There’s nothing quite like walking over a warm floor in a room that feels toasty and cosy throughout. For that reason, underfloor heating very much feels like a luxury item, so many people assume it comes with a hefty price tag. In reality, underfloor heating is probably cheaper than you think.
There are now many systems available, including, wet, dry and retrofit, and it is possible to find an underfloor heating system to suit most budgets. Once you’ve made the initial investment, you can take advantage of the benefits of underfloor heating for many years to come.
Cost of underfloor heating
The exact figure will always depend on the system you use, how big an area you want to heat, how many different zones you want and so on. As an indication, you’re probably looking at around £2,100 to have underfloor heating fitted in a three-bedroom property. This is substantially cheaper than modern central heating systems.
It can even be fitted to your current boiler to be used as the primary source of heat in a home, or in combination with radiators.
In some existing properties, you may need to have the sub-floor dug lower down, unless you opt for a retro-fit underfloor heating system.
It also depends on the brand you choose and we always advise opting for a reputable, reliable brand. Quality products and expert installation will undoubtedly save you money in the long term.
Cost benefits of underfloor heating
The cost benefits of underfloor heating don’t end once it’s installed. It will continue to offer value for money in a number of ways:
Cheaper to run – Underfloor heating works on radiant heat which is more energy efficient than convection heating. Over time, the cost of installation and the kit itself will be offset by the savings you make on your heating bills. If you’re using a wet system, the water circulating under the floor can heat the room at a much lower temperature and therefore requires a lot less energy to heat the space. This means your energy bills will be lower.
Depending on the source of energy used to the heat the system, a wet underfloor heating system can cost 20% less to run than a traditional radiator system.
Long-term investment – There is no doubt that underfloor heating represents a long-term investment in your property and can add value to it. If you fit it with sub-floor insulation, as well as a high standard of insulation throughout the home, this will increase the Energy Performance Certificate rating of the property. This certifies that it is cheaper to heat and much more efficient – qualities which can be attractive to potential buyers, especially if they are deciding between yours and a similarly-priced property.
Virtually maintenance free – If installed correctly, there is little that can go wrong with underfloor heating, saving you lots of time and hassle throughout its lifetime. This means no annual servicing, no bleeding the system because air has become trapped inside, no changing of rusty radiators and so on. A few system checks now and again is all that is required.
Underfloor heating is one of the easiest heating systems to install. While it might be wise to seek professional help on choosing or designing a system that’s tailored to your home, you can easily do it yourself with our underfloor heating kits.
Our specialist advisors at Underfloor Heating Supply have more than 20 years of experience in the industry and are ready to help should you need an underfloor heating quote for your home.