When it comes to home comfort in Malta, especially during the cooler months, underfloor heating is one of the smartest investments you can make. It’s efficient, invisible, and incredibly cozy. But one question we hear a lot from Maltese homeowners is: what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night?
Let’s answer that question directly:
👉 The ideal night-time temperature for underfloor heating is between 15°C and 17°C.
This range strikes the perfect balance between comfort and energy savings while ensuring your floor stays pleasantly warm without overheating your rooms.
But that’s just the beginning. In this guide, we’re going to unpack the full story behind that answer—why it matters, how it affects your energy bills, sleep quality, and long-term heating system performance. Whether you already have underfloor heating or you’re considering installing it in your Malta property, read on.
🌙 Why Night-Time Temperatures Matter More Than You Think| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
You might assume that once you’ve set up your underfloor heating system, it’s a simple case of “set it and forget it.” But that’s not quite true. How you set your heating at night directly influences your energy costs, comfort levels, and even your sleep.
Let’s break it down:
Energy Efficiency: Heating an empty or sleeping home at the same temperature as during the day is unnecessary and expensive. Lowering it just a few degrees at night can lead to savings of €150–€300 per year.
Sleep Quality: Research shows that cooler temperatures at night help regulate melatonin levels and improve sleep cycles. Keeping your underfloor heating at 15°C–17°C creates a calm, cozy environment without overheating.
System Longevity: Constant high temperatures stress any heating system. A nightly temperature dip helps your underfloor heating components last longer.
So, when asking what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night, you’re really asking: how can I live better, sleep better, and save more money?
🌡️ How Underfloor Heating Works (And Why It Affects Night Settings)| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
Before we go further, let’s quickly understand how underfloor heating operates. Whether you have electric or water-based systems, both work by warming the floor surface and then allowing that heat to rise gradually, warming the entire room. This differs significantly from traditional radiator systems that create sharp temperature fluctuations.
👉 Underfloor heating is more consistent but also slower to heat up and cool down. This thermal lag means you need to think ahead with your thermostat settings, especially at night.
That’s why just turning it off at bedtime won’t instantly cool your home—and turning it on in the morning won’t heat it up quickly either. Smart thermostats or programmable timers are a must to manage your heating efficiently.
In Malta, where nights can be chilly (especially in older stone homes), maintaining a consistent 15–17°C overnight helps preserve that balance of comfort and cost-effectiveness.
🏠 Factors That Influence Your Ideal Night-Time Setting| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
The recommended 15°C to 17°C night-time temperature range isn’t set in stone. Your ideal setting for what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night might depend on:
1. Your Flooring Type
Tile or Stone: These hold heat longer, so you can go slightly lower—around 15°C.
Laminate or Engineered Wood: These materials retain less heat, so keep it closer to 17°C.
Carpet: If compatible with your system, carpet insulates heat well, so a lower setting may still feel warm underfoot.
2. Your Insulation Level
Homes in Malta vary significantly in insulation. If your home lacks modern insulation, your heating may need to work harder at night. In that case, aim for closer to 17°C.
3. The Room’s Purpose
Not every room needs heating at night.
Bedrooms: Keep at 15–16°C.
Bathrooms: Slightly warmer, around 17°C, to prevent cold tiles in the morning.
Living Areas: If unused overnight, go as low as 14°C.
4. Occupant Age & Health
Elderly residents, infants, or anyone with health conditions might need a slightly higher night-time temperature for safety and comfort—16.5°C to 18°C.
💶 How Much Can You Save By Lowering the Temperature at Night?| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
Here’s where things get interesting—your wallet.
Malta’s energy prices are lower than the EU average, but that doesn’t mean we should waste it. Heating still makes up the largest part of most household energy use. If your underfloor heating runs 24/7 at the same temperature, you’re likely spending €100–€300 more per year than necessary.
Let’s run a quick example:
| Setting | Average Night Temp | Annual Cost Estimate (80m² area) |
|---|---|---|
| Constant (24°C) | 24°C all night | ~€1,000–€1,200/year |
| Lowered at Night | 16°C at night | ~€700–€850/year |
That’s a potential saving of over €300 just by adjusting your thermostat between day and night hours.
Smart thermostats are the easiest way to automate this—and they’re compatible with most underfloor heating systems in Malta.
📱 Best Practices for Setting Your Underfloor Heating at Night| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
So we’ve answered the big question—what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night—but how do you implement it effectively?
Here are 7 best practices to get you started:
Use a Programmable Thermostat: Set a schedule that lowers the temperature around 10 PM and raises it again before you wake.
Avoid Turning It Completely Off: The system will use more energy reheating the space in the morning. A gentle overnight drop is more efficient.
Set Zone Controls: Focus warmth only where needed—bathroom, bedrooms, etc.
Monitor Humidity: Lower temperatures can increase condensation, especially in Malta’s humid winters. Keep rooms ventilated.
Insulate Well: Poorly insulated homes lose heat faster. Upgrade insulation to make low night settings more effective.
Combine With Rugs: A well-placed rug over tiles keeps warmth in and your toes toasty.
Test and Tweak: Every home is different. Try 16.5°C for a week, then 15°C—see what’s most comfortable and cost-effective for you.
🛠️ Want Expert Installation or Maintenance?| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
Whether you’re planning to install underfloor heating or want to optimize an existing system, we can help.
At Kibitec, we offer tailored underfloor heating solutions across Malta—from installation to smart thermostats and zoning systems. If you’re asking what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night, chances are you’re ready to make your system work better for you.
👉 Check out our service to learn more about your options.
Or, if you’re ready to talk to a real expert, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
🔌 Should You Turn Off Underfloor Heating Completely at Night?| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
This is one of the most debated questions we get from homeowners in Malta. People often assume that completely turning off their underfloor heating at night will save them money. But here’s the truth:
❌ Turning off your underfloor heating system entirely at night is not recommended.
Why? Because underfloor heating works gradually, not instantly. If you shut it off, your floors and rooms will lose heat completely, forcing the system to work harder (and consume more energy) in the morning to bring everything back up to temperature.
This is especially true for traditional Maltese homes built with thick limestone walls. These structures absorb and release heat slowly, meaning sudden temperature swings are inefficient and uncomfortable.
Instead, aim for a controlled night-time drop—from your usual day setting (e.g. 20–22°C) down to 15–17°C. This steady, moderate decrease ensures:
Lower energy bills
More stable indoor climates
Less strain on your heating system
If you’re using smart thermostats or time-based controllers, this process becomes seamless and automatic.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid with Night-Time Underfloor Heating Settings| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
We’ve helped hundreds of households across Malta with underfloor heating installations, and we’ve seen some patterns when it comes to night-time usage. Here are the top mistakes you should avoid:
❌ 1. Setting Too High a Night Temperature
Some people only drop their settings by 1–2 degrees at night—barely enough to make a difference. That’s why the golden range of 15°C to 17°C matters. Dropping from 22°C to 21°C won’t do much. Dropping to 16°C will.
❌ 2. Forgetting to Adjust by Zone
You don’t need all rooms at the same temperature. Use zoning to your advantage:
Bedrooms: 15–16°C
Unused living spaces: 14–15°C
Bathrooms: Up to 17°C
❌ 3. Turning It Completely Off
As explained earlier, this backfires. You’ll lose heat and pay more to reheat in the morning.
❌ 4. Not Using Smart Controls
Manual thermostats are limiting. With a smart system, you can pre-set a full schedule tailored to your lifestyle. Imagine having your bathroom heated to 22°C at 6:30 AM—automatically.
❌ 5. Ignoring Insulation
If your home leaks heat, your heating won’t be efficient—day or night. Floor insulation, window seals, and double glazing all help maintain that cozy nighttime warmth.
💬 FAQs: What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set at Night?| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
Let’s address some common questions Maltese homeowners ask about night-time heating:
✅ Can I lower the temperature more in summer months?
Yes! In fact, during warmer nights (especially late spring and early autumn in Malta), you can reduce or even turn off your underfloor heating overnight. Just make sure humidity is under control to avoid condensation.
✅ Will lowering the temperature at night damage the system?
No. In fact, it’s better for the system. It reduces wear, keeps components cooler, and extends their lifespan—saving you future maintenance costs.
✅ Can underfloor heating be used just at night?
Technically yes, but it’s not recommended due to how it functions. It’s best used to maintain a constant comfortable level, not for rapid heating or cooling.
✅ Is this advice valid for both electric and water-based systems?
Absolutely. The principles remain the same—just be aware that hydronic (water-based) systems retain heat slightly longer, so you may find a lower night setting still keeps the floor warm.
✅ How can I check my current energy use?
Smart thermostats often come with energy tracking. If you don’t have one, check your Enemalta bills and compare usage across different months or before/after adjusting your night setting.
🧠 Pro Tips from Underfloor Heating Experts in Malta| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
Now that you understand what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night, here are some bonus tips from our on-the-ground experience installing systems across Malta:
🔹 Use timers creatively
If you wake at 6:30 AM, start reheating your rooms at 5:30 or 6 AM. Remember, floors take time to warm up.
🔹 Combine with ceiling fans (in reverse mode)
They help gently distribute warm air downwards on colder nights, helping your underfloor heating work less.
🔹 Regularly update your thermostat firmware
Smart thermostats are mini-computers—keep them updated for optimal scheduling, energy efficiency, and performance.
🔹 Monitor floor temps—not just room air
Some thermostats let you read floor surface temperature separately from air temperature. This is more relevant for tile or marble floors, which can feel colder than they really are.
📞 Contact Us for a Custom Underfloor Heating Solution in Malta| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
Still wondering what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night in your specific home? Every property is different—stone villas in Mdina, modern apartments in Sliema, or traditional farmhouses in Gozo.
👉 At Kibitec, we offer bespoke underfloor heating consultations so we can assess your home, your insulation, and your lifestyle needs to recommend the best settings and equipment.
Ready to chat?
👉 Contact us today and we’ll help you heat smarter, not harder.
🔧 Check Out Our Service Page for Underfloor Heating in Malta| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
We’ve helped homeowners across Malta discover the comfort and efficiency of well-installed, expertly programmed systems. Whether you’re building a new home or retrofitting an old one, we’ll walk you through it.
🛠️ Want to learn more?
👉 Check out our Underfloor Heating Service
✅ Final Thoughts: A Small Change That Makes a Big Difference| What Temperature Should Underfloor Heating Be Set At Night
The answer to what temperature should underfloor heating be set at night may seem small—just a few degrees. But this small change can lead to:
Lower energy bills
Better sleep
A longer-lasting heating system
A more sustainable home
For homeowners in Malta, where comfort meets efficiency in every square metre, it’s a decision worth making thoughtfully.
Still have questions or need a custom quote?
📩 Reach out to our team today
