The short answer
Electric underfloor heating is usually cheaper to install — around £50–£100 per square metre — while a wet system costs more to fit at £60–£150 per square metre but is cheaper to run. For a single room such as a bathroom, electric often wins on overall cost because the install is simple and the heated area is small. For a whole house, wet is the usual choice: the higher fitting cost is offset by lower running costs over the years, especially with a heat pump. The right answer depends on how much area you are heating and how often. These are typical illustrations, not quotes.
Comparing wet and electric underfloor heating on cost alone can mislead, because the cheaper system to install is often the more expensive to run, and vice versa. This guide sets out the 2026 fitting costs for each, the running-cost difference, and how to judge which is cheaper over time for your situation. All figures are typical illustrations rather than quotes, and underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric).
Wet vs electric cost at a glance
- Electric to fit £50–£100/m²
- Wet to fit £60–£150/m²
- Cheaper to run Wet (water)
- Cheaper for one room Electric (mat)
- Best whole-house value Wet (water)
- Best with a heat pump Wet (water)
Fitting cost compared
Electric mats are quick to lay and need only a connection to a thermostat, so the fitting cost is lower — typically £50–£100 per square metre, or around £500–£1,500 for a single room. Wet systems involve pipework, a manifold, a pump and floor build-up, so they cost more to fit at £60–£150 per square metre. The gap is widest on retrofits, where a wet system may need the floor lifting and rebuilding while an electric mat sits thin on top of the existing base. For the full per-area picture, see cost per square metre.
| Factor | Wet (water) | Electric (mat) |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting cost per m² | £60–£150 | £50–£100 |
| Running cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Whole house, new build, heat pump | Single rooms, retrofits, bathrooms |
| Floor height added | More (pipes + screed) | Minimal (thin mat) |
| Installer | Gas Safe heating engineer | NICEIC electrician |
Running cost compared
This is where the picture reverses. A wet system circulates water heated by a boiler or heat pump, and runs at a low flow temperature, so the cost per unit of heat is lower — gas is cheaper per unit than electricity, and a heat pump multiplies the efficiency. An electric system converts electricity directly to heat, so it is more expensive per unit, which is why it is best for small areas used occasionally rather than a whole house heated daily. For the detail, see underfloor heating running costs and is underfloor heating expensive to run.
Which is cheaper over time?
To compare fairly, look at the install cost and the running cost together over the years you expect to use the system. A small, occasionally used area favours electric, because the modest install cost is rarely caught up by running-cost savings. A large, daily-use area favours wet, because the lower running cost steadily repays the higher fitting cost — and the gain is greater still with a heat pump. Sense-check totals against our main cost guide. This is general information; the right choice depends on your home, heat source and how you use the rooms, and underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric).
Compare underfloor heating quotes
For a close call between wet and electric, quotes for both make the decision clear. Use our service to compare quotes from a Gas Safe heating engineer or NICEIC electrician in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Is wet or electric underfloor heating cheaper to install?
Electric is usually cheaper to install, at around £50–£100 per square metre, because the mats are thin and quick to lay. Wet systems cost £60–£150 per square metre because of the pipework, manifold and floor build-up. These are typical illustrations, not quotes.
Which is cheaper to run, wet or electric?
Wet is cheaper to run. It uses a boiler or heat pump at a low flow temperature, and gas costs less per unit than electricity — a heat pump improves the efficiency further. Electric converts electricity straight to heat, so it costs more per unit. See running costs.
Which should I choose for a bathroom?
An electric mat is the common choice for a single bathroom: the install is simple, the floor is barely raised, and the heated area is small enough that the higher running cost has limited impact. For a whole house, wet usually makes more sense.
Is wet underfloor heating worth the extra fitting cost?
For a whole house or daily-use open-plan space, the lower running cost of a wet system typically repays the higher fitting cost over time, especially with a heat pump. For a small, occasionally used room, the extra fitting cost is harder to justify. See is underfloor heating worth it.
Sources & further reading
- Energy Saving Trust — underfloor heating, running costs and heat pumps
- Gas Safe Register — registered heating engineers for wet systems
- NICEIC — registered electricians for electric underfloor heating
- Manufacturer guidance — system specification and floor build-up
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Document L — efficiency standards
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Fitting and running costs vary with your home, heat source, the system you choose and your chosen installer. Underfloor heating should be fitted by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer (wet) or a NICEIC registered electrician (electric). We are an independent information and introduction service, not an installer.