Both can provide primary heating when properly designed. Compare room heat loss, installation, electricity use and hot water before deciding. EkoBuild supplies ribbon underfloor heating; this guide helps you assess the alternatives.
A house’s age alone does not rule out a heat pump. A competent installer should assess heat loss, heat emitters, controls and the available space. Insulation reduces heat demand for either system. Ask for a room-by-room design and itemised installation quote.
Heat pumps transfer heat from outside; electric ribbon produces heat directly in the floor. Compare expected electricity use for the same room temperatures and heating demand. A heat pump’s seasonal efficiency matters, as do the tariff and how the system is controlled. Read Energy Saving Trust’s heat-pump guidance.
| Factor | Air-to-water heat pump | EkoBuild electric ribbon |
|---|---|---|
| Heat delivery | Water-fed radiators or underfloor heating | Electric heating mats beneath suitable flooring |
| Hot water | Can also heat a compatible hot-water cylinder | Separate hot-water provision needed |
| Installation | Outdoor unit and designed water/electrical connections | Floor build-up, controls and electrical connections |
| Running costs | Depend on heat demand, seasonal efficiency and tariff | Depend on heat demand, fitted output, controls and tariff |
| Solar or battery | Can be combined with either | Can be combined with either |
| Care | Follow the manufacturer’s servicing requirements | Follow the installation, testing and control guidance |
Checked 26 September 2026: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales offers £7,500 towards eligible air-to-water or ground-source heat pumps. Until March 2027, a further £1,500 is available for qualifying oil/LPG-heated properties without a mains gas connection. Off-grid homes are therefore not automatically excluded.
Eligibility and installation standards still apply. Ask an MCS-certified installer and check the current grant amounts and property eligibility before committing. These grants are not an offer on EkoBuild’s electric mats.
A single whole-house price or payback period cannot cover every property. Compare complete quotes, including preparation, controls, electrical work, hot water and any emitter changes.
For ribbon, use the Room Designer to plan available whole mats and their current stock price. Coverage alone does not establish primary-heating suitability: confirm room heat loss and the floor build-up before removing existing heating.
Bring your room measurements and flooring details to the comparison.