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Who Invented Underfloor Heating?

Although the Romans are widely credited with introducing underfloor heating, recent archeological evidence suggests that the practice originated in South Asia some 5000 years BC in what is now Pakistan and Western India. There is also evidence of underfloor heating systems in Korea (called Ondol) that date back to between 37BC & AD668.

When was it Introduced to Great Britain?

Underfloor heating was first introduced to Britain 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Initially the preserve of the rich, underfloor heating became increasingly commonplace in public buildings and villas, particularly in the colder regions of the Roman Empire.

How did it Work?

The system the Romans employed involved "hypocausts" - ducts under the
floor and flues in walls with hot air from fires travelling through them. The hot air would then warm the tiles or bricks and the heat would be passed into rooms.

The picture above right shows the columns of tiles on which the floor would have sat. The heat, generated by a furnace on an exterior wall, would pass under the floor and up through the walls to chimneys located at the corners of the room.