Radiators have been the default in UK homes for decades. But electric underfloor heating is catching up fast, and for good reason. If you're renovating, building new, or just sick of cold spots and bulky radiators taking up wall space, here's an honest comparison of both options.
The Quick Comparison
| Underfloor Heating | Radiators | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat distribution | Even warmth across entire floor | Hot near radiator, cold across the room |
| Running cost | ~44p/day for a 10m² average room | £800-£1,200/year (gas boiler) |
| Installation | DIY (electrician for final connection) | Plumber needed |
| Maintenance | None | Annual service, bleeding, repairs |
| Warranty | 15 years | Boiler: 5-10 years |
| Wall space | Zero impact | Takes up wall space in every room |
| Warm-up time | 3-15 min (depends on floor type) | 15-30 min |
| Room control | Individual room zones | TRVs (limited control) |
Heat Distribution
This is the biggest practical difference. A radiator heats the air around it, which rises to the ceiling and then drops as it cools. The result: warm heads, cold feet, and uneven temperatures across the room. You often feel cold despite the thermostat reading 21°C.
Underfloor heating works the opposite way. Heat rises evenly from the entire floor surface. Your feet are warm. The air temperature is consistent from one side of the room to the other. Most people find they can set the thermostat 2-3°C lower than with radiators and still feel more comfortable.
Running Costs
The Ribbon only draws power for about a quarter of each hour it's on, so a 10 m² room works out around 44p a day in an average home, and close to nothing once the home is well insulated.
A gas boiler and radiator system for an average UK home costs £800-£1,200 per year. On top of that, you're paying £80-£150 for an annual boiler service, and eventually £2,000-£4,000 for a replacement boiler.
Electric underfloor heating gives you room-by-room control via smart thermostats. You only heat the rooms you're using. With radiators and a single boiler, you're heating the whole house even if you're only in the living room.
Try the numbers yourself: Use the EkoBuild running cost calculator to see exactly what your rooms would cost to heat.
Installation
Electric underfloor Ribbon heating rolls out and tapes down. At just 1.8mm thick, it sits under your floor covering without raising the floor level. Most people install it as a DIY project during a renovation. The only professional help you need is a qualified electrician for the final connection to the thermostat.
Radiators need a plumber, copper piping, and a boiler. New radiator installations in an existing house are disruptive: lifting floorboards, routing pipes through walls, and making good afterwards. It's a multi-day job.
Maintenance
Electric underfloor heating has no moving parts. Nothing to service. Nothing to bleed. Nothing to break down on the coldest night of the year. EkoBuild Ribbon comes with a 15-year warranty.
Radiators need regular bleeding to remove air pockets. The boiler needs an annual service (legally required for gas safety). Pumps fail. Valves seize. Pipes can freeze and burst. The average boiler lasts 10-15 years before needing replacement.
Space and Aesthetics
Underfloor heating is invisible. No radiators on the walls means complete freedom with your furniture layout. No working around awkward radiator positions. No radiator covers. No paint peeling off old cast iron.
In smaller rooms like bathrooms and hallways, the space saved by removing a radiator can be significant. You get your walls back.
Comfort
There's a reason underfloor heating is standard in Scandinavian homes: it's simply more comfortable. Warm floors feel better underfoot. No draughts. No hot spots. No cold corridors between heated rooms.
Underfloor heating also reduces dust circulation compared to radiators, which constantly move air around the room. If anyone in your household has allergies or asthma, that's worth knowing.
When You Need 70% Coverage
For electric underfloor heating to work as your primary heat source (replacing radiators entirely), you need at least 70% floor coverage in each room. That means 70% of the floor area has Ribbon heating under it, excluding areas under fixed furniture like kitchen units or fitted wardrobes.
80% coverage or higher is ideal. If a room falls below 70%, you can top up with an EkoBuild infrared panel (£249, made to order) rather than keeping a radiator.
Use the Room Designer to plan your layout and check your coverage percentage.
When Radiators Still Make Sense
Electric underfloor heating isn't the right answer for every situation. If you have a very old, poorly insulated property with solid stone walls and no prospect of improving the insulation, radiators connected to a high-output boiler might still be the practical choice. The heat loss in those buildings can be too high for underfloor heating alone.
But for most UK homes built after the 1930s, and especially for new builds and renovations where insulation is being improved, underfloor heating is the better long-term investment.
The Verdict
If you're renovating or building new, electric underfloor heating wins on nearly every measure: more even heat, lower running costs, zero maintenance, more space, and better comfort. The upfront cost is comparable to a new boiler and radiator system, but the ongoing costs are lower and the lifespan is longer.
The easiest way to start is a single room. A bathroom kit at £299 lets you experience the difference before committing to a whole house.
See the Difference for Yourself
Start with one room or plan the whole house. We'll help you work out the best approach.