How Much Does Radiant Floor Heating Cost?

Radiant Heat Cost by Type

For residential settings, there are two main types:

1. Electric system installations cost from $1,760 for a 160 square foot master bathroom to around $16,500 for a 1,500 square foot house. Average price is $11 per square foot. Because it can be installed as mats, the installation cost is significantly less than a hydronic system.

2. Hydronic installations cost from $6 to $20 per square foot with an average of $13 per square foot. Operating costs are lower than electric systems because water conducts and holds heat very well, meaning there is less actual operating time.

The water heater will increase the price of installation, but will still be one of the more affordable radiant heat options. Installing a water heater costs $770 to $1,450. Boilers are far more expensive than water heaters and installing a boiler costs $3,500 to $7,700.

Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating Cost

Electric Radiant Floor Heat Cost

For a 2,400 square foot house, electric radiant floor heat setups cost $19,000 to $36,000 for all parts and professional installation. For individual rooms and smaller areas, electric systems cost $8 to $15 per square foot.

Geothermal In-Floor Heating Cost

The price to install geothermal in-floor heating is $9,500 to $27,000, including installation costs. Up to half of this price is for the pump alone.

Solar Radiant Heating System Cost

Installing a solar radiant heating system costs $8,000 to $19,500 for labor time and all components. Up to one-third of this price is for a solar water heating unit.

Propane Underfloor Heat

The price to buy and install a propane water heating tank is $2,400 to $2,900 per unit and $6 to $20 per square foot for hydronic system tubing and labor time. The average total price for all components and to fit everything for a 100 square foot space is $3,750.

Radiant Floor Heating Cost Per Square Foot

The average cost of floor heating is $20 per square foot, including all materials and professional installation.

Heated Bathroom Tile Floor Cost

The total project price to install a floor heating system and ceramic tiling material is $20 to $40 per square foot. Nearly half of this amount is for the tile and materials to affix it over the tubing.

Heated Concrete Floor Cost

Installing underfloor heating and pouring concrete over the top is $15 to $30 per square foot, including labor time and all materials. This method is suited for basements and garages.

Laminate or Hardwood Underfloor Heating Price

The cost for hardwood or laminate materials, a heating system, and installation is $15 to $20 per square foot.

Radiant Ceiling Heat Cost

The price of radiant ceiling panels is $50 to $60 per square foot, with lower voltage and wattage versions being the cheapest. One to 2 panels per room is sufficient, and it takes 1 to 3 hours to install per room. Typical panel sizes are between 2 by 2 and 2 by 6 feet. The total project price for installation and materials is $300 to $1,400 per room.

Heated Floor Installation Cost Factors

It requires 8 to 16 hours to fit 1,000 square feet of heating material and $75 per hour for a plumber to install it. Total labor costs for a project are $600 to $1,200.

As with any contracted job, factors that will affect your overall bill include:

• Distance to the job site.

• The workload of the contractor.

• Local labor rates.

• Clean-up and disposal of debris.

• Size of the area requiring heating.

Retrofitting by Flooring Square Footage

The square footage of your home will help to determine the price. Oddly enough, smaller projects tend to cost more per square foot than larger ones. For example, a 400 square foot area might cost 80 percent more than a 5,000 square foot area installed. This is because a larger area is usually a lot more open and easier to work in.

Temperature Zones

If you are installing a radiant floor heater as a whole-house system, you may find some rooms require different amounts of heat to be comfortable. This may lead you to establish temperature zones where a living room might be kept at a warmer temperature than a bedroom. Larger rooms may require more heat than smaller rooms.

Radiant Cooling

While most radiant systems are thought of for heat, you can also use radiant systems for cooling. Putting them on the floor will not be very cost-effective because cool air falls. The best place to install a radiant cooling system is in your ceiling. They will need some added equipment, such as a chiller and possibly a dehumidifier.

Pre-Fitted Subflooring

Traditional tubing systems are secured with silicone sealant requiring up to 24 hours curing time. Using modern subflooring panels with pre-fitted channels allows you to install tubing straight away, making it faster to install and lowering the labor cost.

Floor Heating Cost to Operate

The average price of heating a 100 square foot space is between $1 and $5 for 24 hours.

Energy Savings

The average price to run a radiant heating system for 24 hours non-stop is $3 compared to $20 for traditional air heating systems. Water can hold 3,500 times the heat than air can. This allows you to operate your radiant floor heated home 6 to 8 degrees lower than a standard air-heated room.

DIY In-Floor Heat Installation Cost vs. Hiring a Pro

FAQs

How much does adding radiant floor heating in your concrete slab cost?

Costs for a professional to install radiant heating into concrete average $11 per square foot for hydronic systems and $10 per square foot for electric versions.

What’s the average cost of radiant floor heat in new construction?

The average price of a radiant floor in a newly constructed and typical size 2,400 square foot home is $14,000 to $48,000 for a hydronic version and $19,000 to $36,000 for electric setups.

What’s the difference between radiant floor heat and baseboard heating?

Baseboard heating is thermostat controlled and typically mounted on the lower half of a wall. They are designed to heat a specific area of the home. Radiant heaters are installed under the floor and use electric coils or a centrally located boiler to pass hot water through the tubing.

How does the price of radiant flooring compare to forced-air heat systems?

The price of a forced-air system to heat your entire home is $2,000 to $2,600 compared to the per square foot per room price of hydronic radiant heating at $6 to $20 and $8 to $15 for electric. This includes all materials, installation, and labor. Radiant versions are more expensive to install and cheaper to operate in the long run.

Is radiant floor heat efficient?

Radiant floor heating can heat a room using at least a 40% lower temperature compared to a traditional convection heating system.

What type of floor is best for radiant heating?

Tile and stone are the best types for radiant systems as they transfer heat the quickest. Other versions are suitable and require a longer time to heat up, such as wood, laminate, vinyl, carpet, and rubber.

Can radiant floor heating heat an entire house?

Radiant designs are made to heat individual rooms. Heating an entire house requires installing a system in each room.

How long does in floor heating last?

Tubing and coils used in radiant heat flooring last 20 to 35 years. Boilers used for hot water systems have a 15 to 20-year lifespan.

How much does a heated garage floor cost?

The price for a heated two-car garage is $4,000 on average and costs less than $5 per day to operate.

How much does a heated driveway cost?

A typical single car heated driveway of 200 square feet costs $2,400 to $4,200 per square foot, including the thermal components, all materials, and labor time.