January 16, 2024

What Is the Cost of Radiant Heating Installation?

Radiant heating installation is an alternative to replacing your furnace or other heating system. It may be a wise investment depending on your home and if furnace maintenance for your aging unit is becoming more costly. We’ll now break down the costs to help you decide if radiant heating is the right choice for your home.

Radiant Heating Installation vs. Furnace Installation Costs

The average cost of a new furnace is about $4,700 and can range up to $9,500 depending on the type of unit.¹ Meanwhile, a heated floor system varies significantly in cost depending on various factors. Average installation costs range from $7,000 to $66,000, according to Forbes.²

How Does Radiant Heating Work?

A central heating source produces heat. Instead of distributing it through ductwork, a radiant heating system distributes the heat through a network of tubes or wires, warming up the floors. The system relies on infrared radiation and the natural effect of heat rising rather than air circulation.

Is Radiant Heating Energy Efficient?

The type of flooring, room size, and quality of insulation impact efficiency. However, radiant heaters eliminate duct losses. Hydronic heating systems (which use heated liquid) use little electricity; some even use gas-, oil-, or wood-fired boilers or solar water heaters.

What Is the Cost Breakdown of Radiant Heating Installation?

The cost of a radiant floor heating system varies depending on many factors. The size of the area to heat matters, but the cost range is impacted even more by the type of system. First, we’ll break down the costs of installing a hydronic (water-based) or electric radiant heating system in your home.

Hydronic Radiant Heating

A hydronic system circulates hot water through a network of tubes or pipes under the floor. These tubes or pipes are connected to a boiler or water heater. The heat from the circulating fluid radiants into the room.

Hydronic systems generally cost $7 to $22 per square foot, equating to:

1,000 Square Feet: $7,000 to $22,000
1,500 Square Feet: $10,500 to $33,000
2,000 Square Feet: $14,000 to $44,000
2,500 Square Feet: $17,500 to $55,000
3,000 Square Feet: $21,000 to $66,000²

Electric Radiant Heating

An electric radiant heating system consists of electric cables or mats. Electric current flowing through these elements generates heat, which in turn warms the floor. This setup is more often used for smaller areas or specific rooms.

At about $8 to $15 per square foot, this type of radiant heating installation costs:

1,000 Square Feet: $8,000 to $15,000
1,500 Square Feet: $12,200 to $22,000
2,000 Square Feet: $16,000 to $30,000
2,500 Square Feet: $20,000 to $37,000
3,000 Square Feet: $24,000 to $45,000²

These are the most common radiant heating systems, but others are available. A solar radiant heating system circulates fluid heated by the sun through a network of pipes. It costs from $18 to $25 per square foot. A geothermal system, which circulates water from underground pipes, ranges from $7 to $17 per square foot, while a propane-heated floor system costs $6 to $18 per square foot.

Other Factors That Affect Radiant Heating Installation Costs

The piping, cabling, and other heating elements aren’t the only expenses when installing a radiant heating system. Here are some other factors that add to the total cost of the project:

Location: Radiant heating in the center of your home costs less than a heating system installed near the exterior or the front door. Aim for installation in easier-to-reach areas to save. Installing radiant heating systems in the basement or above a ceiling costs much more than in a garage or ground floor. Ceiling panels can cost $50 to $60 per square foot.³

Materials: Common flooring materials used with radiant heating systems include hardwood (solid hardwood is less effective and less tolerant of temperature fluctuations than engineered hardwood, bamboo, or acrylic wood). There are also laminated and engineered flooring options for radiant heating systems, while the heat-conducting properties, durability, and versatility of linoleum make it a suitable floor heating option.

Labor: The cost of labor to install heated floors ranges from $550 to $2,500, including the fees charged by plumbers ($45 to $200 per hour), floor installers ($100 to $150 per hour), and electricians ($50 to $100 per hour). Assume about 12 hours of labor for every 1,000 square feet of heating.³

Site Prep: Before radiant heating installation can begin, you’ll need a professional to remove your floors. This can cost $60 to $120 per hour.³ You can DIY floor removal to save on site prep costs, but it’ll take up much more time and energy.

Debris Disposal: Breaking up and removing floors creates a lot of debris, which must be disposed of. Removing debris can cost $100 to $600 per truckload. The weekly cost of renting a dumpster can range from $300 to $600.³

Water Heater/Boiler/Heat Pump Installation: You’ll need a water heater, boiler, or heat pump to heat the water for a hydronic system. If you have existing equipment, make sure it’s an adequate size. Otherwise, it can be overworked or not supply enough fluid to the heating system. The cost of a new heating unit depends on the type, model, your home’s square footage, insulation, and heat loss.

Zoning: Setting up temperature zones with their own thermostats adds to the overall project cost. You can save on this variable by zoning the system during the planning phase. A whole-home zoned system is typically more energy efficient.

Operating Costs: Running a radiant floor heating system costs from $1 to $5 per day.²

Call Wingate for Your Radiant Heating Installation Quote

Maintaining a heating system ensures it runs safely, efficiently, and reliably. You can count on Wingate for high-quality heating maintenance in Cincinnati. We also provide high-quality installation services that factor in the size of your home, the number of occupants, and other variables. Our team of NATE-certified technicians are trained and experienced in a variety of heating options. They can help determine if a radiant heating system is a good option for your home. To learn more and get a radiant heating installation quote, call (513) 450-3678 today.

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