There are two main ways to fit it. In new floors, such as an extension or a ground floor being dug out, pipes are set into a screed: a layer of sand and cement, or a flowing liquid mix, laid over insulation. In existing rooms, a low-profile or overlay system uses thin grooved boards laid on top of the current floor, raising it by a modest amount instead of breaking it up.
For homes in Derbyshire with solid ground floors, a low-profile overlay system can avoid breaking up the existing floor. Every underfloor design for Derbyshire starts with the floor finish you plan to lay, from tiles to carpet. Homeowners in Derbyshire and across Derbyshire can mix underfloor heating downstairs with radiators upstairs on one heat pump.
Who it suits
- Ground floors being dug out or relaid as part of wider building work
- Homeowners who want even, gentle warmth with no radiators on show
- Rooms where wall space for radiators is scarce
- Self-builds and new floors where insulation and screed are going in anyway
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.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Since 29 May 2025, permitted development in England allows up to two air source heat pumps on a house, each up to 1.5 m³, with no blanket 1 m boundary rule — the installation must still meet the MCS planning standards, including the noise check. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation-area positions need extra consent, which we check at survey.
Underfloor heating with heat pumps prices in Derbyshire
The ranges below are typical installed prices for homes in Derbyshire, including VAT. A survey sets the exact figure, because two similar-looking houses in Derbyshire can need quite different radiators and pipework.
| Work | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Wet underfloor heating, one room | £1,500–£3,500 |
| Wet underfloor heating, whole ground floor | £5,000–£15,000 |
Installed, inc VAT. Floor finishes and screed drying time are confirmed at survey.
Towns we cover in Derbyshire
We cover 16 towns in Derbyshire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derby | DE1 | Belper | 7 h 34 min |
| Chesterfield | S41 | Staveley | 7 h 31 min |
| Long Eaton | NG10 | Ilkeston | 7 h 35 min |
| Ilkeston | DE7 | Heanor | 7 h 34 min |
| Swadlincote | DE11 | Ashby-de-la-Zouch | 7 h 36 min |
| Staveley | S43 | Chesterfield | 7 h 31 min |
| Belper | DE56 | Ripley | 7 h 33 min |
| Heanor | DE75 | Ripley | 7 h 33 min |
| Alfreton | DE55 | Ripley | 7 h 33 min |
| Dronfield | S18 | Chesterfield | 7 h 30 min |
| Ripley | DE5 | Heanor | 7 h 33 min |
| Buxton | SK17 | Bakewell | 7 h 31 min |
| Glossop | SK13 | Hyde | 7 h 29 min |
| Ashbourne | DE6 | Belper | 7 h 33 min |
| Bakewell | DE45 | Matlock | 7 h 31 min |
| Matlock | DE4 | Bakewell | 7 h 32 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.
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 long does a screed floor take before I can use the heating?
Screed needs to dry before the heating is used at full temperature and before most floor finishes are laid. Drying time depends on the screed type, depth and conditions, from around a week for some liquid screeds to several weeks or more for traditional sand and cement. The heating is then brought up gradually over several days to avoid cracking.