Designed for furniture and cabinetry in collaboration with renowned European lighting specialist Halemeier, the collection integrates seamlessly into joinery to deliver both exceptional functionality and refined ambience.

The comprehensive range includes versatile Versa LED Strips, sleek ChannelLine Profiles, and sophisticated spotlight solutions including CircleLite, LitePanel and IrisLight. These LED systems provide discreet illumination exactly where it’s needed, whether inside pantry cupboards, wardrobes, drawers, display cabinets or beneath benchtops.

Unlike conventional lighting that is added as an afterthought, Magic Lighting is engineered to disappear within the cabinetry itself. Some products in this range can be cut to suit even the most compact spaces, while others feature glare-free opal diffusers that produce a smooth, even glow without visible LED dotting. The range also features compact spotlights that can beautifully accent open shelving and feature joinery, adding depth and visual interest throughout the home.

The convenience this range can facilitate is quite impressive. Sensor and switch options automatically illuminate drawers and cupboards as they open, while Zigbee compatibility allows lighting to integrate seamlessly with connected smart home devices for effortless control and automation.

Available in warm white (3000K), neutral white (4000K) and multi-white/tunable white (2700K–6000K), as well as minimalist aluminium ChannelLine profiles and understated spotlight finishes, Magic Lighting complements virtually every cabinetry style.

For more information

HETTICH
P 1800 687 789

The post Lighting Magic appeared first on Completehome.

In 2026, Focal Point Fires, the company behind British Fires, received the award for International Trade after strong growth in overseas sales. Australia is one of the markets behind that growth. The King’s Award for Enterprise is one of the UK’s most respected business honours. You can’t buy your way onto the list. It’s judged on results.

The company started in 1983 on England’s south coast, near the New Forest. British Fires followed in 2019 with one goal: build the most realistic electric fire on the market.

Why the flame looks real

Every New Forest fire sold in Australia comes with Deluxe Real Logs made from genuine English oak. The logs are cut and charred, then placed by hand. Look closely. You can see the grain and the bark.

On the New Forest 870 to 2400, Air Curtain Technology sends warm air out through the top of the fire, allowing the log bed to sit deeper behind a clean glass front that finishes flush with the wall. No frame, no vents in view.

The Black Edition gives a richer picture by replacing the mirrored back with dark glass. It also adds crystal clear anti-reflective front glass by Schott, an Australian specification.

Two recent Australian homes

Chifley, NSW. The owners of this new family home had planned on an ethanol fireplace. Then they compared the options side by side, looking for the one that actually looked like a real fire. They chose a New Forest 1600.

Greenwith, SA. Frame, electrical, stone, fire. That was the order of works. A low linear British Fires fire sits in a stone-clad feature wall beside the TV. With no flue or gas line to plan around, it went in as part of the build.

Why designers and builders specify it

A British Fires fire needs power. There’s no flue, chimney or gas line to accommodate, which opens up apartments, townhouses, renovations and new builds where a traditional fireplace was never an option. You can run the flame on its own all year round. Each fire also includes a 1.5kW heater for gentle warmth in front of the fire when you want it.

The New Forest range runs from 870mm to 2400mm wide, with single-sided, corner and three-sided versions available alongside the compact 650 Square. For narrow walls, there’s the portrait-format Knightwood. The Ashlett is made to fit existing fireplace openings.

Nothing like a British fire.

Find your nearest British Fires retailer at britishfires.com.au/where-to-buy

The post Royal recognition, real Australian homes appeared first on Completehome.

The Evonic Volante 1250 Black Edition brings refined design and advanced flame technology into any living space. Combining cutting-edge LED technology with a refined design to deliver exceptionally realistic flame effects, the Black Edition is crafted to create a mesmerising focal point, with flames enhanced by a sleek black rear screen and a hand-fi nished Cotswold log fuel bed. The result is a visually captivating display that brings both warmth and atmosphere to discerning dwellings.

With an array of sleek forms, sizes and flame effects, Evonic offers more than warmth — it adds atmosphere, elegance and a sense of design-led comfort. Evonic fireplaces can be controlled by the remote control supplied, or by downloading the E-Smart Cloud App for Apple or Android, and via Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

The Volante Black Edition range offers versatile installations to suit your space:

• One-sided: single glass panel at the front.
• Two-sided: front glass panel plus one side (left or right).
• Three-sided: glass on the front and both sides.
• Four different sizes.

Available from Castworks, the Evonic Volante 1250 Black Edition is perfectly sized for modern homes or commercial spaces, providing warmth, ambience and a striking centrepiece.

For more information

Castworks

The post Catching Fire appeared first on Completehome.

Voltex’s ARIA outlets and switches range is now available nationwide, following its recognition in the Hardware and Building category at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards.

Designed in Australia over five years, ARIA brings together 144 coordinated power points, switches, dimmers, data points and accessories. It gives homeowners, architects and interior designers a consistent finish across the home, from the switch by the front door to laptop charging at the desk.

The ambition was to give these everyday details the same consideration as the surfaces around them.

“Could a switch feel as considered as the rest of the interior?” says Federico Taddei, Voltex’s Director of Product Experience & Innovation. “A light switch is one of the most frequently touched objects in a home, yet it is often one of the most overlooked.”

The ARIA range’s slim 6.25mm profile sits close to the wall, with four finishes offering different ways to work with an interior palette. Matte White and Matte Black use a controlled fingerprint resistant polycarbonate surface. The Signature finishes, Light Grey Brass and Dark Grey Silver, use real anodised aluminium with a contrasting semi-gloss edge that catches the light. The material choice carries through to how the plate feels under the hand.

LED-backlit push-button and toggle dimming controls give the range a distinctive geometric glow. The toggle dimmer’s unique blade design makes its operation clear: press to switch on or off, lift to brighten and lower to dim. Soft-fade dimming lets light rise and fall gently.

The range also includes Australia’s first 65W Twin USB-C wall outlet. It charges laptops directly from the wall, removing the need for a separate charger brick on the bench or desk. A single port delivers up to 65W, with 45W and 20W available when both ports are used.

Co-designed with electricians, ARIA makes the slim finish designers want easier to achieve on site. Feedback on other slim outlets highlighted the extra cutting their fixing points could require, particularly through tile and glass. ARIA’s development team reworked the fixing design with protective screw covers and stainless steel reinforcement, balancing strength with enough flex to help the outlet sit flat. The result preserves the slim finish while simplifying the work behind it.

The Australian Good Design Awards jury recognised ARIA’s “meaningful performance improvements beyond aesthetic refinement”, commending its “elegant metal finishes” and the benefits delivered to installers and end users.

“From an architectural perspective, I was drawn to the slim profile and refined contrasting edge detail,” says Julia, Founder and Principal Interior Designer at JML Design.

Non-electronic ARIA products carry a 25-year parts-and-labour warranty, with seven years on electronics.

ARIA is available nationally through Voltex. Homeowners and specifiers can explore the range, request samples and download the lookbook, with their licensed electrician ordering direct from Voltex and completing the installation.

For more information

Visit voltexelectrical.com.au

The post Voltex launches ARIA nationwide following Australian Good Design Award win appeared first on Completehome.

Adding underfloor heating during a renovation is one of the most practical ways to bring lasting comfort into an existing Australian home.

Electric underfloor heating makes it possible to retrofit warmth into bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens and living areas with minimal impact on floor height, while hydronic underfloor heating can be considered for larger renovations where floors are being rebuilt or built up.

This guide explains what homeowners, builders and trades need to consider, from floor finishes and waterproofing through to system choice, controls and installation timing, so you can get the right result before the new floor goes down.

Can You Retrofit Underfloor Heating into an Existing Home?

Yes. Underfloor heating can be retrofitted into many existing Australian homes, particularly when you are replacing tiles, carpet or timber flooring as part of a renovation.

You do not need to rebuild the entire house to enjoy warm floors. For most room-by-room renovations, electric underfloor heating is the most practical option. It is installed beneath the new floor finish and is especially well suited to bathrooms, ensuites, kitchens, laundries, bedrooms and living rooms.

Comfort Heat offers low-profile electric systems that can be installed within the tile adhesive layer, beneath floating timber or between carpet and underlay. For major renovations where floors are being removed and rebuilt, hydronic underfloor heating may also be an option for larger zones or whole-home comfort.

Comfort Heat tip: Ask about underfloor heating before new tiles, flooring, cabinetry and bathroom fixtures are ordered. Planning early gives you the greatest choice of systems and helps avoid avoidable changes to floor levels, door clearances or installation coordination.

When to Plan Underfloor Heating During a Renovation

The best time to add underfloor heating is when your existing flooring is already coming out, or when your new floor finish has not yet been installed.

This can include:

• Replacing bathroom or ensuite tiles
• Renovating a kitchen, laundry or mudroom
• Laying new tile or stone floors
• Installing floating timber flooring
• Re-carpeting bedrooms or living areas
• Adding a new extension
• Renovating a granny flat or secondary dwelling
• Rebuilding a ground-floor slab or screed
• Completing a major whole-home renovation

Heating is generally not an upgrade to leave until the end. The system needs to be installed beneath the finished floor, so it must be designed around the floor construction, permanent fixtures and heating zones.

For homeowners, thinking about underfloor heating early means you can make a considered comfort decision while the room is already under construction. For builders, early coordination prevents disruption later in the programme.

Comfort Heat’s promise is Invisible Luxury, Irresistible Comfort. In renovation terms, that means getting the detail beneath the floor right so the finished home feels better every day, without adding visual clutter or complexity.

We also provide a custom design layout for every job, regardless of project size or scope.

What Homeowners Need to Consider Before Retrofitting

When planning underfloor heating for a renovation, you do not need to become a heating expert. However, having the following information ready will help your Comfort Heat specialist recommend the right solution.

Which rooms are you renovating?

Bathroom underfloor heating is the most popular retrofit application in Australia, but it is not the only option.

Think about the rooms where warmth would make the biggest difference to daily life:

• Bathrooms and ensuites with cold tile floors
• Kitchens where your household spends long periods standing
• Bedrooms where cold floors make winter mornings harder
• Living spaces with tiled, stone or timber flooring
• Laundries, hallways and entryways
• Home offices, yoga rooms and wellness spaces
• New extensions or converted garages
• A bathroom may be the natural first project, but a larger renovation can be designed in zones so you can heat specific rooms independently.

What floor finish are you using?

Your floor covering is one of the most important factors in choosing a retrofit underfloor heating system.

Tile and stone are highly effective finishes for underfloor heating because they conduct warmth well. Thin mats are commonly selected where no screed is being laid and floor height is limited.

Comfort Heat also offers purpose-designed systems for floating timber and carpet, helping homeowners extend radiant warmth beyond traditional tiled bathrooms.

How much floor height is available?

Floor height is one of the biggest technical considerations in a renovation.

Door thresholds, bathroom falls, floor wastes, adjoining floor levels and joinery all need to be considered before the system is selected. This is especially important in a bathroom retrofit, where even a few millimeters can affect drainage and transitions to adjacent rooms.

Comfort Heat Thin Heating Mats are approximately 3 mm high and sit within the tile adhesive or a thin levelling layer. This typically creates a total build-up of around 6 mm, depending on the substrate, adhesive and finish.

Where a new screed is being installed, electric screed cable may be more suitable. That system is embedded in a sand and cement screed and requires a larger floor build-up, which makes it best for projects where the construction allows for it.

How do you use each room?

The right system is also shaped by how and when a room is used.

A bathroom often benefits from a programmed schedule that warms the floor before the household wakes. A guest ensuite may only need heating when visitors are staying. Bedrooms can be independently controlled for a comfortable morning routine, while kitchen and living areas may require a different heating schedule.

Comfort Heat’s thermostat range includes straightforward controls, Wi-Fi programmable options and home automation-compatible thermostats. This allows homeowners to zone their heating and use warmth where it is needed, rather than heating every room the same way.

What Builders and Trades Need to Plan For

For builders and trades, retrofit underfloor heating is most successful when it is included in the early coordination process.

The system itself is designed to be straightforward, but it needs to work with waterproofing, tiling, electrical rough-in, floor finishes and the wider construction programme.

Confirm the floor build-up

Before installation, establish:

• The existing subfloor type, such as concrete slab, compressed sheet or timber
• The proposed finished floor material and thickness
• Whether a screed or levelling compound is planned
• Required door clearances and room-to-room transitions
• Bathroom floor falls and waste locations
• Fixed cabinetry, vanities, baths and appliances
• Expansion joints and construction joints where relevant
• Thermostat and electrical connection locations

Underfloor heating is generally designed around permanent fixtures and joinery. It is not usually installed beneath built-in cabinetry, baths or other fixed elements because those areas do not contribute meaningfully to room comfort and may restrict heat dissipation.

A Comfort Heat custom design layout provides a clear reference for builders, electricians, water proofers and flooring installers. It supports cleaner coordination and helps reduce uncertainty on site.

Coordinate trades for your renovation

Bathroom renovations require careful sequencing.

1. A licensed electrician installs the required power supply and conduits within the wall.
2. A waterproofing system is applied to the sub-floor.
3. The heating cable is laid onto the waterproofed surface using methods that avoid penetrating the waterproofing membrane.
4. A screed bed is laid over the cable and levelled to an even finish.
5. A second layer of waterproofing is applied over the screed.
6. The tiler can now complete the tiled floor installation.
7. The licensed electrician completes the thermostat electrical connection.

Every bathroom is different, so the precise construction sequence should be agreed by the builder, waterproofer, tiler, electrician and heating supplier before work starts. This is particularly important where floor falls, drainage and compliance requirements are involved.

Plan the electrical works early

Electric underfloor heating must be connected by a licensed electrician.

The electrician will generally need to:

• Install the electrical supply in the walls
• Run conduit to the floor
• Connect and test the heating system
• Install the thermostat
• Complete commissioning and compliance work

Comfort Heat provides product information, loading details and installation guidance to support the electrician and flooring contractor through the process.

For owner-builders and experienced trades, Comfort Heat also offers custom-designed DIY electric kits, including a personalised installation diagram and technical support. Electrical connection work must still be completed by a licensed electrician.

Which Underfloor Heating System Suits a Renovation?

The best underfloor heating system for a renovation depends on the scope of work, the floor construction and the size of the area being heated.

Electric systems are generally the best fit for room-by-room renovation and retrofit projects. Hydronic systems are often most appropriate for extensive renovations and new builds where the floor structure is being rebuilt and whole-home heating is part of the brief.

Bathroom Underfloor Heating Renovation and Retrofit

A bathroom is one of the most rewarding rooms to add underfloor heating to during a renovation.

It is often the first space you enter in the morning and the last one you use at night. It is also likely to have tiled floors, high moisture levels and limited wall space for conventional heating.

Electric thin mat underfloor heating is a popular solution for bathroom renovations because it provides warm tiles without requiring major changes to the room layout. It is installed close to the finished tile surface and can be controlled with a thermostat and floor sensor for comfortable, consistent temperature management.

Bathroom renovation checklist

Before finalising your bathroom heating design, confirm:

• Are the existing tiles being removed, or tiled over?
• Will the bathroom be fully re-waterproofed?
• Is there enough clearance at the doorway for the floor build-up?
• Are the floor waste and required falls being changed?
• Will the tiles be laid directly on the subfloor or over a screed?
• Where will the thermostat be located?
• Where can the electrician run conduit and power?
• Which areas will be covered by fixed cabinetry, baths or vanities?
• Is a mirror demister worth including while the bathroom is open?

A Comfort Heat mirror demister mat is installed behind the bathroom mirror and gently warms its surface to help prevent fogging after showers. It is a small addition, but it supports the same design philosophy as underfloor heating: practical comfort that works quietly in the background.

Retrofitting Underfloor Heating in Other Rooms

Kitchen renovations

Kitchens are high-use spaces where people spend long periods standing, cooking and gathering. If you are replacing tiled, stone or other hard flooring, underfloor heating can create a noticeably more comfortable room without using valuable wall space.

Thin mats can suit tiled kitchen renovations where floor height is tight. Screed cable may suit a larger kitchen or extension where a new screed is part of the floor build-up. The custom heating layout should allow for islands, fixed cabinetry, appliances and other permanent fixtures.

Bedrooms and carpeted living rooms

If you are re-carpeting a bedroom or lounge room, underfloor heating can be incorporated at the same time.

Comfort Heat Carpet Heating Mats are positioned between the underlay and carpet. They are designed to remain undetectable underfoot, while delivering gentle radiant warmth through the carpeted space.

For floating timber flooring, Comfort Heat’s Under Timber Mats are engineered for timber floors and are designed to operate within the temperature tolerances of the material. Always confirm that your selected flooring product is approved by its manufacturer for use with underfloor heating.

Extensions and larger home retrofits

An extension is an opportunity to make a broader comfort decision.

If you are adding a new kitchen, open-plan living room, main bedroom suite or backyard pavilion, underfloor heating can be designed from the beginning of the construction programme. The scale of the extension, type of floor construction and desired heating coverage will determine whether electric or hydronic heating is the better solution.

For larger whole-home renovations, hydronic underfloor heating may be paired with an Intaflo air-to-water heat pump. The system circulates warm water through pipes beneath the floor and is designed for continuous, even radiant heat across larger areas.

Intaflo heat pumps are available from 9 kW to 30 kW, include Wi-Fi control and are compatible with solar power systems.

Can You Install Underfloor Heating Over Existing Tiles?

Yes!

Electric thin heating mats can be installed over existing tiles when the existing surface is sound, properly prepared and primed. The system is laid beneath the new floor finish, usually within tile adhesive or levelling compound.

This can be an appealing approach where removing the existing tiles would be excessively disruptive or costly. However, it is not suitable for every renovation.

Before installing underfloor heating over old tiles, consider:

• Are the existing tiles firmly bonded and free from movement?
• Will the additional floor height affect doors or thresholds?
• Will bathroom drainage and floor falls still work correctly?
• Does the renovation require new waterproofing?
• Is the substrate suitable for the new tile installation?
• Has the tiler approved the full proposed floor build-up?

A discussion between the builder, tiler, heating specialist and homeowner is essential before choosing this approach.

Electric vs Hydronic Underfloor Heating for Renovations

Both electric and hydronic underfloor heating provide radiant warmth from the floor up. The difference is primarily in their ideal project type, installation method and scale.

For individual rooms being renovated, electric underfloor heating is usually the most practical and cost-effective starting point. Thin mats can be installed with minimal change to the existing floor height, and room-by-room controls help homeowners heat only the spaces they use.

For major renovations involving larger floor areas, new screeds or slabs, hydronic underfloor heating may be the better long-term choice. Comfort Heat’s hydronic systems can be paired with the Intaflo heat pump, offering a fully electric whole-home solution that can also work with rooftop solar.

Why a Custom Design Layout Matters

Every renovation has different constraints.

A small ensuite has different requirements from a large kitchen extension. A floating timber bedroom floor differs from a tiled bathroom floor. A heritage renovation may have limited floor height, while a new rear extension may allow for a complete screed or slab system.

That is why custom design matters.

Comfort Heat is the only heating company in Australia that provides a custom design layout for every project, regardless of size or complexity. The layout is designed around your specific room dimensions, permanent fixtures, floor finish, heating zones and installation conditions.

This helps ensure the heating system does what it should: provides effective, even warmth in the areas you use, while remaining completely unseen.

Comfort Heat has been Australian-owned and operated for more than 25 years, with a complete service that covers design, supply, installation and ongoing support. The team brings 75 years of combined engineering and installation experience to each project, and the approach remains simple: if underfloor heating is not the right solution for your renovation, Comfort Heat will tell you.

That is comfort you can trust, designed to feel effortless for years to come.

Ready to Plan Your Renovation?

A renovation is the ideal time to create the comfort you will feel for decades. Before you lock in your tiles, timber, carpet or bathroom layout, explore the right system for your project with the Comfort Heat Product Finder or speak with a Comfort Heat specialist.

Comfort Heat delivers complete electric and hydronic underfloor heating solutions, from custom design and supply through to installation support and ongoing care. It is Invisible Luxury, Irresistible Comfort, designed around the way you live.

The team here at Comfort Heat has over 25 years of experience and will always a custom design layout that assesses whether your existing floor structure is suitable. Contact the team to discuss your specific renovation.

The post Underfloor Heating Renovation & Retrofit Guide Australia appeared first on Completehome.

Designed in Australia, ARIA includes 144 coordinated outlets, switches, mechanisms and accessories across four finishes. For architects, designers and specifiers, that breadth offers a practical way to maintain visual consistency as electrical needs change between spaces.

Material choices that carry through

A fitting’s relationship with its surroundings begins with its finish. ARIA’s Matte White and Matte Black offer a soft visual presence, using polycarbonate with a controlled matte surface designed to resist oil and grime. White complements pale walls and lighter materials, while black can create a deliberate accent or sit quietly within dark joinery.

The signature Light Grey Brass and Dark Grey Silver finishes introduce real anodised aluminium. Contrasting chamfered edges catch the light, giving the plates definition without overwhelming the surrounding palette. Their warm and cool tones provide scope to coordinate with tapware, architectural hardware and other metal details.

A slim 6.25mm profile keeps the range close to the wall, while finish-matched mechanisms carry the selection through to the controls themselves. The result is a consistent treatment of the details seen both across a room and at arm’s length.

Everyday functions, thoughtfully integrated

A cohesive electrical selection needs to accommodate more than standard switches and power points. Charging, dimming, appliance control and data connections all form part of daily life.

ARIA extends its design language across those functions. Laptop-capable Twin USB-C charging brings power directly to a compatible device, reducing the need for a separate charger brick. TV and data points coordinate with the surrounding switches and outlets, while appliance switching up to 40A supports the functional requirements of the kitchen.

Horizontal and vertical formats give designers options for different locations. One- to six-gang switching and outlets with extra-switch provision allow multiple functions to be grouped within a single plate, helping reduce wall clutter.

Interaction is equally considered. LED-backlit push-button and toggle controls glow softly when active. The toggle dimmer presses to switch, lifts to brighten and lowers to dim, with soft-fade dimming providing a gentle transition between light levels.

Designed to reach the finished space

Carrying a selection through to installation also depends on practical details. ARIA uses familiar 30 Series mechanism apertures, supporting straightforward installation by electricians. A stainless-steel-reinforced grid takes screw load off the slim face, helping the corners stay flat.

Voltex backs non-electronic products with a 25-year parts and labour warranty, with seven years on electronics.

For project teams, ARIA offers a coordinated approach to the fittings that complete an interior and become part of everyday routines. The ARIA lookbook brings together finishes, configurations and technical specifications to support selection, with the project’s licensed electrician able to order the range directly from Voltex.

For more information

ARIA for designers

The post ARIA brings interior design thinking to outlets and switches appeared first on Completehome.

For more than three decades, Dragon Wholesaling has brought the world’s most respected fire brands into Australian homes. Three names form the heart of the range: Lopi, British Fires and Hunter Stoves. Each one solves a different problem, and together they cover almost every style of home and every way of heating it.

Lopi has been building premium fires in Mukilteo, Washington since 1981, and warming Australian homes since 1990. Every Lopi heater is engineered to burn cleaner, radiate more heat and last a lifetime. The wood range offers deep flames, large viewing windows and finishes that suit a Federation cottage just as comfortably as a clean-lined modern build.

The Lopi gas fireplace range offers serious heat output, well beyond what most people expect from a gas appliance, with realistic log sets, sealed combustion for clean indoor air and the simple comfort of switching on a real flame at the end of a long day.

British Fires is a specialist electric f re brand designed for the way Australians live today. The range, including the New Forest with Deluxe Real Logs, delivers convincing flame effects, gentle warmth on demand, and instant control from the wall. There is no flue, no chimney, no wood to store and no annual servicing. That makes British Fires a natural fit for apartments, townhouses, holiday rentals and renovations where a traditional fireplace just isn’t possible. Plug in, switch on, and unwind.

Hunter Stoves brings British engineering and craftsmanship to the Australian market through the Parkray brand, established in 1952. The Aspect Eco range includes the Aspect 5, Aspect 8 and Aspect 14, which deliver low-emission, high-efficiency wood heating with clean lines and large glass viewing areas. Providing peace of mind, every Hunter Stoves wood heater is backed by a 10-year firebox warranty.

To find your local Lopi, British Fires or Hunter Stoves dealer, check out the websites.

The post Winter Warmth appeared first on Completehome.

ARIA gives that last layer more consideration.

The room doesn’t end at the switch

Consistency, or the lack of it, shows up in the finished room.

ARIA spans 144 coordinated outlets, switches, dimmers, data points and accessories. That breadth matters when the brief moves beyond the obvious points. The switch by the door. The outlet beside the bench. Laptop charging at the desk. Appliance control in the kitchen. The data point beside the television.

They can all stay inside the same ARIA family instead of one late-added function becoming the odd rectangle on the wall.

From power to data, the detail holds.

Matte or metal. Two different stories

Material changes how a switch sits in the room, catches light and feels under the hand.

ARIA Matte uses polycarbonate with a controlled surface designed to resist oil and grime. ARIA Signature takes a different route. Light Grey Brass and Dark Grey Silver use real anodised aluminium, finished with a contrasting semi-gloss edge that catches light around the plate.

The difference becomes most apparent as light moves across the wall: matte absorbs it; aluminium gives something back. Dark Grey Silver works with cool neutrals, darker surfaces and brushed metal. Light Grey Brass brings warmth beside soft whites, pale timber and brass hardware.

The switch doesn’t need to become the hero. It simply needs to belong.

The interaction should belong too

How it feels matters as much as how it looks.

ARIA’s LED-backlit push-button and toggle controls introduce a distinctive geometric glow at the point of touch. It gives the range a recognisable visual signature when illuminated, while the toggle dimmer makes the interaction just as deliberate: press to switch, lift to brighten and lower to dim.

Light rises and falls with a soft fade. How it works is as seamless as how it looks.

More function inside the wall

The electrical brief is changing too. Fast charging, clearer controls and connectivity now need to sit alongside traditional power without multiplying the clutter.

ARIA’s Australian-first Twin USB-C outlet delivers up to 65W from a single port, bringing laptop-capable charging directly into the wall. No separate charger brick occupying the outlet or work surface. Just more capability inside the same slim 6.25mm profile.

Function-icon switch mechs bring the same thinking to control, marking fan, heat, light, sensor, hob, oven and range functions with clean symbols instead of tiny labels. More information at the point of touch, without adding another thing to the wall.

A detail still has to survive the build

What is specified must survive fit-off.

Behind ARIA’s slim front face are trade-friendly 30mm mech apertures, 54mm hole-saw cut-outs and installation details developed around the way electricians already work.

A more considered finish shouldn’t ask the electrician to relearn the job behind it.

Non-electronic ARIA products are backed by a 25-year parts-and-labour warranty, with seven years on electronics.

Discover ARIA
Explore the complete range, finishes and applications.

Bring ARIA into your project
Download the lookbook, request samples or discuss your project with the Voltex team.

For more information

ARIA for designers

The post The electrical layer deserves a design brief appeared first on Completehome.

Your solar panels generate electricity that would otherwise be exported to the grid at a low feed-in tariff. Your underfloor heating , either electric or hydronic, uses that electricity to warm your home at a low cost.

The result is whole-home comfort with a running cost that can drop to almost nothing on a good solar day.

This guide explains exactly how Comfort Heat electric and hydronic systems integrate with PV solar, how to schedule your system to maximise solar self-consumption, and what to expect from your running costs once both systems are working together.

Why Underfloor Heating and Solar Are a Natural Pairing

Most Australian heating systems and solar setups exist in parallel. The solar generates power during the day, the heating runs in the evening, and the two never really interact. Underfloor heating breaks that pattern in a useful way.

The reason is thermal mass. A concrete slab or a well insulated screed floor stores heat effectively. You can charge it during the middle of the day when your solar panels are generating at peak output and you have surplus electricity, and it will release that warmth slowly through the evening, when your family is home and when grid electricity is most expensive.

This is the single most important concept in solar-integrated underfloor heating: the floor is a battery. Not a lithium battery, but a thermal one.

For Australian homeowners on time of use tariffs, pre heating the slab during peak solar hours and letting it coast through the evening peak is one of the most effective energy management strategies available.

The floor acts as a battery. Charge it with solar during the day, let it release warmth into the evening. No lithium required.

How Electric Underfloor Heating Integrates with Solar

Electric underfloor heating is the simplest system to integrate with solar. The heating elements – whether Thin Heating Mats in bathrooms and kitchens or Slab Cable systems under larger floor areas – are pure electrical loads. They draw from whatever power source is available.

When your solar system is generating, it draws from your panels. When solar is not available, they draw from the grid. No special configuration is required.

What turns a basic electric system into a genuinely solar smart system is scheduling. The MWD5 Wi-Fi thermostat allows you to programme a 7-day heating schedule with up to four events per day.

Setting your primary heating window to align with your solar generation hours (typically 9am to 3pm for north-facing panels in Australian winter) means the bulk of your heating runs on solar rather than grid power.

Scheduling for Solar with the MWD5

Australian solar panels are most productive between 10am and 2pm, with the generation window extending from around 8am to 4pm in winter depending on roof pitch, orientation, and cloud cover. A practical solar-optimised schedule for an electric underfloor heating system running in a typical Australian home looks like this:

Indicative schedule for a well-insulated home with a north-facing solar array. Adjust based on your generation profile and tariff.

The MWD5 thermostat also has a built-in Wi-Fi app so you can monitor and adjust the schedule remotely — useful when weather changes unexpectedly. For a full walkthrough of programming the MWD5, read our simple guide to turning on your MWD5 thermostat this winter.

Comfort Heat tip: Hydronic slab systems have the greatest thermal storage capacity of any Comfort Heat system. If you have an existing solar array or are planning to install one, an slab hydronic system is the best long term investment in solar-powered home comfort.

The Intaflo Heat Pump: Built for Solar

The Intaflo Series 3 heat pump is Comfort Heat’s recommended heat source for all hydronic underfloor heating systems.

It is an air to water inverter unit that produces around 4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed — a COP (coefficient of performance) of 4 depending on ambient temperature and flow rate.

What this means for solar integration is significant. For every kilowatt of solar electricity the heat pump consumes, it delivers around 4 kilowatts of heating to the floor circuit. A 6.6kW rooftop solar system generating at 70% capacity during a typical winter day produces around 4.6kW — enough to run the Intaflo 9kW unit (designed for 40 to 100 square metres of floor area) while still powering the rest of the home.

COP figures at A6/W35 standard conditions. Solar system size is approximate and assumes the heat pump runs during peak solar generation hours only. Actual solar output varies by location, roof pitch, and panel orientation.

The Intaflo Series 3 range uses R32 refrigerant, which has a 60% lower global warming potential than previous refrigerants. It is rated A+++ for energy efficiency under European standards, the highest classification available, and carries inverter technology for smooth, variable-speed operation that reduces electricity consumption during partial-load conditions.

If you are moving away from gas and want to understand the full picture, read our guide to rethinking gas in your new home. The Intaflo heat pump is one of the key reasons the transition to an all-electric home is now genuinely viable for Australian homeowners.

How to Schedule Your System to Maximise Solar Self-Consumption

Scheduling is the most important lever you have for solar-integrated underfloor heating. The principles are the same for both electric and hydronic systems, though hydronic systems have more thermal storage and therefore more flexibility.

The Core Principle: Pre-Heat During Solar Hours

Australian rooftop solar is most productive between 9am and 3pm. For most homeowners, this is a period when the house is empty or has low occupancy. Rather than letting that solar generation flow into the grid at a low feed-in tariff, schedule your underfloor heating to run during this window. The floor absorbs the heat, stores it, and releases it gradually through the afternoon and evening.

Solar Generation Hours by State and Panel Orientation

Based on Australian winter solar generation profiles. Actual output varies by latitude, roof pitch, shading, and panel efficiency.

Insulation quality is the multiplier on all of this. A well-insulated slab retains heat far longer than a poorly insulated one, which means the pre-heating window can be shorter and the evening comfort window can be longer. Read our guide to the importance of insulation under a heated slab for the full technical picture.

Practical Scheduling for Hydronic Systems

For hydronic systems with the Intaflo heat pump, schedule the heat pump to run one or two cycles during the peak solar window, typically a 2 to 3-hour cycle from 10am to 1pm, and a top-up cycle from 1pm to 3pm if afternoon solar is available. The MWD5 thermostat on the hydronic circuit supports this schedule directly. Set the target water temperature for the floor circuit, and the heat pump will run until it is achieved, drawing from solar the entire time.

Running Cost Comparison: Grid vs Solar-Powered

The difference in running costs between grid-powered and solar-powered underfloor heating is substantial.

Here is how the numbers work for a 100m2 for winter. This is an guide only.

Figures are indicative, actual costs depend on tariff, insulation, climate zone, solar system size, and usage patterns.

For a detailed breakdown of running costs across all Comfort Heat system types, use the Comfort Heat Running Cost Calculator — enter your floor area, electricity tariff, and solar system size to see exactly what your heating will cost per day, per week, and over a full winter.

Adding a Battery: Does It Make Sense?

A home battery extends the value of solar integration for underfloor heating by storing surplus midday generation and making it available in the evening. Whether it makes financial sense depends on your tariff structure, solar system size, and how you use your heating.

For hydronic underfloor heating with a concrete slab, the slab itself provides substantial thermal storage, the equivalent of several kilowatt-hours of heat storage at no extra cost. In most cases, the slab’s thermal mass means a battery is not required to achieve evening comfort from a daytime solar heating cycle.

For electric underfloor heating in individual rooms such as bathrooms and bedrooms where the thermal mass is lower and the heating cycle is shorter, a battery is more relevant.

These rooms heat quickly and are typically used for short periods. The value of a battery in this scenario is required.

In these situations, a 10kWh battery can absorb excess midday solar generation and power the Intaflo heat pump through a top-up cycle at 6pm, entirely off stored solar energy.

Comfort Heat’s view: the slab is your first battery. Install a well-insulated in slab hydronic system, schedule it to heat on solar, and assess your grid top-up costs after one full winter before deciding whether a lithium battery adds sufficient further value for your household.

What You Need for a Solar-Integrated Underfloor Heating System

You do not need any special hardware to integrate a Comfort Heat system with rooftop PV solar.

All Comfort Heat thermostats and the Intaflo heat pump run on standard single or three-phase mains electricity. When solar is generating, the system draws from solar.

When solar is insufficient, it draws from the grid. The integration is automatic.

What you do need is:

• A programmable thermostat such as the MWD5, which allows you to set heating windows that align with your solar generation profile. A non-programmable thermostat won’t be able to take advantage of solar scheduling.
• A solar system of sufficient size. For electric room heating, talk to our inhouse expert on you heat load requirements. For hydorinc setups, see the Intaflo model table above for sizing guidance by floor area.
• A well-insulated floor. Insulation under the slab or screed is the most important factor in extending the heating window after the solar cycle ends. Read more in our guide to slab insulation for underfloor heating.

Knowledge of your solar generation profile. North-facing panels peak at midday; west-facing panels peak in the afternoon. Your MWD5 schedule should be tuned to your specific roof orientation. Our running cost calculator includes a solar offset estimator to help with this.

New Builds vs Retrofits

New Builds

New builds offer the most complete solar integration opportunity. The in-slab hydronic system is specified at the design stage, insulation is built in from the ground up, and the solar system can be sized to match the heat pump from the outset.

This is the combination we at Comfort Heat recommends most strongly for homeowners building in cool-climate states.

Read our full guide to installing energy-efficient underfloor heating in a new home for the complete specification process.

Renovations and Retrofits

For existing homes, electric underfloor heating during a renovation — particularly in bathrooms and kitchens with the Thin Heating Mat — is the most practical solar-integrated upgrade available.

The system sits within the tile adhesive layer, adds minimal floor height, and can be running on a solar-scheduled MWD5 thermostat from day one. Running costs for a bathroom heated on solar are typically less than $10 for an entire winter.

For larger whole-home retrofits, a hydronic in-screed system is possible in many existing homes, particularly during kitchen and living area renovations.

The team here at Comfort Heat has over 25 years of experience and will always a custom design layout that assesses whether your existing floor structure is suitable. Contact the team to discuss your specific renovation.

The post Underfloor Heating and Solar Panels: The 2026 Australian Integration Guide appeared first on Completehome.

Each item is instrumental in shaping a space and the experiences of its users. When it comes to fireplaces, this is something Castworks understands well.

For three decades, they have intentionally developed their portfolio instead of following trends. They now offer a wide selection of international products, including the acclaimed Morsø cast iron indoor and outdoor stoves, ADF fires featuring a distinctive flue damper, modern Austroflamm fireplaces, the award-winning Hergóm heaters and wood burners, and Evonic’s newest electric fireplaces.

As a company dedicated to every detail that matters, they constantly seek products with a unique market position. Whether that’s through design, style or quality, they’re focused on bringing brands with strong reputations in Europe and products that they know will offer something unique to Australia.

By building long-term relationships and visiting international markets, Castworks can present architects, designers and homeowners, with products not commonly available in the local area.

For design-led architectural homes

Whether incorporated into a new build or renovation, Castworks’ fireplaces often find themselves being centrepieces.

Their fireplaces frequently serve as focal points, whether installed in new constructions or during renovations, and are often designated as focal points.

Instead of just providing simply heat, this is what everyone will congregate around on weekends and when guests are over.

They’re not an impulse purchase. The choices they provide are made because they align with the building’s structure, the interior aesthetic, and the homeowner’s preferred way of living.

The beauty of cast iron fireplaces

While not as widespread in Australia as in other countries, cast iron fireplaces are now featured in Castworks’ collection.

A benefit of cast iron is its easier moldability. Softer curves and more sculptural shapes, often seen in Scandinavian or Danish-inspired designs, are difficult to achieve with other materials.

The adaptability enables companies like Hergóm and Morso to produce these unique architectural items that serve as heating devices and decorative elements.

Additionally, cast iron offers practical advantages. Its radiant heat, importantly, enables fireplaces to function efficiently without fans, resulting in a more peaceful and genuine heating sensation.

This material is also beneficial for outdoor fireplaces. Cast iron stands out as a premier cooking material. It absorbs and retains heat exceptionally well.

Global design, local expertise

What started as a small company selling wood fires has evolved into a respected importer and distributor of premium home heating products across Australia. With its relationships with leading global manufacturers, Castworks has decades of experience for architects and homeowners alike to draw from, with the certainty that every product imported into Australia meets local testing and certification requirements.

For more information

If you can’t find what you are looking for visit us at www.castworks.com.au we have established strong partnerships with renowned global manufacturers from Denmark, Austria, Spain and Portugal. These collaborations, combined with our local expertise, allow us to offer a diverse range of high-quality heating solutions.

The post Crafting Exceptional Fireside Moments appeared first on Completehome.