Underfloor heating installation in Macclesfield
In short
Wet underfloor heating runs at a low flow temperature across a large surface, which makes it comfortable, efficient and an excellent match for a heat pump. It suits new floors, extensions and refurbishments where the floor is coming up anyway — retrofitting into an existing floor is where the cost sits.
Also called: wet underfloor heating · UFH installation · electric underfloor heating · underfloor heating manifold
There are two systems and they are not interchangeable. Wet systems circulate warm water through pipe loops in or under the floor, connected to a manifold with its own pump and blending valve, and they heat whole rooms efficiently. Electric mats warm the floor surface for comfort and are best used as a supplement in a bathroom or kitchen — running a whole house on electric underfloor heating is extremely expensive.
The efficiency case for wet UFH is the low flow temperature. Because the emitting surface is the entire floor, it delivers the same heat at perhaps 35 to 45°C where radiators need 55 to 70°C. That keeps a condensing boiler condensing for far more of its running time, and it is the reason underfloor heating and heat pumps work so well together.
The build-up decides the cost. In a new screed floor, the pipe is clipped down and screeded over — straightforward, and the thermal mass gives a slow, even, comfortable heat. In a refurbishment, low-profile systems sit in a thin overlay board, which adds little height and responds faster. Retrofitting between existing joists is possible with plates and insulation beneath, and works, though the output is lower.
Floor coverings matter more than people expect. Tile and stone are ideal. Engineered wood is fine within the manufacturer's temperature limits. Thick carpet and heavy underlay insulate the very floor you are trying to heat, and a thick rug over a UFH zone can make a room noticeably cooler. Those decisions belong at the design stage.
Control is by zone, with a manifold, actuators and room thermostats. Underfloor heating responds slowly — that thermal mass again — so it is scheduled to run gently and consistently rather than blasted on and off, which is a habit change for anyone used to radiators.
What the job covers
- Design of loop layout, spacing and zones to the room's heat loss
- Manifold, pump, blending valve and actuator installation
- Screed, low-profile overlay and between-joist systems
- Insulation beneath the pipework so heat goes upwards
- Pressure testing before the floor is closed
- Zone thermostats, commissioning and balancing
What it costs
We don't publish a price for this yet, because a number pulled out of the air is worse than no number at all — your plumber has to honour it. You'll get a firm price for your actual job when they ring you back, before any work starts. The quote itself is free and there's no obligation either way.
Common questions
Can underfloor heating be retrofitted?
Yes — low-profile overlay boards add minimal height, and between-joist systems work on suspended floors. Both cost more than pipe in a new screed, so it is much cheaper alongside a floor replacement or an extension.
Is it expensive to run?
Wet underfloor heating is generally cheaper to run than radiators because of the low flow temperature, especially with a condensing boiler or a heat pump. Electric underfloor heating is the opposite and is best kept to small comfort areas.
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