Underfloor heating is an excellent alternative to traditional radiators. It has many advantages, the most important of which is undoubtedly the even distribution of heat. Underfloor heating can be made with different technologies, which affects the cost of its installation and use. Find out how much, approximately, the installation of underfloor heating can cost in a house of 100 m2.
There are two types of underfloor heating: electric and water. The first requires a connection to the power supply. To ensure the optimal temperature in individual rooms, heating cables, mats, or foils are used. The former are laid on the concrete screed and are usually fixed with a special tape. Their installation is more labor-intensive than in the case of mats and foils. To control underfloor heating, use a wireless or wired system from Engo Controls, which will provide convenient temperature control.
Water flooring consists of a system of heating pipes made of metal or plastic, in which hot water supplied by a heating device, such as a boiler, flows. They are poured with a layer of screed, and then the floor is finished. For both water and electric heating, materials with high thermal conductivity should be used.
At the very beginning, it is worth knowing the cost of underfloor heating for 100 m2. The cost of purchasing heating cables is about 10-30 PLN per running meter and about 80-250 PLN per m2. Heating mats are more expensive, costing 150-300 PLN per m2, depending on whether they are adapted for installation under tiles or panels. You also have to add to the cost the purchase of additional components, such as thermostats and other types of accessories to make the system more comfortable.
You also need to add labor costs for underfloor heating. The price of such a service depends primarily on whether wires mats or foils are used. In the first case, you have to reckon with an average rate oscillating around 100-150 PLN per m2. However, everything depends on the reputation of the company performing the service, as well as the region in which the property is located. Most often, spreading mats are slightly cheaper, as they involve less labor and cost about 70-120 PLN per m2.
By far the most popular is water floor heating. The cost of its installation is generally lower than for electric heating. The price of the pipes is about PLN 15-30 per m2. It is also necessary to purchase a controller, which, depending on the model, can cost an average of 300 to 800 zlotys. It is not worth saving on such accessories, as they have a huge impact on the later comfort of underfloor heating.
The price of labor depends on the company’s reputation and location. However, it can be assumed that the cost of a water floor is about 40-60 PLN per m2. Deciding on a more elaborate and complex system, you need to expect higher costs. Wondering how much underfloor heating costs without a screed? The price is in the range of 13,000-20,000 per 100 m2. Keep in mind, however, that these are only estimated costs, which in reality may be higher.
The cost of underfloor heating is influenced primarily by the type of underfloor heating, as well as the heat demand of the building. It depends primarily on the area, as well as the type of insulation used. The better insulated the building, the lower the heat loss, so the heating costs are also lower. In the case of electric heating, they also depend on whether the electricity comes from the grid or is produced by a photovoltaic system. Solar panels produce energy from the sun’s rays, so supplying mats or heating cables with them is by far the most economical. However, if you get your electricity from the grid, you have to reckon with the fact that heating a 100-square-meter house with an energy requirement of 80 kW/m2 will cost about PLN 6,000 per year (at an average price of PLN 0.75 per 1 kWh).
In the case of water heating, everything depends on the heat source. In the table below you will find an example simulation for a 100 m2 building with an annual heat demand of 70 kWh/m2.
You must bear in mind that low-temperature heating, such as underfloor heating, requires a suitable heat source. Condensing boilers, electric boilers, and heat pumps are perfect for this. This means that this type of heating is not suitable for homes heated with coal or pellet stoves. As you can see in the above simulation, by far the cheapest solution is a heat pump. However, the cost of heating with a gas boiler is also not prohibitive.
Before you decide to install underfloor heating, you need to know its most important advantages and disadvantages. First of all, it is invisible and does not take up any space. Thanks to this, it creates greater arrangement possibilities. The floor mat is also comfortable to use. It is perfect for small rooms, such as bathrooms, where there is not much space. Another undoubted advantage is the ability to lower the temperature in the building by 2°C without losing thermal comfort. Thanks to underfloor heating, you can save on heating bills. The biggest disadvantage is the much higher price of the entire investment compared to a radiator installation. Access to it is also difficult because it is located under the floor. This can cause problems if a failure occurs. When choosing underfloor heating, you must also use the appropriate type of flooring. You should also avoid carpets and rugs that impede heat transfer.
Underfloor heating works perfectly in modern, insulated houses. It allows you to maintain the appropriate temperature without high operating costs. This is a solution worth considering when choosing a heating method.