What factors affect the upfront cost of ThermoSphere Mesh underfloor heating?

If you’ve been considering adding ThermoSphere Mesh electric underfloor heating to your home, one of the biggest questions on your mind is probably: “What will it actually cost me to install?”

The short answer: it depends. While the mats themselves are relatively straightforward in price, the total installation cost can vary significantly depending on your project.

In this article, we’ll break down the key factors that influence cost so you can plan your budget with confidence.

Room size and layout

The most obvious factor is room size. The bigger the space you need to heat, the more of it you're going to need to buy. Simple right? WRONG.

Well not really, I'm being a bit dramatic. But there are definitely nuances to be aware of:

• Large, square rooms can work out to be cheaper per m² because mats can be rolled out fully with less cutting waste.
• Small or irregular rooms can require multiple smaller mats or more cutting, bringing additional time and cost.
• Fixed furniture can mean a more intricate fitting, with more to cut around. Planning for things like sinks and toilets will mean possible extra cost.

For example, a 10m² kitchen could cost less per m² than a 3m² en-suite bathroom when considering things like cutting around any furniture or fixtures, using multiple smaller mats.  

Wattage selection (100W, 150W or 200W)    

ThermoSphere Mesh mats are available in different wattage outputs:

• 100W per m²: Lower upfront cost, perfect for well insulated modern homes or as a secondary heat source. 
• 150W per m²: The most common and most popular. 
• 200W per m²: Slightly more expensive but provides faster warm up times and is typically used in colder rooms or older properties.

Ensure you choose the correct wattage for your room based on how you are going to use the space and how well insulated it is.

Floor finish

Different floor finishes affect underfloor heating installation costs because of the extra preparation and specialist methods some materials require.

High density finishes like tile and stone are generally the simplest, since they conduct heat well and can be fixed with standard flexible adhesives, so little extra labour is needed. Timber and laminate floors however, expand and contract with temperature changes so installers must allow for movement with expansion gaps, if using a mesh underfloor heating, then a 10mm self-levelling compound is needed to spread the heat. Vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles require specialist adhesives that can withstand heat and will also need a 10mm self-levelling compound applied beforehand, increasing both labour and drying time. Carpet may seem simple but it requires UFH-rated underlay rather than standard foam or rubber, it also, needs to be under 2.5TOG rating. It also needs careful fitting to stay within thickness limits, which raises cost. Poured concrete and resin floors involve the most labour because they need precise screed preparation, curing and joint detailing around the heating system, making them significantly more time intensive to install. We would always recommend checking with your flooring supplier, to ensure the floor finish you have is UFH suitable.

As with most things, an install that takes more time and requires a higher level of skill will usually cost more. This isn't to say that you shouldn't put electric underfloor heating underneath any of these floor types, it's just something to bear in mind when budgeting for a job.

Subfloor preparation & insulation

This section is pretty self explanatory. Whilst insulation boards are optional, we HIGHLY recommend that you include them in your project. They're optional in the same way that music is optional at a party. Installing directly onto a cold concrete base without insulation means heat is wasted downwards, increasing both running costs and warm-up times.

• Insulation Board Cost: £11 – £16 per m²
• Benefit: Reduce heat loss and running costs by up to 50%
• Result: Faster warm-up, lower bills and longer lifespan for your system

But insulation isn’t the only consideration:

• Stability & floor assessment: The subfloor must be solid, level and clean. Any cracks, loose boards or uneven spots should be fixed before installation.

• Moisture barriers (for concrete): A damp subfloor can damage both your insulation and heating system. Installing a moisture barrier where needed protects the system and flooring above.

• Timber subfloors: If you’re working with timber, check for deflection or movement — stability is key. In some cases, additional support or specialist insulation boards are recommended.

Bottom line: Skipping prep may save a little upfront, but a well-prepared subfloor ensures your heating system runs efficiently and safely. Making any changes that need to be made prior to installation do come attached with a cost but you will feel the benefit for years to come.

Thermostat choice

Thermostats are another area of your project where you may be tempted to try and save some money. Whilst your thermostat doesn't need to be able to fly or be made of solid gold, there are certain features that we should consider important when considering cost:

• Is it easy to use?
• Is there remote access? (e.g. an app)
• Is there zonal control?

There are several different types of thermostats available on the market, but they generally fall into two categories: manual and programmable.

Manual thermostats — essentially an on/off switch with a temperature dial — are the cheapest to buy. However, they are not suitable for use with primary heating systems, as they often do not meet the requirements of the Lot 20 regulations (the Ecodesign standards that apply to electric space heaters and their controls in the UK and EU).

Programmable thermostats offer far more control. Like a boiler programmer, they allow you to set heating schedules so your system switches on and off automatically at the times you choose, as well as the specific room temperatures you want to maintain. For underfloor heating, programmable thermostats come in several forms, including standard programmable models, Bluetooth-controlled versions and Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, which allow for app control and smart integration.

To give you some examples:

ThermoSphere offers several thermostat models, the latest being the brand new T-MO thermostat (T-MO1/T-MO1B). T-MO is designed with a single objective, making it easy for installers. It offers remote setup and support, copy and paste scheduling and has an upgraded warranty due to its ZeroX technology. It will sit at around £110-£130, make sure you register your interest today.

The Programmable thermostat (SCP-W-01) is the bread-and-butter, offering easy 7 day scheduling, adaptive-start learning, ambient and floor temperature sensing plus an automatic open-window sensor. It's robust, self-reliant and reasonably priced at around £100-£115 ex VAT. Its main drawback is the lack of remote control or smart-home integrations, limiting flexibility for users who want app or voice control.

The Bluetooth Programmable thermostat (BT21) adds app-based setup in under a minute, plus you can “copy & paste” settings to multiple units, ideal for streamlining larger installs. It typically costs £100–£120 ex VAT. Its disadvantage is that being Bluetooth-only, it lacks remote access when you're out of range.

Finally, the Dual Control thermostat (DC-W-01/DC-B-01) combines underfloor heating control with a second switched output (e.g., towel rail or demister), includes window-open detection and features adaptive-start learning. Costing £120-£130 ex VAT, it also offers flexible orientation options and aesthetic customisation. Its drawback is the more complex wiring and higher power-handling requirements due to the second relay—this can complicate installation, especially for high-load circuits.

Labour & installation

Labour costs vary depending on whether you go DIY or professional. I can't speak for every labourer ever, different companies and sole traders will all have their own way of pricing up jobs, but from what we've seen the average costs are as follows:

DIY (with electrician sign-off):

• You lay the mats and insulation yourself
• Electrician final connection: £100–£200

Professional installation:

• Labour: typically £200 – £400 per room
• More for complex layouts or multiple zones (see section 1)

Important: UK regulations require a qualified electrician to complete and certify the final electrical connection. This means that you can only DIY up to this point. It is important not only for registering your warranty with us, but also for, you know, avoiding house fires etc. Simple things.

Key takeaways

The cost of installing ThermoSphere Mesh underfloor heating depends on a wider variety of things. For a more detailed look at the numbers, find out 'How much Mesh mat underfloor heating costs'.

When budgeting, keep in mind:

• Room size and shape
• Wattage choice
• Floor finish
• Subfloor preparation and insulation
• Thermostat type
• Labour (DIY vs professional)

While upfront costs can range from £500 for a small bathroom to £1,500+ for a larger kitchen, the long-term comfort and energy savings make it a worthwhile investment.  

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Questions?

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