The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) reviewed its guidance on underfloor heating in November 2025, publishing installation cost figures drawn from the trade directory Checkatrade1. The advice covers wet and electric systems, the floor types each suits, and how running costs differ by fuel.
CSE states that a dry electric system is cheaper to install, at an estimated £60-85 per square metre, while a wet system costs between £90-110 per square metre, with possible extra labour costs because it is more complicated to install1. The guidance notes that although wet systems are more expensive to install, they tend to have lower running costs, and that electricity is considerably more expensive as a heating fuel than gas, so electric systems are likely to cost more to run1.
"Underfloor heating is expensive and disruptive to retrofit. It’s usually only a good option if you are already undertaking significant building work."
Wet systems circulate heated water through reinforced polythene piping, usually with separate circuits per room or area, each connecting to a manifold with regulating valves and a thermostat1. CSE describes three wet installation types: solid floors, built into concrete or screed and common in new builds or large refurbishments; suspended timber floors, where pipes run between joists and adequate insulation below is important to avoid heat loss; and floating floors, the quickest to install, laid on top of an existing floor, which can significantly raise the floor level1.
| System | Installation cost | Running cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dry electric | £60-85 per square metre | Generally more expensive to run |
| Wet (hydronic) | £90-110 per square metre, plus possible extra labour | Tend to have lower running costs |
CSE says wet systems can run from a mains gas boiler or a heat pump, with oil or solid fuel boilers also possible if checked for compatibility with the lower temperatures underfloor heating needs1. It states that air or ground source heat pumps are particularly effective with wet underfloor heating, and that solar panels could power a dry electric system1. Wet systems generally take much longer to heat up and cool down than traditional radiators, and CSE advises they are best left on a low temperature for longer periods, suiting homes where people are in most of the day1. It adds that insulation and draught-proofing are critical for the system to provide adequate heat and be cost-effective1.
Why it matters for households
Underfloor heating can run from most heating fuels, so it is an option for most homes, but the choice between wet and electric shapes both the upfront bill and the running cost1. A wet system paired with a heat pump or a gas boiler uses the same fuel as an existing boilers and heating setup, whereas an electric system depends entirely on electricity, the more expensive heating fuel1. For a household weighing home heating and energy independence, the guidance points to a system that can be powered by a heat pump or by solar panels, with a battery storing excess solar electricity to run it in the evening1. The retrofit warning is the main practical constraint: the cost and disruption are usually only justified where significant building work is already planned1.
What happens next
No further review date or next steps are given in the guidance beyond the November 2025 review date1.