The main advice for anybody building or renovating a property is to make certain that the project stays on, or ideally, under budget.

With certain products the initial decision is critical. Underfloor heating is a good example of this, if the wrong choice is made based on inaccurate information it can be either impossible or very expensive to make a system change later on. So fully understanding what you are buying and the true cost is essential.

It’s important to make valid comparisons between products and look at the total cost of a system – not just the initial outlay – but all the associated costs as well.

System & Hidden Costs
The system cost is the supply cost for all the components required to complete an underfloor heating system. However, there are some important things to consider:

- Are you comparing quotes accurately?

Whenever Nu-Heat quotes for an underfloor heating system everything that is required is included in the bottom line price; including edge insulation, thermostats and even a pen to mark the specified zones on the heating pipe. Removing certain items from the total price can significantly affect the price that you think you are paying.

- Is the system design the most appropriate for your project?

Every property is different, from floor constructions through to the actual geographic location. A bespoke design is an essential requirement to maximize the performance and efficiency of the underfloor heating system. There is a huge difference in performance between an off-the-shelf and a bespoke solution.

Nu-Heat always comprehensively designs each system and guarantees that our underfloor heating system will perform efficiently and effectively.

Running costs
The running costs of a system can only be assessed when it’s actually working, so how can running costs from one system supplier to another be directly compared if they have to be installed first? Also, what direct comparison is there? Saying that a system is economical is the easiest thing in the world, proving it is a different matter.

Nu-Heat continually assesses the performance of every system supplied by sending our customers ‘system performance feedback forms’. These forms provide a selection of honest responses that we use as indicators to improve overall performance. We currently have an average rating of 9/10 for overall system effectiveness.

In support of this Nu-Heat also has a comprehensive product testing and development programme. A range of tests is routinely undertaken to guarantee the quality and performance of our systems. This testing program is not only in-house, we also supply systems for independent analysis by organizations such as BSRIA.

Installation costs
The cost of installing an underfloor heating system should be a major consideration when selecting a suitable supplier. One of the key factors in the design of a Nu-Heat system is the speed and simplicity with which it can be installed. A general understanding of how to correctly install a system is of critical importance.

Nu-Heat provides award winning manuals, DVDs and training to ensure that the installation process is always fully understood. Together with innovative products such as the Fastrack™ and ClippaPlate™ fixing systems, the overall installation cost of Nu-Heat underfloor heating can be much lower than other suppliers’ systems and roughly comparable to a traditional radiator system.

Service and quality costs
Customer service is not usually an item that you see priced on an invoice, but it’s something that you expect to always be there. With a Nu-Heat system our customers receive free and unlimited technical support from a team of industry experts.