When planning a new home or renovation, you’ll likely get multiple quotes for floor heating. And if you’re like most people, you might be tempted to go with the cheapest option—after all, heating is heating, right?
🚨 Wrong.
A cheap floor heating system may save you money upfront, but it can end up costing you thousands more in energy bills, repairs, and inefficient heating over time.
In this article, we’ll break down:
✔ Where cheaper floor heating systems cut corners
✔ How this affects your comfort and running costs
✔ What to look for in a properly designed system
By the end, you’ll know how to spot red flags in a cheap quote—and make sure your heating system is built to last.
The 5 Hidden Costs of Cheap Floor Heating Systems
1. Poor System Design – Leads to Uneven Heating and Higher Bills
A well-designed floor heating system isn’t just about laying pipes under the floor—it requires precise calculations to ensure:
✔ Every room gets the right amount of heat.
✔ Heat is distributed evenly—no hot or cold spots.
✔ The system runs efficiently without wasting energy.
🚨 What happens with cheap systems?
❌ Generic pipe layouts—no calculations, just a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
❌ Poor heat source sizing—leading to slow warm-up times or high energy use.
❌ No consideration for zoning—forcing you to heat the whole house, even when you only need one room warm.
🔹 The result? Higher running costs and a system that never quite feels warm enough.
✅ How to avoid this: Ensure your installer performs a full heat load calculation and customizes the system for your home.
2. No or Low-Quality Insulation – Causes Heat Loss and Wasted Energy
One of the most important factors in floor heating efficiency is insulation. Without it, up to 80% of your heat can be lost into the ground, meaning your system has to work twice as hard to keep your home warm.
🚨 What happens with cheap systems?
❌ No under-slab insulation—heat escapes downward instead of warming your home.
❌ No edge insulation—heat leaks out through the sides of the slab.
❌ Cheap or thin insulation—doesn’t provide enough thermal resistance.
🔹 The result? Higher energy bills and a heating system that struggles to keep up in winter.
✅ How to avoid this: Look for a system that includes 50mm+ XPS under-slab insulation and edge insulation around the perimeter.
3. Low-Quality Piping – Leads to Leaks and Costly Repairs
The pipes in your floor heating system are buried under your floors for life—so if they fail, fixing them means ripping up your flooring, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
🚨 What happens with cheap systems?
❌ Low-quality pipes that degrade over time, leading to leaks.
❌ Poor installation techniques—pipes not secured properly, leading to movement and damage.
❌ No pressure testing before concrete is poured—so small leaks go unnoticed until it’s too late.
🔹 The result? System failure in as little as 5–10 years, requiring major repairs.
✅ How to avoid this: Choose German or European-made PEX pipes with a 100+ year lifespan, and ensure the system is pressure-tested before concrete is poured.
4. Inefficient Heat Source – Causes High Running Costs
Your heat source (heat pump or boiler) is the engine of your floor heating system. If it’s undersized, low-efficiency, or poorly installed, you’ll end up with:
🚨 Massive power bills
🚨 Slow heat-up times
🚨 A system that struggles to heat your home properly
🚨 What happens with cheap systems?
❌ Cheap or undersized heat pumps—forcing them to run at full power, increasing energy use.
❌ Poor heat pump placement—bad ventilation causes overheating and reduced efficiency.
❌ Outdated gas boilers—using twice as much energy as modern alternatives.
🔹 The result? A heating system that costs far more to run than it should.
✅ How to avoid this: Choose a heat pump with a COP of 4.5+ (meaning it’s 450% efficient) and ensure proper ventilation and placement.
5. No Warranty or After-Sales Support – You’re on Your Own if Something Goes Wrong
Many budget installers cut corners on support and warranty coverage—so when something goes wrong, you’re left to deal with it yourself.
🚨 What happens with cheap systems?
❌ No long-term warranty—so when something breaks, you pay out of pocket.
❌ No servicing or support—leaving you to find a specialist if problems arise.
❌ No future-proofing—meaning the system might not work well with future energy upgrades like solar.
🔹 The result? More stress, higher repair costs, and no help when you need it.
✅ How to avoid this: Choose an installer that offers at least a 2-year installation warranty, plus long-term service and support.
Real Cost Comparison: Cheap System vs. Proper System Over 10 Years
At first glance, a cheap system looks like a bargain. But when you factor in higher running costs, repairs, and inefficiencies, the real cost becomes clear.
| System Type | Installation Cost | 10-Year Running Cost | Repair & Replacement Costs | Total Cost Over 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Floor Heating | $25,000 – $30,000 | $12,000 – $18,000 | $5,000+ | $42,000 – $53,000 |
| Properly Designed System | $40,000 – $50,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 | $0 – $2,000 | $44,000 – $59,000 |
🚨 The mistake many homeowners make?
Focusing only on installation cost, without considering how much the system will cost to run over its lifetime.
✅ A well-designed system pays for itself in energy savings—and lasts decades with minimal maintenance.
How to Avoid a Bad Floor Heating System
Before you choose a heating system, ask your installer these key questions:
✔ Have you done a heat load calculation to design the system properly?
✔ What kind of insulation do you include, and how thick is it?
✔ What type of pipes do you use, and what is their lifespan?
✔ What is the efficiency (COP) of the heat pump or boiler?
✔ What warranty and after-sales support do you provide?
🚨 If they can’t answer these questions clearly, walk away.
Final Thoughts – A Proper Floor Heating System Is Worth It
Choosing the cheapest floor heating system may seem like a smart move upfront, but over time, it can end up costing you far more in:
❌ Higher energy bills
❌ Expensive repairs
❌ Poor comfort and heating performance
If you’re investing in floor heating, it pays to do it right the first time.
At Euroheat Australia, we design floor heating systems for long-term comfort, efficiency, and cost savings—so you never have to worry about wasted energy or expensive mistakes.
📞 Thinking about floor heating for your home? Contact us today for expert advice and a custom system design that’s built to last!
