How Much Does a Heated Driveway Cost?
A heated driveway costs $12,800, on average, or between $9,600 to $19,200 for the average two-car driveway of 640 square feet. Small, single-car driveways might cost only $4,800, while large driveways can hit $25,000 or more. This’ll include the driveway installation, the heating system, and all labor.
Heating comes in two varieties, the less common hydronic systems and the often-used electric systems. You can also choose to have manual or automatic systems and might want to include your sidewalks, patio, and walkways in the overall project.
Average Heated Driveway Costs
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $12,800 | $25,000 | $4,800 |
Heated Driveway Costs by Type
The cost of a heated driveway might run $9,600 to $19,200 for the average two-car driveway, but it’ll vary a bit depending on which system you choose.
Electric systems are simpler to install and require no heating components in your home, so they cost a bit less upfront. But electrical systems might cost a bit more to operate over the long term. Hydronic systems require more work to install but usually cost less to run over time.
Electric
Electric snow melt systems are a form of radiant heat and cost an average of $3,200 to $5,800 for the system alone. The driveway materials (asphalt or concrete) plus labor more than double that price. This system relies on an electrical resistance cable embedded about two inches into your driveway surface material.
Hydronic
Hydronic systems, which rely on a heated liquid pumped through pipes, cost $4,200 to $8,700 for the system alone. Hydronic systems typically cost 30% to 50% more than electric systems.
Hydronices pump a mixture of heated water and often antifreeze through pipes buried in your driveway. They also require a boiler and pump, usually located within your home. Due to the extra equipment needed, they cost a bit more. However, since they often use natural gas, they’re often much more efficient to run over the long term.
Portable Mats
Some DIY snow melt mats cost as low as $5 per square foot. Large heated mats for a driveway cost $10 per square foot for the system alone. Although a great DIY option, you’ll still need to hire a local electrician to wire it directly to your home's panel.
Heated Driveway Cost per Square Foot
Most homeowners pay between $15 and $30 per square foot for a heated driveway. This includes materials and installation. An electrical heated driveway system cost ranges from $5 to $9 per square foot, not including labor or the driveway itself. The driveway costs add a bit, which we go into in detail in the next sections.
Heated Concrete Driveway Cost
Installing a heated concrete driveway costs $12,800 on average but does not include removing the existing driveway. Concrete driveway installation costs $7 to $20 per square foot, not including a snow melt system, which has to be installed at the same time.
Heated Asphalt Driveway Cost
A heated asphalt driveway costs $9,900 on average. An asphalt driveway costs between $7 to $15 per square foot without adding heating. It costs slightly less than concrete simply because of the lower material and labor costs involved.
Heated Sidewalks Cost
Heated sidewalks cost $12 to $32 per square foot. The higher cost per square foot is due to the lower area, even though it takes just about as long to install. Generally, increasing the size of the project lowers the per-square-foot price. You can also purchase sidewalk mats for $10 to $15 per square foot.
Heated Walkway Cost
The price of a heated walkway typically costs from $12 to $32 per square foot. Costs depend on the type of system you use, as well as if you opt for asphalt or concrete. Installing a concrete walkway costs $6 to $12 per square foot, plus another $6 to $20 per square foot for heating. The cost to install asphalt for a walkway runs from $28 and $52 per linear foot (also not including heating).
Other Heated Driveway Cost Factors
Besides the cost of the materials and labor, you’ll also want to consider a few other factors that may play into the overall cost. These will vary from project to project, so it’s best to consult your installation pro.
Drainage
Drainage systems cost $30 to $100 per linear foot for driveways and might prolong the life of your heating system. If your driveway doesn’t drain properly, you may notice a buildup or pooling of water. You’ll want to have your driveway graded properly when you install a heating system. This helps keep standing water from affecting both the system and hurting the driveway.
Removal
Driveway removal costs an additional $1 to $2 per square foot over your project price. You don’t always need to remove the entire driveway to install a heating, but sometimes, if the concrete or asphalt is due for a replacement, it might be the best option.
New Driveway vs. Retrofit
Retrofitting can save you up to $4,000 on your project. It’s likely less expensive and creates less waste to retrofit a driveway with a radiant heating system. There are three main methods to retrofit and depend on the type of driveway you have.
Overlay a layer of asphalt over the top of the existing driveway, embedding the cables or pipes under that top layer. Typically only works with asphalt.
Saw cut channels for the pipe or cable. Also works when doing just the tire tracks.
Tear out the old driveway and install a new one.
Automation
Most modern units sold or installed in driveways have automation built in. There are manual overrides, so you can use it when it wouldn’t otherwise kick on. Most automation senses snow and ice to trigger the system, which generally tends to run for about an hour after it stops sensing moisture.
Maintenance
Electric systems are maintenance-free, so long as you repair cracks in your driveway. Driveway repairs cost less than replacing the entire system. You’ll want to inspect any exposed wires. Always check mats and pads for cracks or signs of wear.
Hydronic systems often have a boiler and pump, which should be serviced annually. You’ll typically won’t need to flush the system, if it’s a closed system. But it’s a good idea to ask your professional if they recommend regular maintenance or flushes, as maintenance needs tend to vary a bit from brand to brand.
Benefits of Installing a Heated Driveway
The benefits of installing a heated driveway might outweigh the costs, particularly if you live in a northern climate where it snows and ices over often. Heated driveways do several things:
Reduce salt and chemical usage
Eliminate the need to shovel or hire a snow removal service
Save time and effort
Make it safer to drive and walk
Keep your driveway dry, reducing cracks and spalling from water freeze cycles
DIY Heated Driveway Installation vs. Hiring a Professional
For built-in heating, whether electric or hydronic, hire a local heated driveway installation contractor. They'll need to embed the wires or pipes in your concrete or asphalt. You’ll also need to make sure a local plumber installs the hydronic system and an electrician connects the electrical or expands the service. Even if you decide to use DIY mats—excellent short-term solutions—you’ll want an electrician to hook the mats up to your electrical panel.
No matter if you plan on removing your existing driveway first or laying a new driveway, you’ll need a professional to install your heated driveway. There is complex electrical and sometimes plumbing work to be done, on top of retrofitting or installing a driveway correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following the national average of $0.16 per kilowatt hour, you would pay about $2.20 per hour for a snowstorm. Electric rates vary based on where you live but continue to rise with other forms of energy. For an accurate estimate, contact your electric company or look at a bill to find costs for your area. Also, electric rates fluctuate throughout the year and throughout a single day. Running the system during off-peak usage hours reduces your bill.
Heated driveways use radiant heat underneath the driveway to melt away snow. They either heat up with electric coils or from hot water flowing through pipes, coming from your boiler. These electric cables and pipes are generally only a couple of inches under the surface. As they heat, they heat up the thermal mass of the asphalt or concrete, which melts away the snow and ice. They usually run for an extra period after all the snow is melted to dry out the surface and avoid ice accumulation.
Driveway heating systems can be installed under almost any driveway surface, including patios, sidewalks, and decks. Wherever you don’t want to have to shovel, you can install this same heating system under there, too, so you never have to worry about shoveling.
Remember that it’s best to have your boiler placed as near as you can to the driveway. Most systems will have a mechanism that activates the system when snow falls. Even when you’re on vacation or away from your home, your driveway will stay clear for your return.
Heated driveways will melt off snow at a rate of about two to three inches per hour. The actual rate of melt depends on the temperature you have the heating set at, the type of driveway you have, and the climate you’re in. Your driveway will melt much faster in 32 degrees than it will at zero degrees. So expect your results to vary a bit.
Heated driveways can crack, but typically this only happens if the system is malfunctioning. When the heated coils or tubes are much higher than the concrete, cracking can occur. You’ll generally be able to fix this with little more than crack sealant and resurfacing. However, you’ll need to make sure the system has been fixed prior to repairing the concrete.
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