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myUnderfloor Heating Cost
At a glance
- The average cost of installing underfloor heating is around £800
- The job will take approximately 1 - 2 days
- A full pricing breakdown which includes things to consider before starting and what such a task usually involves
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be done
- How to find and hire an underfloor heating specialist
Want to know how much underfloor heating costs?
You can pay anything from £800 to £7,700 for underfloor heating installation, depending on the size of the area and the type of underfloor heating supply you choose (wet or dry system).
So, what can you expect from this cost guide?
In this complete guide, we break down the costs for installing underfloor heating in any room of the home by square metre for both underfloor heating electric and wet underfloor heating.
Need an underfloor heating quote?
We've got a range of local underfloor heating installers ready to give you a quote!
If you want to find out everything you need to know about underfloor heating prices - continue to the guide below!
£800
Table of Contents
How Much Does Underfloor Heating Cost?
Underfloor heating is becoming a popular alternative to conventional radiators, especially so in luxury bathroom renovations, but also popular in many new build houses or extensions as the primary source of central heating.
Why is underfloor heating becoming so popular?
Underfloor heating can be installed under almost any type of floor including stone, wood, tiles and even carpets. There are two different types of underfloor heating, electric (dry system) and water (wet system).
Let's have a look at the two different system in detail:
Electric Underfloor Heating
Electric systems are cheaper as they are easier to install and can even be done as a DIY project, whereas the installation of a wet system is a lot more involved, so usually reserved for new build properties or as part of a larger renovation project.
So what is a dry system better for?
Electric systems are by far the better choice for retrofits to existing properties.
Water (Wet) Underfloor Heating
Wet floor systems are a lot more complicated to install and more materials are needed to complete. So it's an expensive and long process compared to electric underfloor heating.
If you are considering installing a wet underfloor system which will be connected to your central heating system, then you'll need to find a reliable and competent local plumber.
MyJobQuote.co.uk can help with a free service which matches jobs posted by homeowners with local tradesmen, including local plumbers.
All you need to do is list your job using a simple and short online form, then you can sit back and up to three local tradesmen will be in touch to offer advice and to arrange home visits so they can then provide written quotations.
What type of flooring does not go well with underfloor heating? And what are some well-suited options that I should consider?
"Stone or tile flooring works best, however there are many options, including Vinyl or wood!"
Underfloor Heating Prices
| Job Description | Cost per m2 |
|---|---|
| Electric underfloor heating in a new build | £40-£80 |
| Electric underfloor heating in an older home | £50-£90 |
| Water underfloor heating in a new build | £100-£140 |
| Water underfloor heating in an older home | £150-£190 |
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Additional Costs
Boiler Relocation
You may have to move your existing boiler to a different location for ease of access, especially if you're installing a wet system into your property.
If you need to relocate your boiler, you'll pay an additional £725 on average.
New Boiler
When installing underfloor heating you might need a new boiler fitted if your current one is old, out of date, or needs repairing.
This will cost around £2000 extra.
Cost to Move Radiator
If you're getting underfloor heating - radiators in that room will no longer be needed - and could be moved elsewhere.
The cost of moving a radiator is between £80-£120.
Cost to Remove Radiator
If you can't move your radiator in to another location, removing them entirely is an option too.
The cost of removing a radiator starts from £50-£80.
Underfloor Heating Things to Consider
Wet systems are only really suited to new-build homes or major refurbishments as they require extensive piping all around the house which has to be connected back to your central heating system.
All floors will need to be removed and the extensive labour involved will be very expensive. But when installed in a new build home, the labour cost for the installation is much less.
Electric underfloor heating running costs are higher than wet underfloor heating systems, but they are much cheaper to retrofit and they do still warm the floor giving a luxurious feel, but they are not so good at heating the entire room, especially if a bigger room, but are usually fine with smaller rooms such as a bathroom.
If you have an older house with larger rooms which already tends to get cold during the winter months, then electric underfloor heating may not be able to produce enough heat to make the rooms comfortable.
Wet underfloor heating systems have much more power as they are hooked up to existing boilers, so they can completely replace the radiators and still warm the rooms to a comfortable level.
Doing it Yourself
Wet underfloor heating systems are really not DIY friendly. Installing them will at the very least require some assistance from a plumber or heating engineer. With a system which is connected to your main boiler, it’s simply not worth chancing it and doing it on your own, so always consult a local heating engineer or underfloor heating company to advise you before taking on this job.
A survey carried out by a professional will help you select the best underfloor heating system and ensure your boiler can support the additional heating system. But DIY electric underfloor systems using heat mats are much simpler and cheaper to install.
You will still need an electrician to connect the power up to your heating system, but for a typical bathroom, the total cost for DIY electric underfloor heating can be under £500. For those who are very confident in their skills, there are also DIY wet underfloor heating kits.
These full kits include a pump, valves, thermostats and pipework to heat around 20 square metres. If you did most of the work DIY and just hired a plumber or heating engineer for the important bits, you could have a wet underfloor heating system in your bathroom for under £1000.
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Underfloor Heating Checklist
- Underfloor heating can be one of the most cost effective ways to heat your home.
- Electric underfloor heating mats are simple to DIY install.
- Underfloor heating can offer a space-saving alternative to radiators.
- Underfloor heating can take longer to heat up than conventional radiators.
FAQs
How does electric underfloor heating work?
Electric underfloor heating systems use a network of wires running in a mat which is fitted under the surface of the floor. They warm the floor but are not as good at heating the room, so are best installed in smaller rooms and are popular in bathrooms.
How does wet underfloor heating work?
Wet underfloor heating systems are much more difficult to install so are best suited to larger homes as they heat rooms very well. They use a network of pipes to run hot water from the boiler which then radiates heat through the floor and into the room space.
These wet underfloor systems are much more efficient than electric underfloor systems and can even be more efficient than conventional radiators.
These wet underfloor systems are much more efficient than electric underfloor systems and can even be more efficient than conventional radiators.
What are the downsides to underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating can take longer to heat up than radiators and in some cases, they won't be able to heat the room comfortably, which means you will still need radiators. In addition, underfloor heating can be pricey to install when retrofitted.
Can underfloor heating be used as a whole-house heating system?
Yes, in fact, this would offer a number of benefits including reduced energy consumption and more living space without radiators. In many cases, wet underfloor heating systems can be used as the primary source of heat as long as the rooms themselves are well insulated.
A heat loss calculation needs to be carried out to determine how much heating is needed and this is normally carried out by an architect or a heating engineer.
A heat loss calculation needs to be carried out to determine how much heating is needed and this is normally carried out by an architect or a heating engineer.
Is underfloor heating cheaper to run than radiators?
Yes, it can be, underfloor heating in some installations has proved to be up to 25% cheaper to run than radiators using a condensing boiler. But every installation is different so it is best to always get a professional survey done when considering underfloor heating systems.
Can I completely install electric underfloor heating by myself?
No, while most of the underfloor heating installation can be completed by a competent DIY enthusiast, the thermostats and other wiring require electrical work which needs to be completed by an electrician.
Sources
https://www.theunderfloorheatingstore.com/blogs/latest/why-the-popularity-of-underfloor-heating-is-increasing?_pos=18&_sid=a971504a7&_ss=r
https://www.johnguest.com/gb/en/products/jg-underfloor/ufh-explained
