How Much Does Radiant Floor Heating Cost?

Radiant floor heating is a heating system that is installed in the floor of a house. There are two common types of radiant floor heating: electric and hydronic. There is also wood burning radiant floor heating; however, it is not very popular. Electric radiant floor heating is less expensive than hydronic radiant floor heating. The cost of radiant floor heating ranges from $6-$15 per square foot installed. Electric radiant floor heating ranges from $6-$10 per square foot, installed, while hydronic radiant floor heating ranges from $8-$15 per square foot, installed. Radiant flooring is easiest to install when the house is being constructed; radiant floor heating is also less expensive when it is installed during the house’s construction compared to when it is installed in an already constructed home. Radiant heat flooring can be installed throughout the entire house or just in one room. Radiant floor heating cost for a 2000 square foot home averages from $12,000-$30,000, installation included.

Cost By Type Of Radiant Floor Heating

Electric

Electric radiant flooring is electric mats that are installed under the floor. Electric radiant floor heating cost is less expensive than hydronic radiant floor heating. It is also easier to install than hydronic radiant flooring. Electric radiant floor heating cost ranges from $6-$10 per square foot, installation included. The cost of this type of flooring for a 2000 square foot home ranges from $12,000- $20,000. Some of the most popular brands of electric radiant floor heating are NuHeat, Speedheat, Warmly Yours and REH.

Hydronic

Hydronic radiant floor heating uses water to heat the floor; it involves a series of flexible tubes which are installed below the floor of the house – hot water runs through the tubes and heats the floor. Hydronic radiant floor heating costs range from $8-$15 with installation. The cost for this type of flooring for an average 2000 square foot home ranges from $16,000-$30,000. Some of the most popular brands of hydronic radiant heating are RadiantDirect and Vanguard.

Radiant Floor Heating Installation Cost

The cost of radiant floor heating installation ranges from $3-$7 per square foot. The cost of radiant floor heating installation for a 2000 square foot home ranges from $6000-$14,000, labor only. Installation of electric radiant floor heating for a 2000 square foot home ranges from $6000-$10,000, labor only. Installation of hydronic radiant floor heating for a 2000 square foot home ranges from $8000-$14,000, labor only.

In Floor Heating Options

There are three types of in floor heating that homeowners can choose from; electric, hydronic and wood burning. Electric radiant flooring is the easiest type of in floor heating to install; it is also the easiest to maintain. Electric radiant floor heating is best for a small room; it does not work well for an entire house, as it is not cost efficient. Hydronic radiant flooring is the most expensive to install and to maintain, but it is the best type of in floor heating for large areas. Wood burning radiant floor heating is much like hydronic radiant flooring, but is less expensive to maintain. However, as homeowners will have to fill a wood box to keep the system running every 1-3 days, it takes more work than most homeowners are interested in doing. Usually, wood burning radiant floor heating is used as a back-up heating system.