Much Does Cost Install Heated Driveway
Typically, the cost of a heated driveway system is between $12-$21 per square foot. Looking at our data, the average cost of a radiant heating system installation is $3,892, with a low of $1,300 and a high of $7,500 in that range. Costs to Install and Operate Snow Melting SystemsThe costs to operate snow melting systems vary widely depending on the size of the area being treated, local utility costs, the average total hours of snowfall, and how fast the system user wants to melt the snow. Obviously, the larger the area being heated and the more.
General Installation and Operating Costs of a Heated Driveway System
With today's environmentally conscious mindset and focus on clean, renewable energy you may have heard a lot about radiant heated driveways. What you may not know is that in addition to eliminating the need for salt and harsh snow melting chemicals, these systems, after the initial installation investment, can actually save consumers money, time and effort when it comes to snow removal. And, quite frankly, the convenience of a clear driveway without any physical (or mental) effort can be quite gratifying. But how much does it cost to install a heated driveway; and how much does it cost to operate?
Cost is dependent upon a number of factors. First, you’ll want to consider the two types of radiant heated driveway technologies available: hydronic and electric. Hydronic systems utilize propylene glycol, a specially treated liquid that is heated and pumped through specialized PEX tubing that is embedded in the driveway. A boiler heats the fluid and a series of pumps and valves circulate it throughout the closed loop of tubing. While hydronic systems may be cheaper to operate than electric systems (depending on your local utility rates), the installation costs of hydronic systems can be significantly higher than those of electric systems.
Electric heated driveways use a durable resistance heat cable as the heating element to warm the driveway surface. Both electric and hydronic snow melting systems are fully-automated, so they operate only when needed. (The systems also feature manual override capabilities.) Because of the lower installation costs, ease of installation and maintenance-free attributes of electric snowmelt systems, electric heated driveways are often a more preferred solution for most homeowners – particularly for small and medium sized projects.
There are several variables associated with heated driveway installations, so costs vary accordingly. No matter which system you choose, be it hydronic or electric radiant heat, either can be easily installed under a variety of surfaces including asphalt, concrete and stone/brick pavers. But an existing driveway is anequally good candidate for a new system. Concrete driveways can be retrofitted using saw-cut technology, and asphalt driveways can be heated simply by laying out the cable and applying another layer of asphalt over it. You can also install two, 24-inch-wide electric radiant heating mats to heat 'tire tracks' on your existing driveway. When it comes to heating your driveway, you have a lot of snow melting options.
How Much To Install Driveway
Not only do size, type and layout factor into the equation, but heated driveways are also designed to meet the specific demands in relation to climate, elevation, power needs and the like. So it’s important to partner with a supplier that provides complementary radiant heat engineering and design services from some of the most knowledgeable experts around. Unlike many suppliers that just provide the products, the top radiant heat providers will include professional system designs with each project. This way, you’ll have the exact power requirements and performance expectations before a foot of cable is installed, without having to contract out (and pay) for it.
General Costs for Installing a Heated Driveway
While it’s true that no radiant heating system provider will want to throw out installation cost numbers without knowing specifics, there are some general numbers that may be helpful when pricing out your radiant heated driveway project. Once again, keep in mind that these prices are very general. Your actual price will vary depending on the specifics associated with your project. According to Warmzone, one of the country’s top radiant heat providers known for its customer service, the cost of a heated driveway system can range between $11-$21 per square foot.
Advice from an Industry Professional
Bryan Morris, a national sales manager at Warmzone stressed the importance of consumers calling and discussing their project with an experienced radiant heat professional before making any purchase. 'It pays to shop around and compare,' Morris stated. 'Try to avoid being talked into a purchase on your first call. Ask questions and take the time you need. The best companies will offer free consulting and be happy to answer your questions and explain the different options,' he added.
He concluded with this valuable advice. 'It’s vital that prospective buyers consult with a provider that offers more than one brand or product line. Go online and do some checking, but make sure,' he emphasized, 'that they include complete system design services and installation support with each system. Many companies claim to offer post sales support,' Morris warned, 'but very few actually have an expert staff on hand, designated to provide that service. Professional system design and dedicated, expert installation support should be included with your driveway heating system.'
Average Heated Driveway Cost
The average cost of a heated driveway in the U.S. ends up being between $1,300 and $7,500. Installation costs of a heated driveway vary among contractors. However, after the initial cost, when you consider the low operational costs of a maintenance-free electric radiant heated driveway over time, plus equity boost to your home, a radiant heated driveway just makes plain dollars and cents. For just pennies on the dollar, your feet will be hitting dry pavement before you have to so much as lift a shovel, spill salt, or wait on a snow service. And yearly snow service fees can be quite steep.
Calculating the Operating Cost of a Heated Driveway
One of the most common questions among prospective buyers of radiant heat systems is: “How much will it cost to run the system?” While there are many factors that contribute to the answer of this question, we still can offer a formula that will help you determine what you can expect in terms of operating costs.
Keep in mind that the operating cost of a snow melting system will depend on the specifics of the system. Every snow melting system must be custom designed to ensure peak performance and efficiency. Radiant snow melting systems are designed specifically for the winter conditions of the area. Everything from altitude and average snowfall is considered as well as average winter temperatures. Before using the formula shown here to calculate the operating cost of your snow melting system, you’ll first need to know the kilowatt per hour rates of your local power utility company. These rates vary from region to region, so we used the average kilowatt per hour rate for the formula attached.
Much Does Cost Install Heated Driveway Installation
While systems vary, residential snow melting systems typically operate at 37 watts per square foot while commercial snow melting systems operate at 50 watts per square foot. The formula shown here would therefore change accordingly.
Estimating the Cost for Operating an Electric Radiant System
1. Determine the total square footage of the area that will be heated.
2. Multiply the square footage by the heat required (E.g., 37 watts per sq. ft. for residential). This will give you a total for the watts per square footage required.
3. Divide this number by 1000 to convert to kilowatts.
4. Look up the kilowatts per HOUR rate from the local power utility company.
5. Multiply the total watts-per-square foot by the watts-per-hour. This will give you the COST per HOUR of usage for the snowmelt system.
When to Buy a Heated Driveway System
With fully automated snow melting systems, the demand of electric output is nominal. If you want to save a few bucks when purchasing a snow melting system, try to make your purchase in early spring. This is when the demand for heated driveway systems is lowest, so you may be receive discounted or slightly lower costs. Don't be afraid to ask the supplier or manufacturer for a discount. It can't hurt to ask, and the chances are good that you will get a slight price break - especially if you purchase in the spring.
NOTE: Heating cables and mats are rated in total watts. If the snowmelt system is intended for a commercial application, then you would multiply the total square footage by 50 watts to get a total wattage required. (i.e. 5,000 sq. ft. x 50 watts = 250,000 watts required).
All things considered, if you’re a savvy shopper, and you deal with a trusted, reputable supplier, you can find the perfect match for your requirements and your budget. The best heated driveway providers will not only work hard to custom design your system so that it is ideal for your needs - they will be mindful of your budget and give you different options.
Many homeowners who live in regions with harsh, long winters have, at one time or another, considered installing heated driveway. The convenience of a heated driveway, in terms of time savings and labor reduction, is a major attraction, but many homeowners wonder if the cost is simply too high.
Below, we look at the average costs of installing and running an electric coil or hydronic heated driveway, examine some ways a heated driveway could actually save you money, mention an alternative driveway-heating method, and then weigh some factors that might make a heated driveway worth it or not worth it to a particular homeowner.
How Much Will a Heated Driveway Cost?
Theaverage cost of installing a heated driveway is around $3,850 (approximately $5,174 CAD), with most projects costing between $2,200 and $5,800 (approximately $2,956 - $7,795 CAD). Ahydronic system will tend to cost more to install, around $4,000 to $5,000 (approximately $5,376 to $6,720 CAD), due to the extra expense of a boiler unit. These costs do not include the pouring of a new concrete/asphalt pavement nor the demolition of old pavement, which may also be necessary.
The cost of the pavement itself will vary greatly based on its width, length, material, but a 'prototypical' 12 x 50 foot (4.5 x 15.2 m) asphalt driveway, inclusive of coil heating elements, may easily total over $8,000 (approximately $10,752 CAD). For long drives of a quarter mile or more, the cost can easily reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Usually, concrete driveways get the more expensive hydronic system, while asphalt driveways use the less-expensive-to-install electric coil system. A concrete hydronic system can vary greatly in price, from $2,000 to $14,000 (approximately $2,688 to $18,816 CAD), depending on how 'high-end' you want to go with it.
However, you can reduce these costs, with the electric coil option, by heating only a portion of the driveway, at minimum two tire-wide strips. This can save you between $2,000 and $6,000 (approximately $2,688 and $8,064 CAD). You can also probably save around $1,000 (approximately $1,344 CAD) by doing the demolition yourself, and by excluding automatic control systems, you reduce the cost further.
Also note that hydronic systems are much cheaper to operate if more expensive to install, while electric coils are cheaper to install but add to your wintertime electric bill.
How Can a Heated Driveway Create Savings?
Heated driveways also save homeowners money in various ways, mitigating their costs. Here are some of the most important savings they create:
- Heated driveways reduce or eliminate your need to throw down rock salt or other deicers on your driveway, which extends the life of your pavement, keeps down salt corrosion on vehicle undercarriages, and prevents salt from killing grass/plants/flowers planted near the edges of your driveway.
- You will no longer need to pay a plow service or a local snow shoveler to clear off your pavement. In some cases, this saves hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
- Keeping ice off your drive will reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents, which does all of the following: keeps people safer, eliminates accident medical bills, reduces risk of lawsuits, and (likely) lowers your homeowner's insurance premium.
An Alternative Way to Heat Your Driveway
Many people are familiar with snow-melting mats, which are often used along walkways and at home/business entryways to maintain a clear, dry path between your front door and your car door. These heated mats consist of two layers of slip-resistant rubber with an intervening heating element, plug into an ordinary outlet using a moisture-resistant power cord, and can melt snow/ice in hours or minutes (depending on heat level and snow level).
Homeowners may be less familiar with driveway snow-melting mats as a perfect alternative to the more costly methods of heating your driveway. These will melt down wheel paths for vehicles and can be directly mounted by the vehicle. While they use electric power, they are going to be quite energy efficient and can be used only as needed. Finally, they do not require expensive installation and can be conveniently stored when winter is over.
Is a Heated Driveway Right for Me?
Deciding whether or not a heated driveway is 'worth it' involves not only weighing the cost but also balancing that cost against the value derived. Some factors that may tip the balance include:
- If you are already putting in a new driveway anyway, you de facto save on heated driveway installation expenses.
- If you live in a high snowfall region and are in danger of being trapped in your home after a storm, some for of driveway heating is a safety rather than merely a convenience issue.
- Areas with relatively low electric rates are good candidates for electric coil heating.
- Regions with short, mild winters would especially do well with portable driveway heating mats.
Installing a heated driveway is a major investment, but there are ways to reduce the cost and savings that are created as well. Driveway heating mats are a cheaper, portable option that might just be perfect for your scenario.