Professional underfloor heating in Hampstead & NW3. Electric & wet systems. Bathrooms, extensions, whole house. Expert installation from £75/m².
Underfloor Heating Hampstead: Luxury Warmth Underfoot
Underfloor heating provides even warmth, frees up wall space and looks luxurious. Our heating engineers install both electric and wet underfloor heating across Hampstead and NW3, from single bathrooms to entire properties.
Underfloor Heating Costs
Electric Underfloor Heating
| Room Type | Size | Price Range |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| Small bathroom | 3m² | £400-£600 |
| Large bathroom | 6m² | £650-£950 |
| Kitchen | 12m² | £1,200-£1,800 |
| Extension | 20m² | £1,800-£2,800 |
| Per m² average | - | £75-£120/m² |
Wet Underfloor Heating
| Area | Price Range |
|------|-------------|
| Single room (15m²) | £1,500-£2,500 |
| Ground floor (40m²) | £3,500-£5,500 |
| Whole house (80m²) | £6,000-£10,000 |
| Per m² average | £80-£140/m² |
What's Included
- Heating elements/pipes
- Insulation boards
- Thermostat and controls
- Installation and commissioning
- Testing and certification
- Operating manual
Electric vs Wet Systems
Electric Underfloor Heating
Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories, single rooms
Advantages:
- Lower installation cost
- Easy retrofit
- Quick to install (1 day)
- Thin (as little as 3mm)
- No boiler needed
- Room-by-room installation
Disadvantages:
- Higher running costs
- Not suitable whole house
- Slower heat-up than radiators
Running cost: £2-£4 per m² per month
Wet Underfloor Heating
Best for: New builds, extensions, whole-house systems
Advantages:
- Lower running costs
- Even heat distribution
- Works with heat pumps
- Whole-house solution
- Adds property value
Disadvantages:
- Higher installation cost
- Raises floor level (50-100mm)
- Complex retrofit
- Needs boiler/heat pump
Running cost: £0.80-£1.50 per m² per month
Electric UFH Systems
Loose Wire Systems
- Flexibility: Custom layouts
- Cost: £45-£75 per m²
- Best for: Irregular rooms
- Install: In tile adhesive
Mat Systems
- Ease: Roll out and connect
- Cost: £60-£90 per m²
- Best for: Regular rooms
- Install: Under tiles
Insulation Boards
- Essential: Prevents heat loss downwards
- Cost: £15-£25 per m²
- Thickness: 6-20mm
- Efficiency: Reduces running costs 40%
Wet UFH Systems
Pipe Layouts
- Spiral: Most efficient, even heat
- Serpentine: Simple installation
- Spacing: 100-300mm typical
- Pipe: 16mm or 20mm
Manifold Systems
- Controls water flow
- Room-by-room zoning
- Flow meters
- Cost: £200-£400
Screed Systems
- Liquid screed: Fast drying, efficient
- Conventional screed: Cheaper, slower
- Thickness: 50-75mm over pipes
- Drying time: 3-6 weeks
Installation Process
Electric UFH (1 Day)
1. Prepare floor: Clean, level surface
2. Lay insulation: Boards or membrane
3. Install heating: Mats or wires
4. Resistance test: Ensure no damage
5. Lay flooring: Tiles or suitable finish
6. Install thermostat: Wall-mounted control
7. Commission: Test and handover
Wet UFH (3-7 Days)
1. Install manifold: Central distribution
2. Lay insulation: Essential base layer
3. Fix pipes: Clipped to boards
4. Pressure test: Check for leaks
5. Pour screed: Cover pipes
6. Cure time: 3-6 weeks wait
7. Install flooring: After screed dry
8. Commission: Heat up gradually
Floor Finishes Compatible
Best Performers
- Tiles/Stone: Excellent conductivity
- Engineered wood: Good (with proper UFH)
- Concrete/polished: Ideal
- Laminate: UFH-rated only
Acceptable
- Carpet: Low tog rating only (max 1.5)
- Vinyl: Check manufacturer spec
- Solid wood: Engineered better
Avoid
- Thick carpet (over 2.0 tog)
- Solid hardwood (can warp)
- Foam underlays
Thermostats & Controls
Basic Thermostats
- Manual dial: £40-£80
- Digital programmable: £80-£150
- 7-day scheduling: Set and forget
Smart Thermostats
- Heatmiser NeoStat: £120-£180
- Warmup 4iE: £150-£220
- ProWarm: £100-£160
- App control, scheduling, energy monitoring
Multi-Zone Control
- Different rooms different temperatures
- Manifold actuation (wet systems)
- Individual room thermostats
- Additional cost: £100-£200 per zone
Running Costs Comparison
Electric UFH
- Small bathroom (3m²): £8-£12/month
- Large kitchen (12m²): £30-£50/month
- Extension (20m²): £50-£80/month
- Usage: 4-6 hours daily average
Wet UFH
- Single room (15m²): £12-£20/month
- Ground floor (40m²): £40-£65/month
- Whole house (80m²): £70-£120/month
- Efficiency: 25% cheaper than radiators
Benefits of Underfloor Heating
Comfort
- Even temperature distribution
- No cold spots
- Warm floors underfoot
- No visible radiators
- More usable wall space
Efficiency
- Lower operating temperature (35-45°C vs 65-75°C)
- Reduced heat loss
- Works perfectly with heat pumps
- Zoned control
Health
- No dust circulation
- Better for allergies
- Reduced condensation
- No sharp radiator edges (child safety)
Hampstead Property Considerations
Period Properties
- Floor height issues
- May need structural assessment
- Often electric system better
- Conservation area approval
Extensions
- Perfect opportunity for wet UFH
- Include in floor construction
- Cost-effective at build stage
- Future-proof with heat pump
Flats
- Electric UFH usually only option
- Check lease building regulations
- Downstairs neighbor insulation
- Noise considerations
Insulation Requirements
Floor Insulation Essential
- Prevents heat loss downward
- 40-60% efficiency improvement
- Building regulations requirement
- Insulation boards or foam
U-Value Targets
- Ground floors: 0.22 W/m²K
- Suspended floors: 0.25 W/m²K
- Determines insulation thickness
Heat Output
Electric UFH
- 100-200W per m² typical
- 150W average for bathrooms
- Temperature rise: 2-4°C
- Boost to existing heating
Wet UFH
- 50-100W per m² typical
- 80W average rooms
- Sole heating source capable
- Temperature rise: 3-6°C
Installation Checklist
Before Installation
- Floor structure suitable?
- Ceiling height allows?
- Electrical supply adequate?
- Insulation in place?
- Flooring choice confirmed?
During Installation
- Professional installer essential
- Resistance/pressure testing
- Photographic record of layout
- Avoid damage to elements/pipes
- Commission properly
Maintenance
Electric UFH
- No maintenance required
- Thermostat batteries (if wireless)
- 20-30 year lifespan
- No servicing needed
Wet UFH
- Annual boiler service (if gas)
- Manifold check (visual)
- Inhibitor check
- 30+ year lifespan
- Pipes guaranteed 50 years
Common Problems & Solutions
Not Heating Up
Electric:
- Check thermostat settings
- Test resistance
- Breaker tripped?
Wet:
- Air in system (bleed manifold)
- Pump running?
- Manifold valves open?
Uneven Heating
- Thermostat location poor
- Insulation gaps
- Furniture blocking (electric mats)
- Flow balancing needed (wet)
Why Choose Hampstead Maintenance?
Our Expertise
✅ Electric & wet UFH specialists
✅ 20+ years installation experience
✅ Free heat calculations
✅ Quality systems: Warmup, Heatmiser, ProWarm
✅ Building Control: All certification handled
Customer Testimonials
*"Electric UFH in bathroom. Luxury every morning, very professional install."* - Sophie, Belsize Park
*"Wet system throughout extension. Perfect even heat, looks fantastic."* - James, Hampstead Garden Suburb
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can UFH be the sole heating source?
A: Wet UFH yes, electric UFH usually supplementary in UK climate.
Q: How long does it take to heat up?
A: Electric 30-60 mins, wet 2-3 hours. Leave on low constantly more efficient.
Q: Can I install UFH myself?
A: Electric possibly if competent, but warranty requires professional. Wet definitely needs professional.
Q: Will UFH work with my existing boiler?
A: Usually yes, but may need mixing valve for lower temperature.
Q: What if it breaks under the floor?
A: Electric systems tested before tiling. Wet systems pressure tested. Failures very rare.
Q: Does UFH add value to property?
A: Yes, 3-5% typically, especially in bathrooms and extensions.
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*Last updated: January 2025. Underfloor heating prices include VAT, materials and installation. Free site surveys. Electric and wet systems available.*