Although most homes in the UK use radiators, alongside fireplaces and stoves, as the primary form of heating, some would rather have their heating come from underneath the floorboards or tiling.
That luxurious feel of underfloor heating has grown in popularity, but how much does it actually cost?
We’ll take a look at the installation, running costs and other key factors of underfloor heating that you need to know.
Disclaimer
We’ll start with a quick disclaimer. This article will not give you a precise figure on exactly how much underfloor heating will cost for your house. As you know, each home is different in size, layout, and building type, so there is no single answer that would be right for all of our readers.
The numbers throughout this article will be based on averages and assumptions about people’s homes and how warm they like them to be.
Factors to consider when figuring out the price for underfloor heating:
- House size
- Building efficiency rating
- Current fuel costs
- Installation costs (possible issues etc.)
This article will only provide an idea of how much underfloor heating costs in an average home, based on 2022 prices.
Table of Contents
How Much does Underfloor Heating Cost in the UK?
First, it’s important to understand that there are two key types of underfloor heating; electric underfloor and water underfloor.
Both have pros, cons and considerations and we’ll break down each below.
Electric Underfloor Heating:
What is electric underfloor heating?
The first type of underfloor heating is electric.
In essence, under the floor, wires will become incredibly hot. These hot wires then heat up the floor surface. Usually, the electric heating is plugged into the mains electricity.
Electric underfloor heating installation cost
Enough 150w wiring to cover 20 square metres will cost approximately £540. However, to operate this new heating system, you will also need a thermostat.
In some cases, you may also need to buy flexible adhesive (for about £10), so the wires don’t cause the floor to wobble, or new tiles, which for a room that size, usually costs around £700.
In total, a 20 square metre room will cost £1280 to install electric underfloor heating.
Running costs of electric underfloor heating
Let’s assume you have the heating running 24 hours a day (which you may do in the winter). 150 watts over 24 hours gives you 3.6kwHs.
At the time of writing, 1 kWh costs approximately 19.8p, so the total cost of having your underfloor heating running for 24 hours is about £71.
How to save money on electric underfloor heating
As with any energy concern, your first consideration should always be the current energy efficiency level within the home. By increasing efficiency, you’ll maximise your returns on any new heating system.
Beyond that, choosing flooring more appropriate and heat-friendly will help radiate heat throughout the room.
Water Underfloor Heating:
What is water underfloor heating?
Water underfloor heating, also known as wet underfloor heating, uses the same methods as a radiator to heat a room. A central boiler will heat a vat of water, which travels throughout the home via a network of pipes. Some systems even allow for a smart thermometer to control each rooms temperature individually.
Underfloor water heating installation costs
The cost of the pipes for a 20m square room will be approximately £150. Additional items such as thermometers and labour bring the total closer to between £200-300.
You’ll also need to purchase a wiring centre and manifold to control each room individually.
However, at the basic rate, underfloor water heating will cost approximately £900 to install.
Underfloor water heating running costs
An average 24KW boiler will use 24KW an hour. With a boiler costing 3.8p per kWh of heat generated, using electric underfloor heating for 24 hours straight will raise your gas bill by approximately £90.
How to save money on underfloor water heating
Like with electricity, we recommend looking around for the cheapest deals. This goes for both the piping and the professionals you should hire.
We can also recommend ensuring your home is properly insulated so you will not need to have the pipes at such a high temperature.
Factors to Consider when Buying Underfloor Heating (Electric or Water)
Size of location
Naturally those wanting to heat a 5 bed detached home can expect to pay more than those with a small terraced home, or those heating a small number of rooms as opposed to the entire house.
Gas/Electricity prices
The prices mentioned are from 2022; if current predictions are anything to go by, gas prices are expected to rise in the upcoming months. When figuring out how much you can expect to pay, look at your current gas and electric bills alongside upcoming predictions.
Installation costs
We highly recommend hiring a professional to install your underfloor heating for your safety, especially if this is your first time. It will cost more, but attempting self-installation can be dangerous if you are neither a trained plumber nor an electrician depending on the option you choose.
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Electric underfloor heating is cheaper to install but more expensive to run over the longterm, and wet underfloor heating is the reverse meaning it represents a better choice over a longer period of time.
We hope this helps, and for everything else home heating stick with CosyWarmer.com