Water-Based vs Electric Underfloor Heating — What’s Best for Your Project?
Water-Based vs Electric Underfloor Heating — What’s Best for Your Project?
Introduction
Underfloor heating sounds like the perfect solution — no ugly radiators, warm floors, better comfort all year round.
But once homeowners start researching it, the same questions come up every time:
👉 Should I go for electric or water-based underfloor heating?
👉 Which is cheaper to run?
👉 What works best in my type of home?
In this guide, we’ll break it down in plain English — and show you what actually works best based on the hundreds of installs we’ve done across Hertfordshire and North London.
Why So Many Homeowners End Up Confused
We hear it all the time:
👉 “My builder said to just get an electric mat — but my neighbour says it costs a fortune to run.”
👉 “Our kitchen fitter said electric is quicker, but won’t that be too expensive for the whole house?”
👉 “I read water-based is better, but then someone else told me it’s really disruptive to fit.”
The problem?
Most people only hear part of the story — and often from someone who isn’t a specialist in underfloor heating.
What Homeowners Often Try (That Doesn’t Work)
👉 Fitting electric mats in large rooms thinking it will heat the whole space efficiently (it won’t — running costs get crazy).
👉 Choosing electric just because it’s cheaper to install upfront — then regretting it after a few winters.
👉 Letting a builder or non-specialist plumber choose the system → we’ve seen expensive mistakes here.
👉 Mixing systems badly → “We had UFH in some rooms and radiators in others — but the temperatures never balance.”
The Dream Outcome You Actually Want
When people choose underfloor heating, what they really want is:
✅ Even, consistent warmth throughout rooms
✅ Warm floors → especially in kitchens & bathrooms
✅ Energy efficiency → lower bills over time
✅ System that just works, quietly and reliably
✅ No clutter → no radiators taking up space
✅ Flexibility → can work with renewables & future-proof your home
Water-Based vs Electric — What’s the Difference?
Electric Underfloor Heating
Usually a thin mat or cable system under tiles or floors
Cheap and fast to install — but mainly suited for small areas (bathrooms, cloakrooms)
Expensive to run over large areas → costs add up fast
Not suitable for full-property heating
Water-Based Underfloor Heating (aka "wet UFH")
Pipes run under the floor → connected to your boiler or heat pump
More efficient → lower running costs, especially for larger spaces
Works perfectly with renewables (heat pumps)
Suitable for full-property heating
Slightly more complex to install → but worth it for long-term performance
What We Recommend (And What We Install)
At Sable Projects, we ONLY install water-based underfloor heating — because:
✅ It gives you better comfort across your home
✅ It works beautifully with modern boilers and heat pumps
✅ It delivers lower running costs → very important with energy prices today
✅ It’s future-proof → if you later switch to a heat pump, you’re ready
✅ It can be zoned → you control which rooms are heated and when
We use trusted brands like:
→ Because these systems are proven, reliable, and deliver great performance.
Underfloor Heating in Hertfordshire & North London — What to Know
We install water-based UFH in:
✅ Hertfordshire → St Albans, Harpenden, Radlett, Hitchin, Welwyn Garden City, Berkhamsted
✅ North London → Hampstead, Highgate, Finchley, Barnet, Muswell Hill
We install in:
✅ New builds
✅ Extensions
✅ Full property refurbishments
✅ Kitchens & open-plan spaces
✅ Luxury bathrooms
✅ Listed & heritage properties (with suitable floor buildup)
Underfloor Heating FAQs
Is water-based UFH expensive to run?
No — it’s very efficient when designed properly, and cheaper long term than electric UFH.
Can I fit water-based UFH in an existing home?
Yes — many retrofits are possible. We’ll advise you based on your floor construction and space.
Can it run off my existing boiler?
Most modern boilers work well with water-based UFH — we check compatibility during our design process.
How long does it take to install?
For an extension → typically 1–2 days. Full property → depends on the size and build programme.
Ready to Get the Right Underfloor Heating for Your Home?
If you want underfloor heating that delivers real comfort and efficiency — and a system that works for your home, not against it — we’d love to help.
✅ We ONLY install water-based UFH → because it’s the right choice for quality homes.
✅ We design every system carefully → no shortcuts, no cowboy installs.
✅ We install cleanly → with full testing and professional finish.
Let’s get your floors warm — the right way.
