What are the costs for underfloor heating in the living room?

Electric underfloor heating works with electricity and emits heat via cables or foils that are placed directly under the floor covering. In a living room, this can be done in various ways.

1. Heating Mats

Description

• Pre-fabricated mats with thin heating cables, easy to roll out over the floor.
• Usually incorporated into a thin levelling layer.

Application

• Ideal for renovation, quick installation.
• Particularly suitable as supplementary heating (extra comfort).

Advantages

• Easy to install.
• Low installation height.
• Quick to heat up.

Disadvantages

• Higher running costs for large areas.
• Less suitable as primary heating.

Costs (2025)

• € 30 – € 60 per m²
• 40 m² living room: € 1,500 – € 2,500

2. Loose heating cables

Description

• Cables are laid in loops and secured to a mounting profile or net.
• A finishing layer is then poured over it.

Application

• Flexible: suitable for rooms with unusual shapes.
• Both for renovation and new construction.

Advantages

• Precise placement possible.
• More durable and longer lasting than mats.

Disadvantages

• More labor-intensive installation.
• Higher installation costs than mats.

Costs (2025)

• €35 – €60 per m²

3. Infrared film (electric)

Description

• Ultra-thin films with infrared technology are laid directly under the floor.
• Radiant heat warms objects and the floor.

Application

• Especially interesting for renovations without chiseling or breaking.
• Suitable for PVC, laminate, and wooden floors.

Advantages

• No build-up height (foil is 1–2 mm).
• Fast heating.
• Very easy installation.

Disadvantages

• Only suitable under certain floor types (not under tiles).
• Higher running costs for large areas.

Costs (2025)

• €50 – €70 per m²

Main considerations for the living room

1. Use:
• Electric as supplementary heating for comfort zones.
• Not efficient as main heating for large areas due to high electricity costs.
2. Insulation:
• Good insulation is crucial to limit energy loss.
3. Alternative:
• For larger living rooms, water-based underfloor heating is often recommended.

Practical Advice

• For small renovations: heating mats or infrared film are the most practical.
• For new construction or major renovations: consider water-based systems for lower energy costs.
• Quotes via jeofferte.nl provide quick insight into the cost differences between electric and water-based systems.

Conclusion

In a living room, the following electric underfloor heating systems are used:

1. Heating mats – quick and easy, thin build-up.
2. Loose cables – flexible solution for complex spaces.
3. Infrared film – ultra-thin, ideal for renovations without demolition work.

For small areas, electric is fine; for large surfaces, it is mainly a luxury choice and not the most economical.

Electric underfloor heating is popular for small spaces, comfort zones, and renovations without demolition.
The system works with thin cables, mats, or infrared film and has relatively low installation costs.

1. Installation Costs

Price per m² (average, incl. material and labor)

• € 30 – € 60 per m²

Examples (2025)

Important: For larger surfaces, electric heating becomes less attractive due to high electricity costs.

2. Running costs

Running costs depend on:

• Surface area and power (100–160 W/m²)
• Number of daily usage hours
• Electricity rate (2025 average € 0.30/kWh)

Calculation example: bathroom 10 m²

• Power: 150 W/m² → 1.5 kW total
• Usage: 2 hours per day
• Consumption: 3 kWh × €0.30 = €0.90 per day
• Year: approx. €300 – €350

For main heating

• Constant heating can amount to €35 – €50 per m² per year.

3. Extra Options

• Programmable thermostat: € 100 – € 300
• Wifi/smart thermostat: € 200 – € 400

4. When to choose electric underfloor heating?

• Supplementary heating: Bathroom, toilet, kitchen
• Renovation: Simple installation without chiseling
• Small areas: Quick comfort and low investment costs

For larger spaces, water-based underfloor heating is often more economical to use.

Summary Table

*With an average of 2 hours of use per day.

Practical Advice

• Electric underfloor heating is affordable and easy to install.
• Use it mainly as supplementary heating to avoid high electricity costs.
• Many homeowners compare electric systems with water-based alternatives via jeofferte.nl to map out the long-term costs.

Conclusion

Electric underfloor heating:

• Installation: € 30 – € 60/m²
• Usage: low for short periods, high for continuous use
• Best choice for small, specific areas

The cost of underfloor heating consists of installation costs and running costs.
Both are determined by a number of factors:

1. Type of underfloor heating system

• Water-based: higher installation costs, lower running costs (most suitable for main heating).
• Electric: lower installation costs, higher running costs (especially for small areas).
• Infrared film: thin system, ideal for renovation without breaking, but higher consumption costs.

2. Size of the surface

• More m² = lower price per m² (economies of scale).
• Small spaces (bathrooms, toilets) have relatively high costs per m².

3. New construction or renovation

• New construction: underfloor heating can easily be integrated into the floor structure.
• Renovation: additional work such as milling, leveling, or dry construction makes the project more expensive.

4. Installation Method

• Grooving: most economical method for existing cement floors.
• Build-up system: requires a new screed, more expensive.
• Dry construction: ideal for wooden floors or quick renovations, but costs more per m².

5. Main heating or auxiliary heating

• Main heating: larger capacity, more groups and therefore higher investment.
• Auxiliary heating: limited system, cheaper installation and often electric.

6. Insulation and preparatory work

• Extra insulation to prevent heat loss: € 15 – € 40 per m².
• Leveling the floor after milling: € 10 – € 20 per m².

7. Control and home automation

• Basic thermostat: usually included.
• Smart control: additional costs (€ 100 – € 300 per room and € 500 – € 1,500 for a central unit), but more efficient in use.

8. Type of floor covering

• Tiles, natural stone, PVC and poured floors: optimal for heat output.
• Wood or carpet: special measures and additional costs may apply.

9. Heat source

• Central heating boiler, heat pump or district heating: partly determines the connection and running costs.

10. Installer and quality

• An experienced installer prevents errors and works more efficiently.
• Comparing quotes via jeofferte.nl can make a significant difference in price and quality.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The main cost factors are the type of system, the size of the room, and the situation (new construction or renovation).
With good preparation and by comparing multiple quotes, for example via jeofferte.nl, significant savings are possible.