Underfloor Heating Cost

Modern Underfloor heating is the cheapest and most efficient form of heating available. Underfloor heating costs can be broken down into three parts, purchase cost, installation cost, and running costs.

The purchase cost of underfloor heating has dropped considerably over the last few years. Today’s electric underfloor heating is extremely affordable. When comparing the cost of a modern central heating boiler, pipework, radiators, and specialist fitters required to install a central heating system for a standard home. A Living Heat electric underfloor heating system is cheaper every time.

Electric underfloor heating systems require no specialist labour, tools, or materials to install. The only qualified person required will be an electrician to make the final connections to the main power. Due to the ease and speed of electric underfloor heating, it offers a great saving in cost, in comparison to conventional central heating systems. The installation of a typical Central heating system can vary greatly, In general, the labour cost is high as specialist labour is required to work with all boilers, for both gas and oil as well as electrical connections. The installation of pipe work and the need for an annual service are also expenses that all electric underfloor heating systems are not affected by.

Underfloor heating is the cheapest and most efficient way to heat a room, especially in large areas with high ceilings. The floor warming is only gentle but over a large area, the heating system is not having to work as hard to heat the room. The floor is also the warmest area with the ceiling being the coldest area so the heat is where it needs to be and not being wasted up at ceiling level.

Typical central heating systems rely on radiators to heat areas, Radiators can only spread their heat from a relatively small surface area in comparison to underfloor heating systems so have to reach a far greater temperature to effectively heat a room. This is especially true in a large room with high ceilings or poor insulation. Because the heat from a radiator rises directly upward from the radiator toward the ceiling and then slowly works its way via convection current around the room and then back towards the radiator the heat is not spread evenly around the room creating an inefficient heating system in comparison to underfloor heating systems.

Underfloor heating has been used since roman times to heat commercial and domestic buildings, Today’s modern systems provide unquestionably the most reliable, luxurious, and cost-effective heating for both domestic and commercial buildings. Whether for use as the primary heat source or simple floor warming, Living Heat Ltd provides several different Underfloor Heating systems for use under virtually any floor covering. Providing exact installation and running costs for each system will greatly depend upon the system installed, insulation used, floor covering fitted along with other variables, To try and provide a general guide on the running and installation costs we feel it more appropriate to do this in comparison to gas central heating and water underfloor heating, rather than providing an unrealistic or specific monetary cost.

Electric Underfloor Heating, (UFH) Verses Gas Central Heating, (GSH).

GSH is currently the most widely used type of domestic heating found throughout the UK. Very popular due to the relatively cheap price of gas over the last 2 decades, it is often taken as a given that this type of heating is the only viable option for domestic households and small commercial units. Assuming a mains gas line is available. Today however with the ever-rocketing price of gas alternatives to GSH is being sought out. Underfloor heating is the number one alternative to GSH and is quickly becoming the must-have primary heating for large numbers of domestic and commercial properties within the UK and further afield. The main advantages of UFH over GSH are;

Space: No radiators = more useable space in rooms.

Warmth: UFH works over a large area providing a gentle even heat. This means no cold spots in a room as the whole room is heated not just areas close to the radiator.

Efficiency: The heat is where it should be at a low level with the floor being the hottest place. Radiators heat the unusable ceiling space first with the floor being the coldest place. If your feet are warm then your body will also be warm.

Health: Radiators create convection currents that move dust up and around the room. UFH does not create the same problem so is a great advantage, especially for those suffering from particular respiratory problems such as asthma.

Maintenance: Electric Underfloor Heating requires no maintenance once fitted, there is no yearly servicing and most systems are backed up with a lifetime warranty.

Reliability: Once installed the Underfloor heating has no moving parts, is protected by the floor covering, and most systems are backed up with a lifetime warranty. GSH requires a very technical boiler and is made up of multiple items. Although many GSH are covered with expensive service plans even these cover plans do not provide a lifetime of hassle-free heating included in the purchase cost.

Desirability: Underfloor heating is the new must-have heating in modern and refurbished homes. Once used often it’s a case of out with the old GSH and in with the new UFH. Large boxy unsightly radiators are becoming a thing of the past. Like the old economy 7 systems, time is ticking on the continued dominance of GSH as the chosen home heating.

Cost: Living Heat underfloor heating is cheaper to buy, install and maintain making it the cheapest heating to run when compared to GSH.

Response Rate: Electric Underfloor Heating when installed with suitable insulation can provide a rapid response heating system heating the floor and room in minutes much like gas central heating. Water underfloor heating is very unresponsive heating as it takes several hours to reach temperature and is designed to be left on at a set temperature once on.

Installation cost Electric Underfloor Heating is very cheap to install with no specialist labour or tools required other than an electrician to make the final electrical connections it is also suitable for use directly under virtually any floor covering, (assuming the correct system is installed). making it suitable for renovation projects. When using water underfloor heating the depth and weight of the screed must be considered/accommodated. Water underfloor heating is much more labour and material intensive as specialist tools and labour are required to install the several different stages of the heating such as insulations, pipes, concrete screeds, manifolds, electrics, and boiler which could be gas, electric, or oil fuelled.

Running cost: Electric and Water Underfloor Heating comes in several different forms and systems so a direct comparison is virtually impossible. Both systems however are suitable for use as primary heat sources or simple floor warming and when installed with sufficient insulation can be run very economically. If would like an approximate running cost based on your requirements please feel free to contact the Living Heat Technical Department where an engineer will be happy to provide you with further information based on your project.

Maintenance: Electric Underfloor Heating requires no maintenance once fitted, there is no yearly servicing and most systems are backed up with a lifetime warranty. Water underfloor heating depends upon the boiler and power source but typically this would require yearly servicing/maintenance.

Cost: Electric Underfloor Heating is cheaper to purchase, cheaper to fit, and comparable in running cost when compared to water underfloor heating.