Are you trying to get a better idea of underfloor heating costs for your home or renovation project?
If you’re thinking about investing in underfloor heating for your home, and like the sound of having no radiators, you’re probably wondering if it’s going to be a realistic option for you. The only thing is, underfloor heating can be notoriously expensive.
There are also so many factors to think about that can affect the overall price you pay. It can actually turn into a bit of a minefield, especially if you’re trying to get an idea of prices online!
Below, I’m going to use my expertise as an experienced heating engineer to shed a bit more light on the subject.
The average cost of underfloor heating
Now, as I mentioned above, this can be a very tricky one. There are simply so many factors to take into account (most of them I’m going to mention below) that I can’t even begin to tell you how much it’ll cost without looking at your property and clearly defining your needs.
However, what I can do is give you a very broad range for a couple of different scenarios:
Example 1: A 16sq. metre extension
Many of my customers tend to choose underfloor heating for extensions, as it will involve lifting all your flooring. We’ve recently installed underfloor heating in a few extensions, and the price you can expect to pay for 16sq. metres of flooring is; £1,200 – £1,500.
Example 2: A whole-house underfloor heating system (minus boiler)
If you’re considering installing underfloor heating systems in a new build, or are about to undertake serious renovation work, a whole-house underfloor heating system (minus the boiler) will set you back on average around £5,000 – £6,000. This tends to be more cost-effective overall than simply installing underfloor heating in one area (for example, an extension).
Example 3: A whole-house underfloor heating system with boiler
If you’re looking to install underfloor heating, with a new boiler to heat it, you can expect to pay more again. On average, you can expect to pay around £7,500 – £8,500.
Factors that can affect underfloor heating costs
Below, I’m going to outline some of the biggest factors that can affect underfloor heating costs. Hopefully this should give you a better idea of things to consider before requesting an installation:
1. Concrete screed or suspended floor
These are your two main options when looking to install underfloor heating. Installing your underfloor heating under a concrete screed is your most cost-effective option, and involves installing the pipework, stapling them into the insulation (or fitting underfloor heating trays for the pipes to be fitted into), before laying a concrete screed over the top.
Alternatively, a suspended floor is a little more complicated (and costly). It will involve installing thick insulation underneath the floor, fitting trays between the joists that the underfloor pipes are fitted into. This is so the heat reflects up from the tray into the room and the insulation stops leakage below to the cold solum of the house.
2. The size of the area
The size of the area you wish to install underfloor heating can also make a big difference. For instance, for three separate bedrooms, you’d have individual zones. Which will mean three separate thermostats. However, for a large area, such as an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, You may have three separate zones, however due to the large surface area you’d perhaps require six manifolds running pipework to heat the area.
So, large areas might require multiple separate sections and manifolds. Unfortunately, large areas cost more because you’re adding more manifolds to the system.
3. Number of zones
Every single room that you choose to install underfloor heating should have a room thermostat to control that room. This is because north-facing rooms tend to get colder than others. So, another factor to take into consideration is the number of zones. The more zones you have, the more room thermostats and actuator heads on the manifolds.
4. Your flooring options
You also have to take into account the cost of screeding, then laying your flooring or tiling. For instance, you may decide to opt for wooden floors or laminate in some rooms, whereas for your bathroom you’d prefer to have tiling.
5. Experience of your contractor
Not everyone thinks about this one, but it’s still important. Underfloor heating tends to be a very niche market, so it’s always better to pay a little more for an experienced contractor. This is because if you were to get it wrong, it can be a very expensive mistake! (As it’s laid under concrete)
It’s for this reason that many contractors simply won’t consider undertaking the work. We often get calls where customers have told us they’ve called a dozen people, yet have only been able to get one or two quotes.
6. Additional towel rails
Finally, it’s all very well having underfloor heating installed in your bathrooms, but what will happen when you have damp towels? This is why I always recommend fitting additional towel rails within your bathrooms, as there’s nothing worse than having to use damp towels in the morning!
You may also wish to install a radiator or two elsewhere, such as in a utility room where you have clothes drying.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
Remember, get a few quotes, but always go with a company who has plenty of experience installing underfloor heating. It can be expensive, but paying a little more for the best possible workmanship will definitely be worth it.
Because underfloor heating needs to be installed correctly first time round, your chosen engineer should always pressure test the system before laying the concrete screed. Otherwise, if something has gone wrong, it can be very expensive to put right!
TIP: Check out my blog post ‘5 Things You Should Know About Underfloor Heating’ for more information.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading. By now you should have a very rough idea of underfloor heating costs – I’m sorry I couldn’t be more specific. However, if you have any more specific questions, or need help determining costs for your own property, feel free to get in touch with me directly.
Alternatively, you can leave a comment below.
