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.
We coordinate with builders working in Cornwall so underfloor pipes are laid and tested before the screed goes down. Every underfloor design for Cornwall starts with the floor finish you plan to lay, from tiles to carpet. Homeowners in Cornwall and across Cornwall can mix underfloor heating downstairs with radiators upstairs on one heat pump.
Who it suits
- Extensions, especially open-plan kitchen-diners with large glazed areas
- Rooms where wall space for radiators is scarce
- Self-builds and new floors where insulation and screed are going in anyway
- Homeowners who want even, gentle warmth with no radiators on show
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your quote.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions at survey.
Underfloor heating with heat pumps prices in Cornwall
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Cornwall, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Cornwall can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Wet underfloor heating, one room | £1,550–£3,600 |
| Wet underfloor heating, whole ground floor | £5,150–£15,450 |
Installed, inc VAT. Floor finishes and screed drying time are confirmed at survey.
Towns we cover in Cornwall
We cover 15 towns in Cornwall for underfloor heating with a heat pump. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redruth | TR16 | Camborne | 8 h 02 min |
| Falmouth | TR11 | Truro | 8 h 03 min |
| St Austell | PL25 | Bodmin | 8 h 01 min |
| Truro | TR1 | Falmouth | 8 h 02 min |
| Camborne | TR14 | Redruth | 8 h 02 min |
| Newquay | TR7 | Truro | 8 h 00 min |
| Penzance | TR18 | Hayle | 8 h 03 min |
| Bodmin | PL31 | Wadebridge | 8 h 00 min |
| Saltash | PL12 | Plymouth | 8 h 00 min |
| Bude | EX23 | Launceston | 7 h 56 min |
| Hayle | TR27 | Camborne | 8 h 02 min |
| Helston | TR13 | Camborne | 8 h 03 min |
| Launceston | PL15 | Liskeard | 7 h 58 min |
| Liskeard | PL14 | Saltash | 8 h 00 min |
| Wadebridge | PL27 | Bodmin | 7 h 59 min |
Underfloor heating with a heat pump questions
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.
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 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.
Is underfloor heating better than radiators with a heat pump?
Underfloor heating usually allows a lower flow temperature than radiators, which helps a heat pump run efficiently. That does not make radiators a poor choice: correctly sized radiators also work well, and they are far less disruptive to fit in existing rooms. Many homes use underfloor heating in an extension or on the ground floor and radiators elsewhere.