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 East Sussex so underfloor pipes are laid and tested before the screed goes down. For homes in East Sussex with solid ground floors, a low-profile overlay system can avoid breaking up the existing floor. Older houses around East Sussex with suspended timber floors can often take underfloor pipes between the joists.
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
- Ground floors being dug out or relaid as part of wider building work
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 East Sussex
These are guide prices for East Sussex, installed and including VAT. Your final price is fixed in a written quote after the survey and depends on the heat loss of the house, the radiators that need changing and where the unit goes.
| 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 East Sussex
We cover 14 towns in East Sussex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | BN1 | Peacehaven | 7 h 56 min |
| Eastbourne | BN21 | Hailsham | 7 h 57 min |
| Hastings | TN34 | Bexhill-on-Sea | 7 h 56 min |
| Bexhill-on-Sea | TN40 | Battle | 7 h 56 min |
| Hailsham | BN27 | Eastbourne | 7 h 56 min |
| Seaford | BN25 | Newhaven | 7 h 57 min |
| Crowborough | TN6 | Uckfield | 7 h 54 min |
| Peacehaven | BN10 | Newhaven | 7 h 57 min |
| Uckfield | TN22 | Crowborough | 7 h 55 min |
| Lewes | BN7 | Peacehaven | 7 h 56 min |
| Battle | TN33 | Bexhill-on-Sea | 7 h 55 min |
| Heathfield | TN21 | Uckfield | 7 h 55 min |
| Newhaven | BN9 | Seaford | 7 h 57 min |
| Rye | TN31 | Hastings | 7 h 55 min |
Underfloor heating with a heat pump questions
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.
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.
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.