How Much Does Underfloor Heating Cost to Install
Underfloor heating is a gentle and effective way to keep your home warm. The heat radiates evenly from the floor and slowly rises. It may not be appropriate for every room, but can be ideal for specific areas of the home, such as the bathroom, which is a more confined space and where you want to avoid a cold shock on your feet when you step out of the bath or shower.
But which system - electric or hydronic - is best? And how much does it cost to install and run? Expect underfloor heating to cost anywhere from:
- $33 per square metre for an electric in-slab electric underfloor heating system
- $68 per square metre for a hydronic in-slab underfloor heating system
- $105 per square metre for a hydronic in-screed underfloor heating system
Read on to find out more about the practicalities of installing underfloor heating, and more detail on the costs.
How is underfloor heating installed?
There are three ways underfloor heating is installed:
In-slab heating
As the name implies, in-slab heating is installed in a concrete slab when it is poured. It is the slowest to heat because it first has to warm up the slab before the heat is transferred to the tiles or concrete. Hydronic systems are usually installed in the slab. A separate boiler heats the water, which is pumped through the coils and recycled.
In-screed heating
A screed is a thin layer of concrete poured over a slab. In-screed underfloor heating coils are embedded in the screed. With less concrete to heat, in-screed heating warms the floor more quickly than in-slab heating.
Under-tile or under-carpet heating
Under-tile or under-carpet heating is the easiest to install. The heating units are mats with very thin coils embedded in them. Some heating mats can be laid under a rug and plugged into the wall while larger systems may need professional installation. In no case should you attempt DIY installation in wet areas like the bathroom or kitchen.
Which rooms should I install underfloor heating in?
We asked underfloor heating expert Rick Florance, from underfloor heating installers and retailers Cold Buster, to help answer this question. His advice is:
"The most common room for floor heating is the bathroom. However, the benefits of floor heating over alternative heating methods apply to any room. In fact, often we are asked to quote for someone's bathroom, but when we point out this obvious fact, and 90% of the time we are then asked to quote additional rooms where there is flooring being put down or replaced."
Zone control and off-peak energy can also make underfloor heating a lot more affordable to run that many people expect - which makes whole home installations increasingly common.
Which underfloor heating is right for me?
Of the two types of underfloor heating – electric and hydronic - hydronic is more expensive to install than electric heating, but is the most cost-effective type of underfloor heating for a new build or larger installation. If you're renovating an existing home, your practical choices will probably be electric.
Which should you choose?
- If you're renovating your bathroom and replacing tiles, you can choose either in-screed or under-tile floor heating.
- Underfloor heating is available for timber floors, but installers may stipulate which timbers are suitable for underfloor heating and the timber must be laid to accommodate shrinkage and expansion.
- If you're laying carpet, mats are probably your least expensive option.
- Mat heating is generally used on upper floors.
- If you're installing vinyl or laminate, make sure it is compatible with underfloor heating. Better quality vinyl and laminate flooring is usually compatible, but check your flooring first.
- Underfloor heating will keep natural stone and tiled floors toasty warm. Thicker floors will take longer to reach the desired temperature, but once heated, they will retain their temperature.
As with most types of heating systems, the temperature of an underfloor heater can be adjusted with a thermostat.
How much does underfloor heating cost to install?
In terms of costs these can vary widely depending on the type of system you choose and if it is retrofitted or installed during a build. With this in mind you can expect hydronic heating to cost, from:
- $68 per square metre for an in-slab underfloor heating system (excluding boiler)
- $105 per square metre for an in-screed underfloor heating system (excluding boiler)
To get an idea of approximate installation costs from someone in the trade, we asked underfloor heating expert Rick Florance - who is a fan of electric heating - for his input:
"Generally, the under tile and carpet heaters are a bit more cost than the in screed and slab heaters. Prices per square metre depends on size of heater as well as type of heater. For example:
- The smallest in screed electric heater is only $114 incl GST (for areas less than 1 square metre)
- The largest in slab electric heater is less than $33 per square metre
In terms of a thermostat, a fully programmable digital floor sensing thermostat is around $200.
How much does underfloor heating cost to run?
The next question is how much your underfloor heating will cost to run. This depends on the size of your installation, the temperature you run the system at and if you use it at off-peak or standard power rates. Generally speaking hydronic floor heating is the most expensive to install in terms of upfront costs - but is more economical to run, especially if you choose gas or solar to power your system
- Based on a rate of 26 cents per kilowatt hour, a small under-carpet heater can cost up to $24 per month to run (up to 3 square metres)
- Based on a standard tariff of 18 cents per hour, you can expect to outlay in the region of $50 for a small 4 square metre bathroom
- The running cost of a large under-carpet heater is closer to $100 per month (15 square metre to 20 square metre)
This would be significantly less if you use off-peak power, and is more cost effective than a ducted air conditioning system.
Who can install my underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating system installation is a specialised job, so you need to hire a business who have trained technicians. They will have the necessary plumbing and/or electrical qualifications. You will need a licensed electrician to connect power to your system, as well as install the timer and thermostat.
Hiring an underfloor heating installer
Want to know what to look for when it comes time to getting quotes for your underfloor heating job? Besides making sure your installer is licensed, look for someone with plenty of testimonials from happy clients. You also need to make sure you get a quote in writing - if they can't provide that, don't bother.
How Much Does Underfloor Heating Cost to Install
Source: https://hipages.com.au/article/how_much_does_underfloor_heating_cost