The cost of radiant floor heating is like most other elements used in home design, it does not have a single base to price from. Since there is more than one type of radiant floor heating, the cost will depend on which type of radiant floor heating you choose, the size and architectural style of your home, the ease of placing radiant floor heating in a new home construction versus having to raise an existing foundation, and the company you choose to purchase it from and the cost of professional installation versus doing it yourself.
The three types of radiant floor heating are radiant panel heating, hydronic or liquid floor heating, and electrical floor heating. Each of which has its own cost analysis base to build from. You will also find that each type has diverse installation cost, and monthly performance cost. While hydronic radiant floor heating cast more to install than radiant panel or electrical radiant floor heating, it cost less to run monthly.
The most cost effective use of hydronic systems monthly is their use in large homes or commercial buildings. With the hydronic radiant floor heating systems dependence on boilers which are tied in with solar panels or ground heat pumps, this affects their monthly energy cost, and allows them to run for less money.
Radiant panels and electrical radiant floor heating systems use of electrical energy causes their cost to rise with their use, and the rising cost of electricity. They are still up to 30% more cost effective than forced air heating, and can prove cost effective in the long run.
Since radiant floor heating systems are usually installed in areas defined as zones, they can be installed for use in only one or two rooms if the home owner wishes. Cost for the installation of an electrical radiant floor heating system runs anywhere from $500-$800 for the smallest zones like the bathroom or kitchen.
Radiant panel systems cost is lower than the electrical radiant floor heating system, with a price range of $200-$500, but you must add in the cost of a thermostat for each panel at the cost of around $50.
The more advanced the system the higher the cost. Most radiant floor heating systems run anywhere form $6 to $15 per square foot. If you have a home that is in the 2500 square foot range, it can cost upwards of $8000 for you to install radiant floor heating. The variance of cost can also depend on whether you are using a wet installation or a dry one. Wet being an installation in a new structure before the flooring is placed, and a dry being the installation in an existing home which requires for the house to be raised, in some cases. Dry installations of a quality system that features a top of the line boiler and control system can cost $6-$12 per square foot. The same system in a wet installation can cost $5-$11 per square foot.
Whichever method of radiant floor heating you choose, a little research now can save a few large headaches later when it comes to the cost of a radiant floor heating system.