Wet underfloor heating is a network of plastic pipes laid under the floor that carries warm water from the heat pump and turns the whole floor into a large, low-temperature radiator. Because the heating surface is so big, it can keep a room comfortable with water at around 35–40°C, which is the range where heat pumps typically work most efficiently.
Every underfloor design for Argyll and Bute starts with the floor finish you plan to lay, from tiles to carpet. For homes in Argyll and Bute with solid ground floors, a low-profile overlay system can avoid breaking up the existing floor. We coordinate with builders working in Argyll and Bute so underfloor pipes are laid and tested before the screed goes down.
Who it suits
- Self-builds and new floors where insulation and screed are going in anyway
- Homeowners who want even, gentle warmth with no radiators on show
- Extensions, especially open-plan kitchen-diners with large glazed areas
- Ground floors being dug out or relaid as part of wider building work
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply in Scotland. Instead, homeowners in Argyll and Bute can apply to Home Energy Scotland for a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, with up to £1,500 more for eligible rural and island homes, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You need a written funding offer before any work starts.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Scotland has its own permitted development rules for air source heat pumps and its own building standards, so we confirm what applies to your property at survey.
Underfloor heating with heat pumps prices in Argyll and Bute
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Argyll and Bute, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Argyll and Bute can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Wet underfloor heating, one room | £1,600–£3,800 |
| Wet underfloor heating, whole ground floor | £5,400–£16,200 |
Installed, inc VAT. Floor finishes and screed drying time are confirmed at survey.
Towns we cover in Argyll and Bute
We cover 6 towns in Argyll and Bute for underfloor heating with a heat pump. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbeltown | PA28 | Girvan | 7 h 04 min |
| Dunoon | PA23 | Gourock | 6 h 57 min |
| Helensburgh | G84 | Greenock | 6 h 57 min |
| Lochgilphead | PA31 | Dunoon | 6 h 56 min |
| Oban | PA34 | Lochgilphead | 6 h 51 min |
| Rothesay | PA20 | – | 6 h 59 min |
Underfloor heating with a heat pump questions
How much does underfloor heating cost with a heat pump?
Wet underfloor heating for a whole ground floor has a guide price of £5,000–£15,000, installed and including VAT, and a single room has a guide price of £1,500–£3,500. The spread reflects floor type, area, whether an overlay or screed system is used and how much floor preparation is needed. Your written quote fixes the price after the survey.
Can I put carpet over underfloor heating?
Yes, as long as the carpet and underlay together have a low tog rating, which measures how much they resist heat. For heat pump systems a combined figure of around 1.5 tog or less is a common target. Thick carpet on heavy underlay can cut output noticeably, so rooms with carpet may need closer pipe spacing.
Can I heat just one room with underfloor heating?
Yes. A single room, such as a kitchen extension, can have its own underfloor zone connected to the heat pump alongside the radiators in the rest of the house. It needs its own thermostat and a manifold, which for one room can be compact. The design checks the room's heat loss so the floor can meet it at the system's flow temperature.
How much will an overlay system raise my floor?
A low-profile overlay system typically adds around 15–25 mm for the boards, plus the thickness of the new floor finish. That can be enough to need door trimming, threshold strips and adjustments where the floor meets kitchen units or stairs. We measure these details at the survey so the build-up is agreed before work starts.