How Much Value Does Underfloor Heating Add to a Property?

With UK households adopting so-called 'green' tech at record pace, underfloor heating (UFH) has shifted from "nice-to-have" to a mainstream upgrade, alongside other low-carbon options such as heat pumps and rooftop solar panels. Below, we take a data-led look at the installation costs, energy savings and potential value that you could add to your property if you decide to include UFH in your next home upgrade.

The rising popularity of eco-friendly property upgrades

Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) data shows 2024 was a record year for small-scale renewables, with 260,000+ certified installations (solar PV, batteries, heat pumps, etc.). Rooftop solar alone is now present on over 1.6 million UK roofs, with 180,000 added in 2024.

Heat pumps are also gaining ground: the MCS reports that average monthly heat-pump installation is up 39% vs 2023, and the UK government's quarterly deployment statistics have also tracked this increase. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) - the main grant in England and Wales - was increased to £7,500 per heat pump in late-2023 and runs until 31 December 2027, further boosting uptake.

Underfloor Heating rides this wave because it pairs perfectly with low-temperature heat sources like heat pumps. Indeed, the Energy Saving Trust notes that UFH allows lower flow temperatures, which makes a heat pump run more efficiently than when driving high-temperature radiators.

Why homeowners like it

Beyond the "green" credentials, UFH spreads gentle radiant heat across the room, freeing up wall space and delivering very even comfort. Independent guides and installers consistently highlight steady, uniform warmth and design flexibility as key reasons people choose to implement UFH, alongside the flexibility of easy, remote app-based access.

How much money can UFH save on heating bills?

Two effects drive cost savings:

1. Lower operating temperatures: Compared with radiators, UFH can deliver the same comfort at lower water temperatures. Industry testing and consumer guides suggest meaningful efficiency gains, often quoted as up to 35-40% energy reduction in the right setup (especially when paired with a heat pump and good controls). Real-world savings vary with insulation, controls and occupancy.
2. Heat pump synergy: Because UFH helps a heat pump run at lower temperatures, system efficiency (COP) improves. With current Ofgem price cap levels, independent analyses suggest a modern air-source heat pump can save £300–£350/yr versus an older, G-rated boiler. Think of UFH as the enabler that helps you extract those savings reliably.

Rule of thumb: If a typical home spends £1,000/yr on heating, a realistic 15–25% reduction from a well-designed wet UFH system (especially in conjunction with a heat pump) translates to £150–£250/yr saved with potential for more in highly optimised, low-temperature systems. (Of course the actual outcomes depend on tariffs, insulation, controls and h2>

What does it cost to install UFH?

Costs depend heavily on property type, floor build-up and whether it's a new build or retrofit:

• Wet (hydronic) UFH, ground floor, new build: around £100–£110 per m² for installation, with whole-floor totals commonly in the low-to-mid thousands.
• Wet UFH, retrofit (lift floors/raise levels): guide pricing around £300+ per m² and £16,000 for a typical whole ground-floor retrofit, reflecting labour and making-good.
• Electric UFH (small rooms, e.g., bathrooms): often £70–£90 per m² to install; cheaper to fit but costlier to run than wet systems, so best used in limited areas.

Whilst aimed primarily at replacing wall insulation, both The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) also provide funding for UFH in some cases. Check whether you qualify at the links below.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme

https://www.gov.uk/energy-company-obligation

When is UFH unsuitable (or less ideal)?

• Historic/listed buildings and heritage floors: Raising or altering original floors may require planning consent and can be constrained by heritage guidance. Historic England warns that changing floor levels for UFH can have knock-on effects (doors, skirting, steps) and may need listed building consent.
• Retrofit floor build-up: The main retrofit challenge is added floor height (and disruption). Some overlay systems are slim, but extra planning is required around thresholds, doors and skirtings.
• High heat-loss homes: Very leaky homes may not meet design heat loads with low-temp UFH unless you improve insulation first (The British Standards Institution's PAS 2035 advocates a whole-house approach to retrofit).

In practice, UFH is ideal for new-builds and extensions where it can be built into the design, but it is still feasible, albeit more costly, in most retrofits with careful design and expectations.

So… how much value can UFH add?

When it comes to the value UFH can add to your property, there are two evidence-based pathways to consider:

1. Energy efficiency premium: Multiple peer-reviewed studies across the UK and Europe find that each step up in the EPC band typically carries a 1–3% price premium, with A/B-rated homes selling at markedly higher prices than G-rated. UFH alone won't transform an EPC, but as part of a whole-house efficiency upgrade package (insulation + heat pump + good controls), it can help unlock this premium.
2. Buyer appeal: Market research regularly shows buyers pay more for comfort-led, energy-efficient features coupled with sleek design. A recent UK agent/buyer study from Zoopla suggests underfloor heating can add c. £4,000 to perceived value in winter listings, alongside premiums for other seasonal features.

Quick takeaways

• Savings: UFH can cut energy use vs radiators (often cited up to 35–40% in optimal systems) and boost heat-pump efficiency - translating to £150–£250/yr typical savings (more in the best setups).
• Costs: £100–£110/m² (new build wet), £300+/m² (retrofit wet), £70–£90/m² (electric small rooms).
• Grants: Looking into any grants or government-led initiatives which could contribute to your installation costs. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation are a good place to start.
• Suitability: Excellent for new builds/extensions; retrofits need careful design; heritage properties may face hurdles.

If your goal is comfort + lower-carbon heating + broad buyer appeal, UFH - especially alongside a heat pump and insulation - ticks all the right boxes.