The tangible benefits of underfloor heating for homeowners are not difficult to discover.
Transforming the entire surface area of your room’s floor into a giant radiator, underfloor heating supplies direct and continuous warmth without leaving cold patches.
Considered the gold standard for heating systems in luxury homes, it also has benefits for those with a green mindset. Compatible with a wide range of renewable technology like heat pumps and solar panels, the energy efficiency of underfloor heating also results in less energy use and lower carbon emissions for your home.
While underfloor heating might often be mentioned in the listings of high-value homes, the economic advantages that it offers mean it can benefit property owners on a range of budgets. As systems are designed to work more efficiently than traditional radiator-based central heating, they are often less expensive to run, which can add up to substantial annual savings for users.
Factors impacting underfloor heating cost - an overview
Just how much underfloor heating costs in 2024 is a complex topic that involves multiple factors.
UK homeowners will find that the cost of their underfloor heating project will depend greatly on the scale of their endeavour. For instance, it will always be more affordable to kit out one room with underfloor heating than a whole house.
The type of project will also impact costs. Customers might be retrofitting underfloor heating as part of a home renovation project or adding an underfloor heating system during the construction phase of a new build development.
The underfloor heating system selected is also a factor. Various kinds of equipment and the brands that make them are priced differently. Water-based and electric underfloor heating are the two main categories available, but within these broader terms, you’ll find different options. For example, electric underfloor heating can involve pre-wired mats or a loose cable, while wet systems may involve multiple zones that let you control the heat in each room independently.
How complex the system is to install is also important. While a simple underfloor heating system may allow much of the work to be carried out by a competent DIY enthusiast, other solutions will need skilled installers to perform the project.
Regardless of the abilities of a homeowner, a qualified gas safe electrician should be called upon to connect systems to the home energy supply.
Once systems are installed, the cost of underfloor heating in the UK is also based on usage. For example, residents that work from or spend more time at home will use more heating than others, and properties of a larger size will consume more energy when using their underfloor heating.
Other factors can impact how expensive underfloor heating is to run, like how well a property is insulated. It is also crucial that the underfloor heating equipment is insulated as well, to get the most out of the heat it produces.
Finally, the choice of floor coverings used in homes can also affect costs. The most expensive part of an underfloor heating cycle is the warm-up phase. As a result, floor that heats up quickly and retains heat involves shorter warm-up times. While natural stone and ceramic flooring warms up fast and holds on to heat for longer, carpeted flooring and engineered wood are not as effective, and can increase running costs.
Maintenance is the last factor to consider, and is directly related to the system you select. Electric systems involve little to no annual maintenance, while a plumbed wet system will need periodic checks to ensure it is operating correctly.
Underfloor heating costs - in brief
Given the multiple considerations listed above, the cost of underfloor heating will vary wildly from project to project.
Based on an average hourly contract rate of £30 and a home that is 60m2, we compared the prices of renovation projects (retrofits) to new build projects for both electric and water-based underfloor heating. Figures are estimates, and include equipment and labour.
To add electric underfloor heating in a retro fit typically costs around £4,000 to £4,500, while installing it in a new build property costs about £2.300 to £2,600. Fitting a water-based system in a renovated home costs between £10,000 to £11,000, and in a new-build around £5,500 to £6,500.
You can see that it is always less expensive to fit electric underfloor heating than a wet system, and costs less to install underfloor heating in a new build home than as part of a renovation project. Electric underfloor heating equipment cost significantly less than hydronic underfloor heating equipment, and takes less time to install, reducing labour costs.
Fitting underfloor heating as part of a larger project like a new build allows materials and labour to be costed into the total budget, reducing the price of both. Adding underfloor heating in a new build is also less complex as it is planned for, making installations quicker and simple to complete.
While wet underfloor heating is more expensive to fit, it compensates by offering even higher energy savings for homeowners in the long-term.
Costs for underfloor heating in new build homes
Today, new build projects often favour wet underfloor heating. It is easy and inexpensive to install, and can fit into the building schedule neatly. Ground floors are usually constructed using a floor screed, and underfloor heating equipment is added at this stage. As no residents are present, installation can be quick, keeping costs lower.
Hydronic (wet) underfloor heating is extremely efficient and cost-effective to run. It can offer around 25 per cent more efficiency compared to traditional radiator-based system running on even a modern condensing boiler. As heat is emitted from the underfloor system, the warmth is distributed evenly, and uses water at a far lower operating temperature than a conventional central heating system. However, this efficiency can be even greater when underfloor heating in a new build is paired with an air or ground source heat pump instead of a gas boiler (up to 40 per cent).
Underfloor heating costs for retrofit projects
The cost of installing underfloor heating as part of a renovation project is often higher because more components are necessary, like pre-routed panels, specialist insulation and self-levelling compound.
Slimline wet systems are available to use in retrofit project, but electric underfloor heating is selected most often, for its ease and lower costs.
However, because electricity is more expensive than gas, it can make underfloor heating systems that use it more expensive to run.
It’s usually easier to install electric systems as they involve less components that require fitting by qualified engineers. As a result, the short-term costs of electric underfloor heating can be much lower than a plumbed wet system.
The long-term costs involved in water-based underfloor heating are overall much lower than running an electric underfloor heating system. Consequently, its exceptionally rare for an electric underfloor heating system to be used in larger projects, but it is a popular choice for smaller endeavours, like renovations in kitchens and bathrooms.
Understanding underfloor heating installation costs
After you have purchased all the components required for an underfloor heating solution, you must consider the costs involved in having the underfloor heating system installed by a certified heating or/and plumbing engineer.
This can be a tricky cost to estimate, as multiple factors can affect how much you will be charged. These include which part of the UK you are having the underfloor heating installed and project size. Every engineer, plumber or electrician will have their own rate, but you can shop around by comparing contractors online and requesting quotes.
In more straightforward or smaller projects, you may find that installing the underfloor heating system largely yourself can be an option. However, you will still require a qualified plumber for wet installation to set up the underfloor heating manifold, and then commission the system. A certified electrician is also necessary for cable testing, as well as wiring the thermostats in an electric underfloor heating installation.
You can still shave your total cost considerably by purchasing and deploying as much of the equipment as possible. Wet underfloor pipe loops can be laid for wet systems ready for a qualified contractor to connect them. Easy-to-use electric underfloor heating systems are available as pre-wired mats that connect to each other and are very quick to fit. Their standard dimensions make them ideal for regular-shaped rooms, but for irregular spaces, a loose cable system is also available.
Expert assistance with underfloor heating to support your project
With more than two decades in the underfloor heating industry, at FastWarm, we have amassed a comprehensive understanding of all types of systems, the best brands that produce them and what’s involved in installations.
As the only direct from manufacturer to customer retailer online in the UK, we can ensure that you never pay more than necessary for your underfloor heating system, and ensure you get the highest quality products for your investment.
To reduce your project costs, we also provide a bespoke underfloor heating design service for free. Our expert team can also supply quotes and CAD drawings based on your plans in only four hours when you have a deadline to meet.
You might be a talented DIY enthusiast fitting an electric underfloor heating system in a renovation project, or a trader sourcing equipment for a new build development at competitive costs, but regardless, you can count on us for support.
Reach out to our technical sales team at FastWarm today to tell us about your project. You can ask us any questions you need answers to, before selecting the ideal underfloor heating system for your needs.
