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Get a handle on underfloor heating costs and you will have a low-maintenance, user-friendly heating system that’ll keep your home cosy throughout the winter months. A well-installed setup can deliver excellent efficiency, too, and potentially even save money on energy bills.

Once limited to the domain of big budget self-builds and renovations, underfloor heating (UFH) is now considered a must-have feature for many home improvement projects. A plethora of products and systems are available to suit a range of scenarios, whether you want to lay UFH throughout the property or simply fit it as part of a bathroom refurb. With so many diverse solutions available, you can choose a more tailored setup that matches your requirements perfectly – without having to blow the entire budget for your project.

Of course, the amount you’ll spend on installation, running costs and maintenance will be affected by various factors. For example, are you planning to fit electric or water-based underfloor heating? Is the system being laid in an airtight new build home, or a period property that doesn’t have the same level of insulation?

‘Underfloor heating costs vary depending on the type of installation and also the size of the property. Budget anything from £20-£60 per m2 for supply only, with a similar figure again for installation,’ says Matt Densham from Robbens. ‘Typically, UFH is very cost-effective in a new build and becomes more expensive in a retrofit scenario.’

Underfloor heating installation costs

Image credit: Robbens

These are the things to consider:

Heat loss calculation When designing your underfloor heating system and putting together a detailed spec, your installer should conduct a room-by-room heat loss calculation. This will ensure you get the right product that reflects the unique requirements of your home.

Supply and labour costs You’ll need to factor in supply costs and labour costs for installing your UFH system. Though some electric-powered products aren’t beyond the realms of possibility for a competent DIYer to install, especially if you’re only laying the system in one room, bringing in a professional will always deliver the best results.

‘You can expect to pay between £200 and £300 per day in labour costs,’ says Luciana Kola, marketing manager at Uponor UK. ‘You will also need to call out a qualified electrician to connect the system to your power supply, which takes a few hours and costs will vary here, too.’

System design ‘For supply of a system design/layout plan, plus the full futureproof system and its components, costs start from about £36 per m2,’ says Tom Edmunds, general manager at Wunda Group. ‘Unfortunately, if a quote sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’

The type of system When it comes to installation costs, electrically powered systems have the edge over water-based arrangements, as they’re swift and straightforward to fit. However, while a warm water system means spending more at the outset, this needs to be balanced against the fact that it comes with lower running costs in the long term.

Electric systems can be especially cost-effective for small areas. For instance, when installed in a 4m2 bathroom, Warmup’s loose wire setup is priced around £470 + VAT (warmup.co.uk). This sum also encompasses insulation and a thermostat. For a larger space, a sticky mat (comprising electrically warmed cables), may be the smarter solution. For a room measuring 10m2, Warmup’s StickyMat Underfloor Heater would be priced at approximately £511.66 + VAT, with an additional £264.24 for insulation and £189.16 + VAT for Warmup’s 4iE Smart Thermostat.

The type of property Laying the pipework for UFH in a new home is typically more straightforward than in a renovation scenario. The extra work will, of course, will add to your overall labour costs.

Registered fitters When it comes to tracking down the best tradesperson for the job, find out whether your UFH supplier has its own Registered Installer scheme. This can be a good place to start, as it will provide a national database of skilled professionals who have experience fitting the products you’re using.

Asking a few key questions will allow you to determine whether you’ve chosen a competent professional for the job. For example, will your installer programme the controls for the system, including the thermostat, manifold and boiler? For a water-based system, will they pressure test the pipework before your screed and floor covering are laid?

There are a few key red flags to look out for during the installation process, too. A poorly-fitted system will often lead to poor performance, higher running costs and potentially even maintenance issues later. Make sure the pipes are laid at neat, regular intervals – conduits laid out with irregular spacing will not create the same even spread of heat across the surface of your floor.

Underfloor heating running costs

Image credit: Wunda

When it comes to totting up the usage, you will need to think about:

Efficient installation The key factor to bear in mind with running costs, is that a poorly fitted system can lead to patchy heat output. In turn, this may require you to turn up the temperature on your thermostat or have the heating turned on for longer. This will lead to higher running costs overall, so it’s important to your installation right from the start.

Underfloor vs conventional An efficient underfloor heating can offer significantly lower running costs than a conventional central heating system. ‘This is because UFH runs at a lower temperature than radiators, yet still produces the same level of warmth in the room,’ says Luciana from Uponor. ‘Radiators need to be heated to a higher temperature (between 65°C and 75°C) to warm a room effectively, whereas UFH only needs to run at a temperature of 29°C or less, thereby consuming less energy and keeping your energy bills far lower.’

Electric or water systems Electric UFH can cost as much as three to four times more than a warm water fed system, purely because the cost of electricity is more than natural gas per kWh. That being said, if you’re only installing electric UFH in a bathroom, it might be the best option as the associated running costs (as you’re not using it to heat the whole house) aren’t so prohibitive.

According to data provided by Nu-Heat, a 10m2 room heated by electric UFH will cost £224 per year compared to £45 per year for electric. For a 30m2 room, an electric powered system will cost £672 to run, compared to £134. These running costs are based on a standard electricity price of £0.14 per kWh and a domestic gas price of £0.028 per kWh.

Smart thermostats Using an effective system to control your UFH will help keep running costs to a minimum. Smart thermostats, for instance, can help prevent energy wastage by making sure your heating is only running when it’s needed. Plus, this setup also gives you access to remote management of your system, so if you decide to go to a restaurant rather than coming home for dinner, you can adjust the heating settings via smartphone. Some devices, like Warmup’s 4iE Smart Thermostat, provide user-friendly energy monitoring functionality which can also pave the way for energy savings.

Insulation Minimising heat loss through your floors is another way to keep running costs to a minimum. ‘Incorporating insulating boards can boost the warm-up period for your system, and reduce running costs by up to 50%,’ says Sarah Wazir, marketing executive at Warmup.

Underfloor heating maintenance costs

Image credit: Dzmitry Sokalau/Alamy Stock Photo

Wondering about the ongoing upkeep? Here’s what to consider:

• Regular inspection – Underfloor heating requires very little upkeep, as there are few moving parts contained within the system. ‘It is recommended that your heating engineer inspects the manifold every year, along with your boiler,’ says Matt from Robbens. ‘You may need to replace the pump every five to ten years (at Robbens, currently priced at £106.06) and the actuator heads (at Robbens, currently priced at £14.73) every 10 to 15 years. Over 10 years, I’d estimate you’ll need to spend approximately £250 on spare parts to fully maintain your UFH system.’
• Warranty – Check whether the installation is covered by any kind of warranty. This may cover the costs should any components fail within a specified period, providing your system has been fitted by one of the manufacturer’s approved installers. If you like to know exactly how much you’re going to be spending on maintenance. Typically, this type of contractual agreement will include an annual service of your heating system, plus cover in case an emergency callout is required. Prices vary, starting at around £20 per month.

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With constant use, it can be hard to keep our sofas spick and span, free from crumbs, dust and grubby marks. You’ve chosen what you consider the best sofa, but with kids clambering over them, pets sleeping on top of them, and many of us preferring a trays-on-laps dinner scenario every now and again, it’s no surprise that they don’t stay looking as fresh as the day we bought them.

Not to fear though, as we’re channeling our Mrs Hinch with this ‘How to Clean Your Sofa’ guide that tells you all you need to know. Whether your ideal living room sofa idea a beautifully squishy fabric sofa, a luxurious velvet design or sophisticated leather, we’ve found the best ways to keep any sofa clean enough to eat your dinner off of – literally!

How to clean a sofa

When it comes to sofa cleaning, it’s not a ‘one rule fits all’ situation. A lot of it will depend on the fabric that your sofa is made of and whether you have loose or fitted covers, so make sure to check the label to see what type of cleaning products you can use (solvent or water based) and how best to wash them.

There’s some controversy as to whether sofa covers should or shouldn’t be washed in a washing machine, with many finding that the covers don’t go on the same afterwards or look out of shape. Generally manufacturers say ‘dry clean only’ to avoid such outcomes. However there are those who swear by putting loose covers in the washer on a wool wash – saying they come up like new. It’s a case of how brave you feel about washing your own sofa covers.

Image credit: Future PLC

Regular maintenance is also key when it comes to keeping your sofa clean, so hoovering or brushing it on a weekly basis will help keep it looking its best and avoid any accumulating dirt dulling its colour or wearing the fabric.

It’s also wise to deal with any spills immediately, dabbing them with a paper towel or soft cloth to soak it up, rather than rubbing at it, which can push the spill deeper into the fabric.

Let’s take a look at the different sofa fabrics, and how to clean the upholstery…

How to clean a leather sofa

Image credit: Future PLC

Leather sofas are often chosen for their durability and easy wipe-clean material, but how can you ensure your model stays in good condition?

1. Give it a vacuum

First, remove any dirt by giving your leather upholstery a good vacuum, using the brush attachment if you have one to avoid scratching the material.

2. Wipe away dust

Use a clean cloth to remove any build-up of dust – it’s best not to use water or a cleaning agent as some types of leather can be delicate and stain.

3. Use a specialist leather cleaner

Gently wipe your sofa, using a circular motion, with a leather cleaner. ‘A specialist conditioner from a quality care kit will help to clean and condition your sofa, reviving the sheen of the leather and preserving its soft suppleness,’ says Suzy McMahon, buying director at Sofology. ‘To prevent the leather losing its colour or from becoming dry, apply this conditioner twice a year.’

How to clean a fabric sofa

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

Fabric sofas can be easier to clean than you think, no matter how light in colour the covers – including neutral and grey sofa living room ideas.

1. Clean any surface dirt

Start by removing throws and cushions, checking down the sides and back for any loose change or sweet wrappers, etc, then give your sofa a vacuum using the upholstery attachment. Make sure to vacuum the seams and any crevices, and repeat on all your cushions.

2. Check the label

Before you start cleaning the covers, make sure you check the label to see what products you can use on your sofa.

• W means you can only use a water-based cleaner. S or P means it can only be cleaned with solvents (dry-clean only).
• SW or WS means that you can use either a water-based detergent or solvent cleaner. A steam cleaner will be fine to use, too.
• Finally, X means that you can’t use any water or detergent on the surface – get it professionally cleaned instead.

If your sofa allows, wipe down the cushions with a clean, damp cloth to remove any dust and dirt, and stop any staining.

3. Remove any stains or smells

There are some easy home remedies that will help remove stains and spills. Firstly, white vinegar is a great natural stain remover for most types of upholstery. Use it to blot the stain with an equal parts water and vinegar solution, then wipe the stain away gently using a microfibre cloth (only use a new cloth or make sure it’s completely clean). Follow this up with a mixture of mild detergent and tepid water to remove any lingering vinegar smell and leave it to dry naturally.

Baking soda is good for removing any unwanted sofa smells – apply a sprinkling of it to the area, leave it for 15-20 minutes and then vacuum clean it.

4. Give it a steam clean

Cleaning expert and Instagram sensation Lynsey Queen of Clean swears by a steam cleaner for keeping her sofa in tip-top condition. ‘I steam clean mine with a handheld steamer,’ Lynsey explains. ‘What steam will do is it will refresh it. It will kill any germs and bacteria that’s in the sofa. And if there are any stains on there, it will help the stain lift,’ she adds.

Sadly, the steam cleaner may not remove the stain completely and you will need to go back over it with a stain removal product, but it will refresh your sofa no end.

How to clean a velvet sofa

Image credit: Future PLC

It used to be the case that velvet was a no-go for anyone with pets and/or small children, but these days, easy-care fabric (most are no longer silk based) makes it easy for us to enjoy having a luxurious finish without the hassle of ridding it of marks.

1. Remove dirt and dust

Gentle vacuuming is key for cleaning a velvet sofa, so use slow circular motions to rid it of any debris. Another alternative is to use a lint roller instead, which does the job quickly and easily – however you’ll still need a vacuum for those under-cushion and hard-to-get-to areas.

2. Give it a brush

You can buy soft metallic brushes that are  designed specifically for velvet, and these are great for maintaining your sofa’s sheen. Be sure to brush in the direction of the pile.

3. Treat it to steam

If your sofa allows (you’ll need to check the label to see if you can use water on your sofa), use a handheld steamer to prevent marks and creases. Use it on a low setting and move the steamer constantly to keep it from staying on any one spot for too long and damaging the fabric.

Image credit: Sofa.com

How do I clean sofa stains?

‘Speed is key when it comes to spills and stains,’ says Sofology’s Suzy McMahon. ‘Try to remove the stain as soon as you notice it by blotting with water and paper towels and avoid rubbing the fabric, as this will likely spread the colour. Use a solution of soapy water and a clean white towel to blot until you’ve removed the colour. ‘

‘To avoid water marks after cleaning we advise that you dampen a colourfast cloth with boiled water from a kettle and gently wipe the entire panel or cushion from seam to seam. This will help to prevent any water stains as the fabric dries.’  

How often should you clean a sofa?

Until you spill something or a stain mysteriously appears, it can be easy to ignore upholstery cleaning, however given how often your sofa is used and how much hidden dirt and dust can build up, it’s good to give it a freshen up each week if you can, to keep it looking its best. A quick vacuum will rid it of any dust or dirt that could, over time, dull your sofa’s colour and affect the material.

‘There’s no denying sofas require regular maintenance, and no matter how hard you try to keep your  brand-new  sofa looking as spotless as the day it came home, it’s inevitable some pesky stains will show up over time,’ says Sofa.com‘s Patricia Gibbons. ‘You often won’t have to do the whole top-to-toe deep clean, but we recommend lots of spot cleaning and opting for fabric protection to help your sofa keep its new, fresh look.’

The post How to clean a sofa – handy cleaning tips to spruce up your seating appeared first on Ideal Home.

If you’re looking for the best chopping board, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve been busy chopping away to bring you our complete top picks of the best boards and butcher’s blocks for meat, veggies, and fresh fruits. Even if you want a more glamourous chopping board, worthy of being displayed on a cheese and wine night, we think you’ll find something beautiful in our guide. We were also putting the best knife sets to the test when preparing this expert guide. See what we did there?

The best chopping board is one of those items that will be used on a daily basis in your kitchen, so it’s a decision you want to get right. While they’re not always expensive, we do think that a chopping board is worth investing in. Consider the material you want, wood or plastic? You should also give the size you need some thought, so you’re not left short on space when carving a large Sunday roast. Keep in mind though that a large chopping board will take up plenty of space in your kitchen.

1. Smidge Dice Chopping Board

Best chopping board overall

Material: Paper
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Size: 36 x 28cm
Reason to buy: Eco-friendly and easy to use
Reason to avoid: None!

The Smidge Dice Chopping Board has stood the test of time in our small appliance editor’s kitchen. It’s made of sustainably sourced recycled paper and can still go through the dishwasher, just like a plastic chopping board.

By using paper fiber the boards balance long-lasting design with a soft enough surface to not damage your knives with prolonged use. Because it’s safe up to 240°C, you could even place the Smidge board in the oven while it’s keeping your food warm.

Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5

2. Salter BW07176 Bamboo Chopping Board

Best chopping board for protecting your counters

Material: Bamboo
Dishwasher-safe? No
Size:38 x 32cm
Reason to buy: Lip to prevent slipping and protect counters
Reason to avoid: Storage is tricky

Some kitchens would benefit from a permanent chopping board on the counters. The Salter BW07176 Bamboo Chopping Board has a reversible design with a lip at either edge. This will hook it onto the edge of your kitchen counters to prevent it from slipping and keep the material safe from any damage.

Because it’s quite large, the Salter BW07176 Bamboo Chopping Board is best used on a daily basis. Particularly for carving bread and chopping salad, it will definitely deliver on day-to-day tasks. We don’t recommend using it for raw meat because that would mean it requires very regular cleaning, but we enjoy the look and sturdy design.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5

3. OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Everyday Cutting Board Set

Best plastic chopping board

Material: Plastic
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Size: 32.5 x 22.9 cm
Reason to buy: Colour-coded and extra grippy
Reason to avoid: On the smaller side

While we’re all making efforts to move away from plastic consumption, a plastic chopping board is something that will get continuous and prolonged use in your kitchen. This set from OXO is dishwasher-safe, and we love the grippy corners that will prevent the boards from slipping when in use. Each board has a drainage channel to catch liquids from tomatoes or meat.

There are three colours in this set, making it easy to colour code and prevent cross-contamination. This set is very easy to clean thanks to the dishwasher-safe design, and storage is also easy given that there are three boards. However, they are all a little on the small side for larger tasks.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5

4. Typhoon World Foods End Grain Acacia Block

Best chopping board for displaying

Material: Wood
Dishwasher-safe? No
Size: 32.5 x 22.9 cm
Reason to buy: Excellent for serving and displaying
Reason to avoid: Very thick and weighty

The Typhoon World Foods End Grain Acacia Block is very budget-friendly given the quality. With a thick wooden design that would work well as a cheese board or for serving the centrepiece of your Sunday roast, it’s definitely a looker.

We love the wooden design, which will be soft on knives but still very sturdy. At 3cm thick though, it won’t be the easiest to store. To make it last as long as possible, consider varnishing it to keep the quality of the wood intact.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5

5. Judge Non-Slip Cutting Board

Best small chopping board

Material: Plastic
Dishwasher-safe? Yes
Size: 19 x 14 cm / 25 x 20cm
Reason to buy: Very grippy, and perfect for travel
Reason to avoid: Not versatile

If you want a small chopping board, look no further than the Judge Non-Slip Cutting Board. It’s a great option for portability. You can take it in a campervan or on a camping trip, or put it in a chef’s kitchen. Even as something to chop lemons and limes on a minibar, the Judge Non-Slip Cutting Board will serve you well.

The underside of the chopping board is very grippy, so it won’t go anywhere while you’re chopping. It can also go in the dishwasher, which makes it very low-maintenance.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5

6. Our Place Walnut Cutting Board

Best butcher block 

Material: Walnut
Dishwasher-safe? No
Size: 43.2 x 30.5 cm
Reason to buy: Smart space-saving design, beautiful finish
Reason to avoid: Very premium

The Our Place Walnut Cutting Board can be stood on its side, which makes storing this butcher’s block a lot easier. It has grooved sides that are very tactile and easy to carry. They act as indent handles. There is also a slanting indent that will collect juices and liquids at one end of the board which will make draining easier. The deep trench will hold 2/3 of a cup of juice.

We love the walnut design, which is beautiful all over. The board is made of American black walnut wood and is indented with that classic Our Place logo you’ll know and love from some of the best non-stick frying pans.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5

7. Judge Kitchen Bamboo Chopping Board

Best lightweight chopping board

Material: Bamboo
Dishwasher-safe? No
Size: 21 x 31 cm
Reason to buy: 2-year guarantee, very lightweight
Reason to avoid: No drainage channels

A budget-friendly and lightweight option, the Judge Kitchen Bamboo Chopping Board is a great choice for those who want something neat and easy to store. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and non-porous so this will be a great choice for a long-lasting design. To back that up, Judge will guarantee it for 24 months from purchase.

This chopping board is a great size for most purposes, but it does lack drainage channels for carving meat or chopping fruit.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5

How we decided the best chopping boards

Each and every one of the best chopping boards in this guide has been tested by our cookware editor, Millie Fender, in her own kitchen. In order to recommend products to you, we put them to the test in our day-to-day lives to see how they held up against day-to-day use and wear and tear.

Everything from weight and design to ease of use and safety features were taken into account, so whether you’re after a chopping board for safely and hygienically cutting meat or for serving a cheese board, there’s something here for you.

How to care for a wooden chopping board

Every chopping board needs to be cared for, but there’s no denying that wooden models are harder to look after. If you care for them well though, they will last for years and years.

1. Wash, don’t soak! 

Be sure to scrub your wooden chopping boards regularly, but don’t soak them in the water. That will cause them to become misshapen and even crack.

2. Dry ASAP

Don’t let your chopping boards drain dry, give them a wipe to prevent water from absorbing into the wood. This will prevent the wooden surface from becoming damaged over time.

3. Oil it regularly

Oiling your wooden chopping board will keep it shiny and new, as well as build up a resistance to water absorption. Buy a neutral wood oil online and give your board a generous coating. Once it’s absorbed fully, your board should be good as new.

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