Underfloor Heating Cost in Cornwall: Wet vs Electric Prices in 2026

Underfloor Heating Cost at a Glance

In 2026, underfloor heating (UFH) in Cornwall typically costs £60–£90 per m² for a wet (water-based) system and £40–£70 per m² for an electric system, supplied and fitted. For a 25 m² kitchen-diner, that's roughly £1,500–£2,250 wet or £1,000–£1,750 electric. The right choice depends far more on the room, the floor build-up, and your heat source than on the headline price alone — this guide explains why.

Wet vs Electric: Cost Per m²

	Wet (water) UFH	Electric UFH
Supply & fit per m²	~£60–£90	~£40–£70
Best for	Whole-house, new builds, heat-pump homes	Single rooms, bathrooms, retrofits
Running cost	Low (esp. with a heat pump)	High (uses expensive grid electricity directly)
Floor build-up	Thicker — needs floor height	Very thin mats — minimal height loss
Install disruption	Higher (pipework, screed)	Lower (mats under tile/floor)

The headline is simple: electric UFH is cheaper to install but expensive to run, so it makes sense only for small areas like a bathroom or ensuite. Wet UFH costs more upfront but is far cheaper to run, especially when fed by a heat pump, so it's the right choice for whole-house or large open-plan heating. See our underfloor heating service page for the systems we install.

Running Costs vs Radiators

Wet underfloor heating runs at a much lower water (flow) temperature than radiators — typically 35–45°C versus 55–65°C for radiators. Because a heat pump is dramatically more efficient at lower flow temperatures, a wet UFH system fed by a heat pump can run 10–25% cheaper than the same heat delivered through radiators. The large surface area of a floor also gives a gentle, even, comfortable heat with fewer cold spots.

Electric UFH is the opposite: it converts expensive grid electricity to heat at roughly 1:1, so running a whole floor on electric mats is costly. That's why we only recommend electric for small, occasional-use rooms — a warm bathroom floor first thing in the morning — rather than primary heating.

Retrofit vs New-Build

New build or full renovation: this is where wet UFH shines. The pipes are laid into the screed before flooring goes down, floor heights are designed in from the start, and cost per m² is at the lower end of the range. If you're building or extending in Cornwall, wet UFH throughout is usually the best long-term decision.

Retrofit into an existing home: more involved and more expensive, because you either raise the floor level with low-profile UFH panels or take up and re-lay the existing floor. Low-profile retrofit systems add only ~15–20mm of height and avoid deep screed, but cost more per m². In many Cornish retrofits we fit wet UFH downstairs (on the solid ground floor) and keep well-sized radiators upstairs — a cost-effective hybrid.

Why UFH Suits Heat Pumps

Underfloor heating and heat pumps are a natural pairing. A heat pump is most efficient when it delivers heat at a low flow temperature, and UFH is designed to run exactly there. Pair a well-designed wet UFH system with a properly sized air source heat pump and you get low running costs, even comfortable warmth, and the best possible SCOP from the heat pump. If you're weighing up heating options for a Cornwall home, see our heat pumps in Cornwall page, and our companion guides on UFH with heat pumps and underfloor heating in Cornwall.

What Affects the Final Price

• Floor area and layout — larger, simpler areas cost less per m².
• Wet vs electric — the biggest single cost driver.
• Retrofit vs new-build — retrofit adds cost for floor build-up or lifting.
• Insulation and screed — proper floor insulation is essential and adds cost but pays back in efficiency.
• Controls and zoning — room-by-room thermostats and manifolds add flexibility and a little cost.
• Floor finish — tile and stone conduct heat best; thick carpet reduces output.

Getting a Quote in Cornwall

We design and install underfloor heating across Cornwall — as part of a heat pump project or as a standalone upgrade. Our free survey assesses your floor build-up, insulation and heat source to recommend the right system and give you a fixed price. Book a free underfloor heating survey to get accurate costs for your home.