How much does underfloor heating cost in the UK?

There are two types: wet (hydronic) underfloor heating, which circulates warm water through pipes, and electric (mat or cable), which uses resistance heating elements. Wet systems cost more to install but are cheaper to run; electric systems are cheaper to install but more expensive to operate.

Electric underfloor heating costs £50–£100 per square metre installed — including the heating mat or cable and a new thermostat. A typical bathroom (5–6m²) costs £300–£600. It is often DIY-friendly if you are comfortable with basic electrical work, though a Part P-registered electrician should sign off the final connection.

Wet underfloor heating costs £80–£150 per square metre installed for a new build or full renovation where the floor is being opened up. Retrofitting into an existing floor with minimal disruption (using low-profile systems) costs £100–£180/m². A typical lounge (20m²) costs £2,000–£3,500 installed.

For wet systems, a manifold distributes water from the boiler to each heating zone. The manifold and pump add £300–£600 to the cost. The system connects to your existing boiler — check that your boiler has sufficient output for the extra demand.

Running costs: electric underfloor heating costs roughly 10–18p per kWh to run (at typical UK electricity rates), making it expensive as a primary heat source in large areas. Wet underfloor heating running from a gas boiler costs 3–4p/kWh equivalent — significantly cheaper.

Underfloor heating works best with heat pumps, which operate at lower flow temperatures ideally suited to UFH. If you are considering a heat pump, installing underfloor heating at the same time is strongly recommended.