Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Electrical, HVAC & Energy Efficiency > Hot Water Baseboard Heater

Hot Water Baseboard Heater Cost


How Much Does a Hot Water Baseboard Heater Cost?

 
 average costTypical Home: $6,000-$8,000 

Old-fashioned steam radiators have given way to longer, sleeker, lighter-weight and more efficient versions that run hot water through pipes housed in baseboard-like enclosures which hug the bottom of the wall. Hot water baseboard heat is similar to radiant floor heat but with lower initial installation costs; it doesn't require tearing up the flooring in an existing home and can be used where there isn't space for an under-floor installation.

Typical costs:

  • Installing a hydronic (hot water) baseboard heating system in a 1,400 square foot home runs about $6,000-$8,000.
Related articles: Electric Baseboard Heater, Radiant Floor Heating, Central Heating

What should be included:
  • Hydronic (hot water) baseboard heaters are relatively inconspicuous and don't have the fan noise of a forced-air system. They can be used to replace expensive-to-operate electric baseboard heaters where adding ducting for a forced-air system is cost-prohibitive, according to the US Department of Energy. These systems are relatively inexpensive to operate, are energy efficient and provide a constant flow of warm air, but can take time to heat up or cool down. Another disadvantage is that there's no way to add air conditioning to the system. The Eugene Water & Electric Board in Oregon provides an overview[1] of hydronic systems.
  • These systems use a water heater system to heat water and a pump to circulate hot water, which is piped through enclosures styled to look like large decorative baseboards.
Shopping for a hot water baseboard heater:
  • Manufacturers include Embassy Industries[2] and Runtal[3] .
  • Get several estimates, making clear what is (and isn't) included in each quote. Request and check references; ask about the contractor's length and type of experience; and be sure they're properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state.
post Post   Comments (4)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
finished basement
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: kevinj in warwick, RI.Posted: December 12th, 2014 10:12AM
Number of Rooms: open space
We are framing and finishing our basement and want to install 4 8ft hot water baseboard units to the existing system. How much should we budget for this. Thinking of putting in an electric water heater also.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
forced hot water heater
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: HAN in Hiawatha, KS.Posted: May 17th, 2010 01:05PM
Number of Rooms: 2 effected
We have had baseboard forced hot water heat for at least 45 years and love it. When we remodeled we put in little units under the cabinets with a fan to blow the heat out through vents which is with the forced hot water heat. The fans have quit and we have not been able to find them. Do you have any suggestions? The water still runs through the pipes and keeps it somewhat wartm but is much better with a fan.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
Integrating In-floor heating with hot water baseboard heat
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Cornelius J McKenna Sr in Ontario, NY.Posted: November 26th, 2009 07:11PM
Number of Rooms: 10
I have a 40 year old raised ranch with 3 zones of hot water baseboard heat. One zone is the entire 2nd level. One zone is the entire 1st level, and the 3rd zone is at the lower level, but it's a converted garage to an office area. My interest is in respect to the 2nd level bathroom. Currently, there is a hot water baseboard heater element in this bathroom, and I would like to install in-floor heating in this bathroom. Is it feasible to integrate in-floor heating with hot water baseboard? What I essentially saying is could I remove the baseboard element and divert the water throught coils in the bathroom? That took a lot of words of explanation, but I think it's not that complicated. Let me know what you think.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
New system
Amount: $10,000.00
Posted by: KGB in Meriden, CT.Posted: March 27th, 2009 06:03PM
Number of Rooms: 9 rooms (1,500 sq ft)
Got two quotes for adding a new hot water baseboard system to our home renovation. Both quotes came in similar and included the boiler and use Pex. Let's home the quotes are accurate!
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With a Hot Water Baseboard Heater
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Number of Rooms:   
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.eweb.org/saveenergy/home/hydronic
  2.  www.embassyind.com/panel/index.asp
  3.  www.runtalnorthamerica.com/residential_radiators/index.html
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Does a Fence Cost? How Much Does a Furnace Cost? How Much Does Garden Service Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost