Electric Underfloor Heating

Why Electric Underfloor Heating?

Electric underfloor heating (UFH) delivers even, comfortable warmth from the floor up — no radiators, no cold spots, no wasted wall space. For bathrooms and kitchens especially, stepping onto a warm floor on a winter morning is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade that adds value to your home.

Electric UFH systems are significantly simpler and cheaper to install than water-based (hydronic) alternatives. They sit within or just below your floor finish, adding as little as 3mm to floor height, and each room has its own thermostat for independent temperature control.

Types of Electric Underfloor Heating

Heating Mats

Pre-spaced heating cable bonded to a fibreglass mesh mat. Mats roll out directly onto the subfloor and are ideal for regular-shaped rooms. They're the fastest to install and the most popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens. Power output is typically 150–200 watts per square metre.

Loose Cable

Individual heating cable that's laid manually in a serpentine pattern and secured with clips or adhesive. Loose cable suits irregular-shaped rooms, around obstacles, and for larger areas. It gives the installer more control over spacing and heat output but takes longer to install than mats.

Foil Heating Systems

Ultra-thin aluminium foil with embedded heating elements. Designed specifically for use under laminate and engineered wood flooring where minimal height build-up is essential. Foil systems add just 1.5mm and can be installed directly under the floor finish without self-levelling compound.

Room Suitability

Bathrooms

The most popular room for UFH. Tile and stone floors conduct heat efficiently, and the combination of warm tiles underfoot plus elimination of radiators in a small room is compelling. Bathroom UFH systems are waterproof and fully compatible with wet room installations.

Kitchens

Kitchen UFH works brilliantly under tile, stone, LVT, and vinyl flooring. It frees up wall space that would otherwise be occupied by radiators — valuable in kitchens where every centimetre of worktop and storage matters.

Living Areas

UFH can heat entire living rooms and bedrooms, though running costs are higher than in smaller rooms. Best used with well-insulated floors and energy-efficient thermostats. Under carpet, a higher-wattage system is needed to compensate for carpet's insulating effect.

Running Costs

Electric UFH costs approximately 4–6p per hour for a typical bathroom (4m²) and 10–15p per hour for a kitchen (10m²) at current electricity rates. Using a programmable thermostat to heat the floor only when you need it — mornings and evenings — keeps monthly costs manageable. A typical bathroom runs at around £8–£12 per month in winter.

Installation Process

1. Site survey — measure the room, identify the optimal thermostat location, check the consumer unit capacity
2. Subfloor preparation — lay insulation boards (optional but recommended for energy efficiency)
3. Mat or cable installation — roll out mats or lay loose cable in the calculated pattern
4. Resistance testing — verify the heating element is undamaged before covering
5. Floor finish installation — tile, stone, LVT, or laminate laid over the heating system
6. Thermostat wiring — connect the thermostat (with floor and air sensors) to the consumer unit via a dedicated circuit
7. Testing and commissioning — verify correct operation, programme schedules, issue certificate

Costs

• Bathroom (4m²): £300–£500 supply and install
• Kitchen (10m²): £500–£900 supply and install
• Living room (20m²): £800–£1,400 supply and install
• Thermostat: £80–£200 depending on model (WiFi/touchscreen models at the higher end)

All prices include supply of the heating system, installation, thermostat, electrical connection to the consumer unit, and certification.

Considering underfloor heating? Get a free quote — we install all major brands including Warmup, Thermogroup, and ProWarm.