Heated Floor Cost in Toronto
Expect to pay anywhere between $6 and $16 per square foot. So, how much is this in reality? Well, let’s say that you need to have 1,325 square feet of hydronic radiant flooring installed. This would be a total cost of $7,950 to $21,200. Of course, this number will depend also on how many different temperature zones you need, the complexity of the project, and the total size of the system itself.
Crunching numbers is always difficult, especially if you do not know where to start. When you attempt to budget for your floor heating, you need to know what it will cost you to find out if it is a wise move for you and your family to make financially. In this article we will go over some factors to help you understand the cost of installing and maintaining floor heating system in Toronto.
AVERAGE COST OF HEATED FLOORS SYSTEM
It is no surprise that radiant floor heating systems will cost more than just traditional floors or forced air heating systems. But, the cost is worth it for your comfort AND radiant floor heating systems are supposed to last up to three decades or more with the proper care and maintenance.
Since hydronic radiant systems are the most popular, we will focus on those for the cost analysis. When it comes to the installation, you will need to have the system installed and sometimes, your current floor will need to be removed and replaced.
While the price may seem quite high, it DOES often include the removal of your current floor and addition of a new floor, so that is one positive when it comes to the price.
Now, if you choose to have electric radiant flooring installed, you can expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $12 per square foot. While it is cheaper to install, it will cost you more money in the long run, as it runs off of your electricity.
COST FACTORS TO CONSIDER
We mentioned a couple of the cost factors above, but it is important that we put them in one place, so you can understand what to look for.
When you want to have floor heating installed, you need to consider the amount of heating needed. The square footage of heating is what is going to be your biggest cost in the whole process. In addition to that, you need to determine how much labor is required for the job. For example, it will cost more if you need to have a floor removed than if the floor is already removed.
The location you plan to have the flooring installed matters too. Some areas need to have supplies imported, etc., which means it will cost you more for the flooring. You can always see if you can get a discount on the costs if you supply the supplies needed for the job.
If you have any questions about how much floor heating costs, contact the team at Heavenly Heat Inc. today.
Thermostats and Accessories
Heavenly Heat Inc. provides a wide range of thermostats ranging from Wi-Fi smart thermostats to programmable thermostats. Typically, you are likely to spend between $100 and $300 to acquire a floor heating thermostat. If you intend to integrate the thermostat into your home automation system, you will likely spend more. A programmable thermostat could allow you to make significant energy savings. It will allow you to set up a reasonable heating schedule for your floor heating system, eliminating wasteful energy use. It’s advisable to install a thermal break underlayment if you install a floor heating system above a concrete slab subfloor.
Labour and Materials
While considering the cost of a new floor heating system, you have to consider the costs of a new floor. Tile is the most common heating flooring surface, and its cost will depend on several factors. On the lower side, the tiles for a new floor will cost around $2 per sq. ft. However, luxurious tiles could cost up to $25 per sq. ft. The cost of luxury vinyl tiles ranges between $2 and $7 per sq. ft. For nailed hardwood floors, the costs will vary depending on the species of wood, its quality, and its thickness. For softwood like pine, the cost may range between $3 to $6, while for hardwood like mahogany, the cost may range between $8 and $14. The cost of a heated concrete floor may range between $2 and $30 depending on the features desired. You should also consider the cost of adhesives like thin-set or self-levelling cement. If you intend to hire professional installation services, factor in the labour costs.
The final price of your heated floor depends on the product you choose:
TYPES OF FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS
ABOVE-FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS
Just like their name suggests, above-floor heating systems are installed above the concrete slab subfloor or below finished floors. The installation of above-floor systems involves using grooved wood panels, which are fitted beneath the finished floors. A PEX tubing is placed inside the panel grooves. The panel area and its width vary depending on the manufacturer. These panels work well with different floor coverings, including vinyl, wood, tile, marble, and carpeting.
BELOW-FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS
The below-floor heating systems are installed beneath the subfloor. While installing the systems, experts could attach a PEX tubing to the subfloor’s bottom or suspend it from the subfloor. The below-floor system is more affordable than the above-floor system and the hydronic systems. The system is suitable for retrofits. The downside of the below-floor heating systems is that they need a higher temperature source to reach the same heat load as the above-floor systems.DUAL-FUNCTION PANEL SYSTEMS
The dual-function panel system is ideal for use with PEX tubing. The system is a combination of the structural requirements of a radiant floor heating system and the subfloor framework. The panel is manufactured from engineered comply tongue-and-groove. It contains an alloy aluminum sheet that conforms to the groove pattern and is permanently bonded to the surface.
ELECTRIC RADIANT FLOOR HEATING
The electric radiant floor heating is an ideal option if you are a DIY expert seeking to keep your floors heated. The installation process for electric radiant floor heating is straightforward, and a licensed electrician will only come in during the final electrical hook-up. This type of heating goes well with most types of flooring. You only need to ensure that your home can withstand the associated electrical responsibilities. Most manufacturers recommend an electric radiant floor heating system of 15-amp or 20-amp circuit.
HYDRONIC FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS
With the hydronic concrete slab systems, hot water is circulated through plastic pipes installed in the concrete of the basement flooring. You can control the flow of water to different areas of your basement floor via a single thermostat. Even if the system is expensive to install, it often leads to savings of up to 40% of the cost of operation after its installation. The heating system is ideal both for new floors and floors that have been in use. Hydronic radiant heating works best when installed by a licensed installer. Therefore, you should not give in to the temptation of DIY installation.
The hydronic concrete slab systems are not the most practical or economical basement floor radiant heating systems for an existing basement despite their popularity among homeowners. You should only consider them if you intend to replace the concrete slab. The system is ideal for new constructions. Most new homeowners opt for this system because, when installed properly, it is more efficient than the other heating systems.
A basement floor radiant heating system will help you recuperate long-term energy savings. The system can be used on its own or alongside HVAC. The most significant advantage of the radiant heating system is its quietness. You do not have to endure constant noise from blowers, fans, or cracking pipes. At Heavenly Heat Inc., our aim is to provide you with high-quality basement floor radiant systems that meet your unique needs. We have more than ten years’ experience in radiant heating systems, Toronto. We are the leading manufacturer and distributor of radiant heating systems. Get in a touch with us today for a quote.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYDRONIC AND ELECTRIC HEATED FLOOR
Hydronic Floor Heating Systems
The main benefit of hydronic systems is that they deliver more heat and a more affordable operating cost than electric systems. The initial costs of installing a hydronic heating system are higher. However, it is a better option than electric systems, especially when heating large floor areas like the entire house. A hydronic system consists of a pump, boiler, and gas lines; it is more complex than an electric system. The heat source for a hydronic system could be a standard water heater or a boiler. There is a high chance that your existing boiler can handle a hydronic system if you have installed baseboard units or hot water radiators.
Electric Floor Heating Systems
An electric heating system works just like an electric blanket. Relatively few homes rely entirely on in-floor electric systems because electricity is expensive. An electric heating system has three main components: a thermostat, heat cable, and a temperature sensor. The thermostat, usually connected to the power supply, turns the heat on and off depending on the floor’s temperature. There is a sensor installed on the floor alongside a cable that enables the thermostat to detect how warm or cold the floor is. The sensor and the thermostat are usually packaged together; you can buy the cable separately. It is advisable to use a thermostat and cable from the same manufacturer.
BENEFITS OF INSTALLING A HEATED FLOOR
Efficiency of use
After the initial installation, under floor heating does not require maintenance and will serve you for many years. The heating systems come with a 30-year guarantee, ensuring that you have peace of mind. You can choose between the Smart WiFi thermostat or the programmable thermostat to have your heating system run in an efficient manner. A programmable thermostat can be programmed or set in a way that heating comes on during certain times. The programmable thermostat allows you to switch off the heating system during nighttime. With the Smart WiFi thermostat, the heating system switches on and off automatically depending on the floor’s temperature.
Works with all types of covering the floor
Because underfloor heating works well with all walls and floor spaces, it gives you the freedom to design your home the way you like. You will be free to choose the flooring type you want, including wood, laminate, tile, stone, carpet, and more. The heating systems work well with ceramic and stone tiles, including marble, concrete, and slate/flagstone. The heating system will also work well with all types of wood floorings, including bamboo, engineered wood, softwood, solid hardwood, and parquet. You are free to choose flooring types like laminate, vinyl, carpet, and rubber.
Energy-efficient heating
You can choose between two radiant floor-heating options: water-based and electric systems. Both systems are efficient and provide heating in a room from the floor up. An electric system warms the floor by heating the wiring beneath the floor. The water-based system works by running hot water through the pipes to create heat. To heat a room effectively, a conventional radiator needs to be heated up to a temperature of between 65-75 degrees Celsius or 149-167 degrees Fahrenheit. However, to produce ample heat, floor heating only needs to run at a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius/ 84 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Therefore, floor heating systems will keep your energy bills much lower because they consume less energy.
It gives you more space and the choice of doing better design
With a radiant floor heating system, you do not need radiators on the wall to enjoy whole room heating. The floor heating systems give you the design freedom that you can’t get with radiators. Even the modern radiators can’t offer this convenience because they still take up room on the wall. With a floor heating system, you will be free to decorate the walls as you like to achieve a minimalistic look or make a statement. You do not have to plan around radiators every time you want to add some details to your walls.
Safety
Floor heating systems are ideal, especially if you have younger family members in the house due to their unmatched safety. You won’t have to worry about hot surfaces or the sharp edges of radiators. The heating system is tucked away from your living space and will never be too hot to the touch. Radiant floor heating systems also help enhance the air quality in a room, keeping the room oxygen-rich and keeping the air fresh. Radiators could reduce oxygen levels and increase discomfort in a room. With a floor heating system, you do not have to endure thermal circulation and the dust that goes in circles.
Easy to install
Mainly, if you make it part of a building or renovation project, underfloor heating is easy to install. You can even install some floor heating systems as a DIY project. Some heating systems have pre-spaced wires readily attached to the mesh. All you need to do is roll out the heating system in place. You will enjoy convenience while cleaning the rooms. Unlike the nooks and crannies associated with radiators, floor-heating systems keep the rooms dust-free. Electric heating systems are much easier to install than hydroponic heating systems.
