No. In 2026 the government consulted on updated efficiency standards for electric local space heaters, including electric underfloor heating. The proposals would only apply to new products sold once the rules come into force, expected from 2027, and would require higher minimum efficiency, built-in temperature controls and low-power standby modes. Underfloor heating that’s already installed isn’t affected, and water underfloor heating connected to a boiler or heat pump isn’t covered by these rules.

Water underfloor heating spreads warmth across the whole floor, so it can heat a room using lower water temperatures than radiators need. That helps boilers, and especially heat pumps, run more efficiently in well-insulated homes. Electric underfloor heating costs about the same per unit of heat as other electric heaters, so it’s best suited to single rooms rather than heating a whole home.

It can be either. Water underfloor heating circulates warm water through pipes under the floor, heated by your gas boiler or heat pump. Electric underfloor heating uses a thin heating film or mat under the floor, powered by mains electricity and controlled by its own thermostat.

Yes. Low-profile water systems and electric retrofit film are designed to go over existing floors with minimal build-up, so in most cases you don’t need to dig up the floor. They can be laid over solid floors, and some systems can also go over floorboards.

It depends on the system. Routed low-profile water panels are 18mm deep, finished with a thin layer of levelling compound. The Low Profile Flexi-Fit system can be covered with as little as 20mm of screed. Electric retrofit film adds about 4–11mm under the floor finish. Pipe in screed systems and in-screed electric mats are built into new floors, so they don’t add to an existing floor height.

Most systems work under tiles, natural stone, laminate, LVT and engineered wood, and carpet can work with a low-tog underlay in a well-insulated home. Always check the system’s page and your flooring manufacturer’s maximum temperature, as some finishes have limits.

Screed systems warm up more slowly because the screed absorbs and stores heat, so they’re usually run on a schedule rather than switched on and off. Low-profile panels and electric film sit closer to the floor surface and respond faster.

Yes. Tell us about your project, including the room sizes, floor type and how you heat your home, and our team will design a free, bespoke underfloor heating layout and specify the system for you.