating heavily day-to-day.
The home is occupied but the weather is still cool in the evenings.
A better option in shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) is to lower the thermostat to a standby setting (around 16–18°C) to prevent floor chill without using much energy.
💡 Bonus Tip: If your system has a “frost protection” mode, you can activate it to keep pipes and components safe during cool nights without running full heating cycles.
3. Turning Off Underfloor Heating vs. Putting It in Eco Mode| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Knowing how to turn off underfloor heating is useful, but turning it off completely isn’t always the most energy-efficient choice.
Here’s why:
đź”´ When You Turn It Off Completely:
The system goes cold.
Floor surfaces may chill overnight.
Restarting it from zero takes longer and uses more energy.
🟢 When You Use Eco or Setback Mode:
The system maintains a low, energy-saving temperature.
Floors never get cold enough to cause discomfort or condensation.
Quick recovery time if you want warmth again.
Ideal Eco Settings:
Living rooms: 17–18°C
Bathrooms: 19°C
Unused guest rooms: 16°C
Most smart thermostats have a “holiday mode” or “eco mode” that keeps temperatures low while preventing the floor from fully cooling down.
Not sure how to access these features? Get in touch with us here and we’ll help you reprogram your thermostat or upgrade to a smarter one.
4. How Not Turning It Off Can Cost You (Especially in Spring)| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
As Malta’s winter fades and sunny days return, many homeowners forget to turn off or adjust their heating system. This results in unnecessary energy use—especially if the thermostat is still triggering warm-up cycles in the early mornings or evenings.
Here’s how much that could cost:
Electric system (5m²):
~400W per hour x 4 hours/day x €0.25 = €1/day or €30/monthWater-based system in a 40m² area:
Pump and boiler use = ~€40–€60/month if left on unnecessarily
Over the course of March to May, that’s up to €90–€150 wasted, just from forgetting to turn the system off or down.
Want to avoid this mistake every year? Let our team at Kibitec install smart heating schedules that auto-adjust based on the season. Book a consultation here
5. How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating Remotely (Smart Systems)| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Modern systems make it incredibly easy to control your heating—even if you’re away from your home in Malta.
If you have a smart thermostat (like Heatmiser, Tado, Nest, or ThermoSphere), here’s how to turn off underfloor heating remotely:
Open the thermostat’s app on your phone or tablet.
Select the zone or room you want to control.
Switch the mode to OFF, AWAY, or ECO.
If needed, create a custom “holiday” schedule with lower temps.
You can also set up automated triggers like:
Turning off the system when you leave the house (geofencing)
Adjusting the temperature based on weather reports
Creating seasonal profiles (winter vs. spring)
📱 Need help configuring your remote controls? We can set this up during your installation or visit. Request a setup session here
Turning Off Underfloor Heating the Smart Way – What Else You Need to Know| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Now that we’ve explored the practical steps of how to turn off underfloor heating, it’s time to look deeper. In this second half, we’ll explain how to shut down your system for longer periods, avoid common mistakes, and how to re-activate the system without causing energy waste—or damage.
Let’s finish strong.
6. How to Safely Shut Down Underfloor Heating for the Summer| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Malta’s summers are warm and sunny—there’s no need to run your underfloor heating past April in most homes. But it’s not enough to just flick the switch. Here’s how to safely shut your system down:
đź’§ For Water-Based Systems:
Turn thermostats to OFF or summer mode.
Switch the boiler to hot water only (not heating).
If your system has a manifold pump, set it to OFF or AUTO so it doesn’t run needlessly.
Leave manifold valves open (unless instructed otherwise).
💡 Pro Tip: Consider adding antifreeze fluid in hydronic systems if they’re installed in areas prone to sudden cooling—even in spring nights.
🔌 For Electric Systems:
Turn off each zone thermostat manually or via the app.
Use the master control panel to deactivate scheduled timers.
If needed, switch off the breaker dedicated to underfloor heating (but only if not linked to other systems).
✅ Optional: Leave the system in standby or eco mode at 16–18°C to avoid floor chills.
Still unsure? Schedule a seasonal shutdown check with our team. Contact us here and we’ll make sure everything is off—and protected.
7. What to Do Before Turning Underfloor Heating Back On| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Come autumn, many homeowners rush to reactivate their system—but this can cause problems if the heating hasn’t been maintained.
Here’s what to check first:
âś… System Checklist Before Reboot:
Ensure your floor is dry and clean (especially after summer mopping or humidity).
Clean any dust or debris near manifolds, thermostats, or control panels.
Check your thermostat settings haven’t reset to defaults.
For hydronic systems, verify pressure levels are in the safe range (usually 1–1.5 bar).
Run a test cycle at low temperature for 1 hour to ensure even heating.
🔧 For added peace of mind, Kibitec offers a pre-winter system test for homes in Malta. Book your inspection now.
8. When You Should NOT Turn Off Underfloor Heating Completely| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Yes, we’re telling you how to turn it off—but there are some cases where doing so can cause more harm than good.
🚫 Don’t turn it off if:
Your floors are solid concrete or stone that stay cold for days.
You live in a damp, coastal area (like Marsaskala or Xemxija).
The system is also used for cooling or dehumidifying (some advanced systems do).
You have a new floor installation (curing time matters).
In these cases, use eco or frost protection mode instead. That way, your floors stay protected, and your energy bills don’t spike when it’s time to heat up again.
9. Smart Automation Tips: Let Your Thermostat Do the Work| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
One of the biggest upgrades you can make is letting technology manage your system for you. If you’re constantly forgetting when or how to turn off underfloor heating, smart thermostats are a game-changer.
Here’s what they can do for you:
Detect when you’re not home (via GPS/geofencing).
Follow seasonal schedules—so you don’t have to remember.
Send alerts if the system is left on for too long.
Lower the temperature based on real-time weather conditions in Malta.
Give you monthly reports on energy use.
Popular smart thermostat brands we install:
ThermoSphere (UK-based, electric heating)
Heatmiser Neo (easy to control zones)
Nest and Tado (great for app-based control)
Uponor Smatrix (for advanced hydronic systems)
Want to automate everything and forget the hassle? Let us install your next smart thermostat and we’ll even program it for Malta’s seasons.
10. FAQs – Clearing Up Common Misconceptions| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
âť“ Can I just unplug the system from the wall?
No. Electric underfloor heating should be turned off via the thermostat or breaker—never by unplugging components, which can void warranties or cause electrical faults.
âť“ Does turning the system off damage it?
No, but if left off in humid or damp environments, mould or floor warping can occur. Use standby or low settings in those cases.
❓ How do I know it’s really off?
Check the display on your thermostat or app. It should read OFF, or show a moon/standby icon. For hydronic systems, listen—no pump noise means it’s off.
âť“ Is there a risk of freezing pipes?
Unlikely in Malta. However, if your system is in an unheated basement or garage, you can enable frost protection to avoid long-term damage.
âś… Contact Us to Set, Shut Down, or Service Your Heating System| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
At Kibitec, we offer full underfloor heating services in Malta—from installation to system check-ups and thermostat programming.
Not sure how to turn off underfloor heating in your specific setup? Want to install a smart thermostat or prepare your system for summer?
We’ve got your back.
👉 Contact us today to speak to one of our certified technicians.
🔧 Check Out Our Underfloor Heating Services in Malta| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
From energy-efficient electric mats to full hydronic systems with smart zoning, our team installs and maintains systems across the island.
👉 Explore our services to learn more or book your free consultation.
đź“š Learn More About Underfloor Heating| How to Turn Off Underfloor Heating
Want to dive deeper into how these systems work? See the full background on underfloor heating and understand the science behind radiant heat systems.
