Dan

Well, you sort of get what you pay for, the ribbon does run at a lower temperature but struggles to perform through tiles. It's primary design was for heating under carpet although it orks under both laminate/wood and tiles but for tiles you'd use a cable design and for laminate/wood you'd use the Carbon Heating Mat (do a google search for it).

So it depends on what you're using it for to be honest.

If it's under tiles though, cable every time.
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The running costs are all down to the stat too really. Get an Aube 132AF or a heatmiser stat and you'll find their contolling system is ****hot so it's never on when it doesn't need to be.

Ribbon sellers generally push the sale based on the low runing temperature but I've personaly found no benefit with it.