 | Heating System for Existing Driveway: $1,300-$7,500 |
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 | New Heated Driveway: $2,000-$33,500+ |
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| Heated driveways melt snow on a residential driveway, keeping homeowners from becoming trapped in their homes during periods of heavy snowfall. Driveway heating systems are comprised of either electrical cables or a hydronic system buried beneath or within an asphalt or concrete driveway. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Electric radiant heating units installed beneath an existing driveway typically cost $10 -$21 per square foot; heating for an average driveway costs $1,300 -$7,500. Hydronic heating units cannot usually be installed beneath existing driveways.
- Hydronic heating systems cost at least $4,000 -$5,000, including the boiler, controllers, and tubing for a small area. Because hydronic heating systems are always custom jobs, seek a local contractor with expertise in this area. The Hydronics Industry Alliance provides a list of qualified contractors, as well as a checklist of questions to ask a contractor about their hydronic heating installation experience.
- A new asphalt heated driveway costs $3,200 -$33,500 or more. This cost includes the radiant heating system, materials for the new asphalt driveway, and installation of both. Removal of the old driveway is typically not included in this price. The size of the driveway is the main factor in the cost difference; the size of the portion of the new driveway that will be heated, and whether the heating system will be manually or automatically controlled also affects the price. A typical two-car, 12-foot by 50-foot heated asphalt driveway costs about $8,500.For a quarter-mile heated asphalt driveway, expect to pay $33,500 or more. Some high-end driveways can cost $60,000 -$300,000, one contractor said in a Boston Business Journal article.
- A new concrete heated driveway costs $2,000 -$14,100, including both the heating system and the new driveway, but not including the removal of the old driveway. The driveway costs $1,800 -$6,000; the heating system makes up the rest of the cost.
What should be included: | - The prices listed above include the cost of the electric cable or hydronic heating system, the manual or automatic controller for the heating system, the labor required to install the heating system, and the materials and labor to build a new driveway over the top of the heating unit.
Additional costs: | - Demolishing an asphalt driveway can cost an extra $100 -$500 for DIY and $500 -$1,000 for professional removal according to How Much Does Asphalt Removal Cost. Demolishing a concrete driveway costs $50 -$500 for DIY, $500 -$900 for day labor assistance, and $1,000 -$2,500 for work by a licensed contractor. See How Much Does Concrete Removal Cost for more information and cost breakdowns.
- All driveway heating systems add to winter utility bills. The WarmZone company in Utah estimates the electricity would cost about $1.50 to melt 300 square feet of snow on a driveway during a typical storm. Costs vary based on location; Chicago and Spokane, WA have the least expensive operating costs; Buffalo, NY and Minneapolis, MN cost the most to operate. Electric coil systems cost the most to operate.
Discounts: | - To take advantage of driveway heating at a minimal cost, choose a heating system that can be installed under an existing driveway, and heat the smallest space necessary--usually two strips or tracks on the driveway that a car can drive up and down. Not needing to reinstall a driveway saves $1,800 -$6,000 according to How Much Does a Driveway Cost
- To save on construction costs, homeowners can choose to demolish the existing driveway themselves using jackhammers and hard labor. It will also be necessary to haul away the broken up asphalt or concrete and dispose of it. Still, DIY demolitions can save $500 -$1,500.
- Because heated drives can help prevent slip-and-fall accidents, a heated driveway can sometimes result in a homeowner insurance discount.
Shopping for a heated driveway: | - Companies such as Warmzone and Watts Radiant manufacture and distribute driveway heating systems. Electric coil systems cost less to install but more to operate. Hydronic systems require the installation of a boiler, and are usually considered more cost efficient for larger installations like whole two-car driveways. For more information about the costs of electric versus radiant heating systems, see radiant-floor-heating.com.
- Decide whether to retrofit a heating system underneath an existing driveway, or to tear out the current driveway and replace it with a new one while installing the heating system. Though the new driveway option is far more expensive, it provides a wider range of options in available heating systems, including radiant heaters that cost much less to power than electric cable systems. ConcreteNetwork.com lists factors to consider before buying a heated driveway system.
- Hire a contractor with experience installing radiant heating systems in outdoor driveways and walks. For more information, see Heated Walks and Driveways with a Radiant Heat System on DoItYourself.com.
- Ask for references and check with the Better Business Bureau. Also check the reputation of the heating system manufacturer.
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Article updated May 2011 |
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