Underfloor heating costs and installation

The amount you will pay for underfloor heating varies dramatically depending on the type of system you choose and how you have it installed. 

We consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) to understand the average underfloor heating installation cost. 

We also asked Which? members who have underfloor heating to tell us how its running costs have affected their energy bills.

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Underfloor heating installation cost

There are two types of underfloor heating: electric underfloor heating (which is cheaper to buy and install but expensive to run); and water underfloor heating (more expensive to install but cheaper to run).

Our prices include the cost of buying and installing a standard underfloor heating system complete with levelling screed but excluding floor finishes.

Electric underfloor heating installation cost

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Water underfloor heating installation cost

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 Electric underfloor heating is generally slightly cheaper to install than water underfloor heating. 

This is because it is easier to install - it doesn't require any plumbing. Competent DIYers may even choose to install electric underfloor heating themselves. 

How long does it take to install underfloor heating?

The amount of time it takes to underfloor heating depends a lot on the system you choose, the amount of rooms in which you have it installed, and whether or not you are undergoing works on your house. 

Electric underfloor heating can be retrofitted (i.e., without tearing up the floor). You can have this done within a day if it is installed in just one room. However, it will take longer if you have it in more rooms.

People normally choose to have water underfloor heating fitted during a renovation, when they are redoing their floors. In this case, it takes between 3-5 days to fit the heating (plus time to reinstall the floor). 

However, if you want to rip up and reinstall your floor just for the heating, it will take longer - potentially up to a week. 

How the costs are calculated 

The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database analyses price data from a variety of sources. 

Materials costs are based on the best trade prices from a range of suppliers across the UK, which are then benchmarked to reveal the best national average.  

Labour rates are based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement. 

All of this data is put into a standardised model of an average electric or wet underfloor heating system. The prices include everything to carry out the full installation, including labour, materials, any preliminary work, contractor overheads and profit and VAT.

Prices are correct as of November 2024. 

Read more about the pros and cons of underfloor heating in our guide

Underfloor heating running costs

The price of running your underfloor heating will vary significantly depending on factors such as the level of insulation in your home and the type of heating you have (more on this below). 

The prices below are a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. 

Electric underfloor heating running costs

In order to estimate the price of an electric underfloor heating system, multiply the cost of electricity by the amount of watts your system uses. 

Between 1 October and 31 December 2024, the electricity price cap is set at 24.5p per kWh. This means electricity costs approximately 0.0245p per kW. 

If you have a 150W system in an 10m2 room, then your system uses 1,500kW of electricity per hour. 

1,500kWW x 0.0245p = 36.75p per hour. 

Here are some example costs for an 150W electric underfloor heating using the above equation. 

Water underfloor heating running costs

It is much harder to estimate the running costs of a wet underfloor heating system because they take hot water from your boiler. 

However, they are significantly cheaper to run than electric floors. 

They also stay warmer for longer than electric heating systems, as the hot water remains in the pipes even after the system switches off. 

Based on estimates from underfloor heating manufacturers, we've calculated that the annual running costs for water underfloor heating for a 10m2 room are between £45 - £80. 

However, you will need to consult a professional to get a clear idea of what it will cost in your home. 

Learn more about how electric heating works in our guide to electric underfloor heating

Which? readers' underfloor heating costs

In May 2024, we asked Which? members with underfloor heating how much they spent on installation and running costs. 

Log in or join Which? to see how much Which? readers report spending. 

Is underfloor heating cheaper than radiators? 

Underfloor heating can be cheaper than radiators in the long-term. 

Electric underfloor heating is not generally cheaper than radiators to use or install within a single room (assuming you use a gas boiler to heat your radiators). Although electric underfloor heating is more effecient at heating a room, electricity is more expensive than gas. 

However, if you just want to heat a single room, and you can't zone your radiators to heat specific rooms, electric underfloor heating will be cheaper. 

Water underfloor heating is more efficient at heating a room, and as it runs on gas, this means it is cheaper than radiators to use. Some of our survey respondents told us that their underfloor heating is so effecient, it even heats other rooms in their house without underfloor heating. 

However, it is more expensive than radiators to install, so it is more expensive in the shorter term. 

Read our guide to water underfloor heating for the pros and cons of a wet system

Factors that affect the price of running and installing underfloor heating

As well as the type of heating you install, there are a number of other factors that can affect the cost of installing and running underfloor heating, which we've summarised below.

Insulation

It is really important to install insulation below your underfloor heating system in order to prevent the heat escaping down into the floor. 

It is more expensive to install high-quality insulation, but this will save you money in the long-term because your system will be more efficient – and therefore cheaper to run. 

Heating source

If you're getting a water system, it will need to be connected to whatever powers your central heating system (for example, a boiler). The cost of installation will likely be higher if this is far away from the room the underfloor heating is being installed in, or it's difficult to run pipes to it.

The efficiency of your heating source will also determine the cost of running your heating; a more efficient boiler will result in a cheaper underfloor heating system. 

Bear in mind that there is a chance that you will need adjustments made to your boiler or, in some cases, even need a brand new system if your current one is old and inefficient.

Multi-zone heating

The cost of underfloor heating could be higher if you want multi-zone heating – where the underfloor heating is zoned off to specific parts of a room, or is fitted in more than one room – as it will mean more pipework and thermostats.

These larger systems will also be more expensive to run. 

Also, if you're having water underfloor heating, keep in mind that the number of zones you have is likely to affect the size and cost of the manifold (the connection that links the water underfloor heating to your central heating system)

Floor structure

The more that needs doing to make your floor suitable, the more it will cost to install your underfloor heating. 

If you want to have heating installed in an older property, the floors will have to be removed and re-installed. In addition, the floor may have to be elevated to make room for the heating – make sure that you check if your ceilings are high enough to allow for this. 

It is much easier to install underfloor heating in a home as it is being built or refurbished. 

How to save money on your underfloor heating 

There are a few different ways you can save money on installing and running your underfloor heating. 

• Choose the right system: Opt for a water-based underfloor heating system if you have a new build or are doing extensive renovations, as they are more energy-efficient than electric systems for larger areas.
• Check your insulation: Ensure adequate insulation beneath the heating system to prevent heat loss, which improves efficiency and reduces energy costs.
• Use a smart thermostat: Invest in a programmable or smart thermostat to optimize heating schedules, reducing energy consumption when you're not home.
• Select energy-efficient flooring: Choose flooring materials that have good thermal conductivity, such as tiles or engineered wood, to enhance heat distribution and efficiency.
• Zoning: Install a zoning system to heat only the rooms you use, avoiding unnecessary heating in unoccupied spaces.
• Regular maintenance: Keep the heating system well-maintained to ensure it operates efficiently, potentially avoiding costly repairs or replacements down the line.
• Check for grants or incentives: Research any local government grants or incentives for energy-efficient heating solutions, which can offset initial costs.

Learn more about how electric heating works in our guide to electric underfloor heating

Installing underfloor heating yourself

You may be tempted to keep costs down by installing underfloor heating yourself. Whether this is a good idea depends on your DIY experience and the type of underfloor heating. Electric systems are fairly straightforward to lay for confident DIY-ers (though you'll need an qualified electrician to wire the system up to your electricity supply). Water systems are complicated, though, so we'd recommend using a professional.  

Regardless of the type of system you're thinking of, we'd suggest getting a professional in to look at the floor type and assess what's needed to make it level and insulated, before going ahead. This should ensure you have the right heating system for your needs.

If you do install underfloor heating yourself, make sure you get clear installation instructions from the company you're buying it from, and follow them closely. That way you're less likely to damage the system. And test it thoroughly to make sure it's working properly before you lay the flooring over the top. 

Where to buy underfloor heating

If you're having underfloor heating professionally installed, the trader may take the lead on sourcing and supplying the equipment required. If you're installing it yourself, or buying your own kit for a professional to install, there are a number of retailers that sell underfloor heating, including both specialist heating stores and plumbing and DIY stores. 

Remember that prices will vary depending on your home's existing insulation, the type and size of room, how much work needs to be done to prepare the floor, and the flooring you'll be laying on top.

Below are some popular retailers that stock underfloor heating: 

• Amazon - Sells a variety of underfloor heating products, including kits for electric and water systems, electric underfloor hearing mats, and thermostats.
• Screwfix - Offers a selection of water and electric underfloor heating equipment, plus thermostats and insulation boards.
• The Underfloor Heating Store - This underfloor heating specialist sells a wide range of electric and water systems, thermostats and insulation boards.
• Toolstation - Sells a selection of wet and electric underfloor heating equipment.
• Topps Tiles - Offers electric underfloor heating and thermostats designed primarily for use under tiled floors.
• Victorian Plumbing - Its range mainly comprises electric underfloor heating and thermostats.
• Wickes - Stocks electric underfloor heating wires and mats, primarily from manufacturer ProWarm, plus insulation.