Driveway Heating Cost Breakdown
Driveway heating systems are a popular choice for those homeowners who want the convenience of being able to remove snow from their driveway without actually pulling out the snow blower and shovel. Heated driveways are seriously convenient and if you are looking to have your home remodeled or improved, this is definitely something you want to consider.
Who is Using Snow Melting Systems and Why ?
The snow melting systems are popular in both residential and commercial use. They are a common choice in high end homes for a number of reasons.
- Convenience: Upper end home owners install the system in their exterior slabs including sidewalks, driveways, patios and steps. This is done to eliminate snow accumulation thus doing away with shoveling completely.
- Target trouble spots: People who cannot afford to install the snow melting system in all areas install the system in areas where ice and snow accumulation causes problems like on the wheel tracks of the driveway, front walkway and steps or on driveways that have a steep incline.
- Prevent liability and reduce the cost of snow removal: Most businesses install the snow melting system in parking lots, walkways, loading ramps and outdoor malls to reduce the cost of snowplowing and also to prevent the risk of accidents associated with slip and fall.
How Much Does Driveway Heating Cost?
On average annual cost of operating driveway heating system in Toronto falls between 12 and 25 cents per square foot. This means you would spend between $120 and $250 every winter to melt snow on a driveway that is 1,000 square foot in size. The cost will depend on the kilowatt cost per hour in your local area.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a System
There are several factors that ought to be considered prior to selecting a snow melting system. The systems are not the same and they will not all work perfectly in every city. For wise planning, you have to consider the following factors:
- Utility costs and availability
- Space availability
- User expectations
- Run-off
- Retrofitting
- Maintenance
Although snow melting systems can cost hundreds of dollars to operate each winter, they are cheaper than plowing services, snow-removal equipment and using de-icing chemicals especially in regions that experience high snowfall. All in all, for these systems to work efficiently and offer the benefits, they have to be installed properly.
Different Cost Estimates
There are a number of different options when it comes to your driveway heating and each option will have a different price point for you to explore. Let’s go over some of them now.
The typical cost to add a radiant heating system to your driveway will vary between $12 and $21 per square foot. The lowest end can cost about $7 per square foot and on the highest end, you may pay up to $34 per square foot.
With these figures in mind, the average cost to install a heating system on your driveway will be anywhere between $1,300 and $4,000, but can range all the way up to $7,500 depending on the size of your driveway.
The cost of this does not include the removal and replacement of your current driveway. This can add quite a bit to the amount that has already been mentioned above. For example, an asphalt driveway is going to cost more than that of a concrete driveway. The average cost for removal and installation of a new concrete driveway will be anywhere between $2,500 and $3,500. The average cost for removal and installation of an asphalt driveway will be anywhere between $4,000 and $5,000.
The total price you can expect to pay for a complete job, which would include the installation of the heating system, removal of the old driveway, and installation of the new driveway, is anywhere between $2,000 and $25,000.
Factors That May Affect Pricing
There are some factors that may affect the pricing that you receive for your driveway. If you have a lot of trees and roots on your property, you will find that it is much more difficult for the driveway to be installed, thus, there will be a greater cost of installation.
Other price factors to worry about are labour costs, material costs, if the soil needs to be replaced, and the time of year.
If you are working within a budget, you may be able to remove your own driveway depending on your determination and the manpower you have to work with. Doing this part of the job yourself will save you thousands of dollars.
If you are looking for a free quote for a driveway heating system, call the professionals at Heavenly Heat Inc. today. We will provide you with an accurate, no obligation quote to have a heating system installed in your driveway.
How Much Does It Cost to Heat a Driveway? A Breakdown of Heating Costs
Heated driveways are a popular choice for homeowners wanting the convenience of being able to remove snow from their driveway without actually bringing out the snowblower and shovel. Heated driveways are very convenient and definitely worth considering, especially if you want to have your home remodeled or renovated.
In this article, we will take a look at how much it would cost to heat a driveway, the factors that go into the cost, and whether or not it is worth the investment.
How Much Does Driveway Heating Cost?
On average, the annual cost of operating a driveway heating system in Toronto falls between 12 and 25 cents per square foot. This means you would spend between $120 and $250 every winter to melt snow on a 1,000 square feet driveway. The cost will also depend on the kilowatt cost per hour in your local area.
Concrete, asphalt, and paving stones are the most common materials for heated driveway systems. A typical 2-car heated concrete driveway costs $13 to $28 per square foot. On the other hand, installing a snow-melting system in a driveway with pavers costs around $19 to $50 per square foot. Let’s look at the cost breakdown for different materials:
Concrete
The average cost of a 2-car driveway with a heated concrete surface is between $13 and $28 per square foot or roughly $6500 to $17,000. For the purpose of comparison, a normal concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot without heating.
Concrete is a popular choice for heated driveways because it is durable and easy to maintain. Plus, concrete can be poured in any shape or size to fit your driveway.
Asphalt
The cost of a heated asphalt driveway is around $12 to $27 per square foot or $6,000 to $16,000 for a typical 2-car driveway. Without a snowmelt system, a standard asphalt driveway costs between $3 and $7 per square foot.
Asphalt is great for driveways because it is durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It is also fairly easy to install, a factor that contributes to keeping costs down.
Pavers
For a 2-car driveway, the average cost of pavers is between $19 and $50 per square foot, or about $11,000 to $28,000. Without a radiant heating system, a typical paver driveway costs between $10 and $30 per square foot.
Pavers are great for driveways because they are very durable and have a long lifespan. They are also easy to maintain and can be replaced in small sections, if necessary.
Driveway Mats
Portable heated driveway mats range from $40 per square foot to a little over $1,600 for a 2ft. x 20 ft. mat. Snow melting mats on a driveway are mostly non-slip, connect to a regular 120V outlet, and do not need additional electrical circuits.
Heated driveway mats are a convenient option as they can be used on the surface of your car’s garage throughout the winter and then rolled up for the remainder of the year. They are ideal for those looking for the convenience of a heated driveway without the cost of installing a permanent system.
Retrofitting
Retrofitting an existing driveway with a heating system will cost $7 to $17 per square foot, depending on the driveway material and whether it’s covering the whole driveway or just the tire track areas.
Retrofitting is a viable option for homeowners looking to heat their driveway without having to replace their existing one. To retrofit an electric snowmelt system to an existing driveway, your contractor will first cut thin grooves in the pavement to embed electric heating cables and then resurface the grooves.
In most instances, retrofitting existing driveways costs more than installing a new driveway altogether, so be sure to factor that into your decision.
How much do heated stairs, sidewalks, and walkways cost?
The price of heated walkways and sidewalks ranges from $140 to $395, according to length. Heated stair mats cost between $55 and $100 per step, while the cost of controllers for portable snow melting mats ranges from $35 to $70 per unit.
Cost of driveway heating systems according to type
Electric and hydronic heated driveway systems are the two kinds of heated driveways.
Electric coil
In electric coil heating systems, a grid of heating cables under the surface radiates heat upward to melt the snow. Electric coils do not take long to warm up and are cheaper to install and maintain than hydronic systems.
However, they may be slightly more expensive to operate because they need dedicated circuits and an upgraded electrical panel. Another drawback is that electric heating systems stop functioning during power outages, common during snowstorms.
As for the cost:
- Electrician’s fee: $40 to $100 per hour
- Electrical panel upgrade: $2,000 to $4,000 (400-amp panel)
Hydronic
In hydronic systems, a series of tubes under the driveway circulate hot water and glycol to melt the snow. These systems take longer to heat up than electric ones, but they don’t require dedicated circuits.
They’re also more expensive to install because they need a dedicated boiler and pumps, which increase the initial cost. However, they’re cheaper to operate in the long run because you can use a cheaper heating source like geothermal energy or an outdoor wood furnace.
As for the cost:
- Boiler: $3,200 to $9,000 (high-efficiency boiler)
- Pump: $500 to $800
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heated Driveway?
The average cost to run a 1,000 square foot heated driveway throughout the winter is between $120 and $600 per year. This depends on the system type, as well as local utility rates and snowfall per year. On a per-hour basis, heated driveways typically cost $4 to $8 an hour for a 1,000 square feet driveway.
Conclusion
Clearing your driveways and walkways of snow and ice during the winters can be both frustrating and time-consuming. Heated driveways, walkways, and sidewalks are an investment worth considering, not only to prolong the life of your outdoor surfaces but also to protect you and your family from slip and fall accidents.
At Heavenly Heat, Inc., our experts can help you find the right system for your needs. Give us a call at 1-877-523-5667 today to learn more about our services!
