DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Underfloor heating cost: wet vs electric systems UK
Underfloor heating is a lovely upgrade, but the cost depends heavily on which type you choose and whether it goes into a new build or a retrofit. Electric mats suit a single room, while a wet system is a bigger install better suited to whole floors. The real prices below come from actual prices so you can compare both routes fairly.
The quick version
- Electric underfloor heating is cheaper to install per room and suits small areas like bathrooms.
- A wet underfloor heating system costs more to fit but is usually cheaper to run over large areas.
- Retrofitting into an existing floor costs more than laying it during a new build or major renovation.
- Floor build-up, insulation and the finished flooring on top all influence the final price.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,100“just paid Wunda around £1100 for the components for our GF UFH. this includes a Grundfos pump station, 11 port manifold, perimeter insulation strip, pipe staples, around 1200m of 16mm pipe and the required isolation valves.”
- £1,100“pricing as above I did mine £1100 most my bits came from Outsourced Energy”
- £1,200“The UFH kit (pipes, manifolds, actuators, stats, control unit etc) came in at £1200 (supply only, we self-fitted). We did get a quote of £500 for someone else to fit it for us.”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The first fork in the road is wet versus electric. Electric mats are quick to lay and cheaper up front, which is why they are popular in bathrooms and small rooms, though they cost more to run. A wet system pipes warm water through the floor and links to your boiler or heat pump, so it is a larger job with more parts, but it is efficient across bigger areas. Retrofit or new build makes a big difference too, since lifting an existing floor and adding insulation is far more work than laying pipes into a fresh screed. The room size, the subfloor, and the flooring you finish with all move the number, and a national firm usually quotes above a local installer.
How to pay less
- Match the system to the job, using electric for a single small room and wet for a whole floor.
- Install underfloor heating during a renovation or new build rather than as a standalone retrofit.
- Get a few quotes and check each includes insulation, controls and any screed in the price.
- Pair a wet system with a heat pump or efficient boiler so the running costs stay low long term.
Common questions
Is wet or electric underfloor heating cheaper?
Electric underfloor heating is usually cheaper to install, especially in a single small room, but it costs more to run. A wet system costs more to fit yet is cheaper to run over larger areas. The real prices below show both so you can weigh up install cost against running cost.
Can underfloor heating be retrofitted?
Yes, but it costs more than fitting it during a build. Retrofitting means lifting the existing floor, adding insulation and laying the mats or pipes, then refinishing on top. If you are already renovating a room, that is the ideal time to add it and save on the disruption.
Does underfloor heating work with a heat pump?
Yes, and it is a strong pairing. A wet underfloor heating system runs at a lower temperature than radiators, which suits an air source heat pump and helps keep running costs down. If you are planning both, mention it early so the installer sizes the system to work together.