There’s no denying it—stepping onto a warm, tiled floor on a frosty UK morning feels like pure luxury. Electric underfloor heating (UFH) has become one of the most requested upgrades in our bathroom renovations. But is it just a nice-to-have, or is it a smart, practical investment for your home? Here’s a breakdown of the costs versus the comfort.

The most common type for bathrooms is an electric system, which involves laying a mat of thin wires on top of the subfloor, which is then covered by your floor tiles. The primary benefit is unbeatable comfort. It changes the entire feel of the room, turning a cold, functional space into a warm, spa-like retreat that makes a big difference on a cold day.

It’s also highly energy-efficient when used correctly. UFH heats the room from the ground up at a lower temperature than a radiator, providing a more even and comfortable warmth. When paired with a programmable thermostat, you can set it to warm up just before you wake up, using minimal energy. It’s also completely hidden, which saves valuable wall space and gives you total design freedom—perfect for small bathrooms.

The best and cheapest time to install underfloor heating is during a full bathroom renovation when the floor is already being replaced. As an add-on to a tiling job, the cost is relatively small. The running costs are also surprisingly low, often adding just a few pence per day to your electricity bill for a typical bathroom.

However, the system must be installed correctly by a professional. It’s essential to lay insulation boards underneath the heating mats, otherwise, a lot of the heat will be lost into the subfloor, making it inefficient and expensive to run. The system must also be fully tested before the first tile is laid over it.

So, is it worth it? Yes, 100%. For the relatively low installation cost during a renovation and the minimal running costs, the comfort and luxury it adds are outstanding. It’s one of the single best upgrades you can make to your home, adding both a “wow” factor and tangible resale value.