How Much Does a Heated Driveway Cost?
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Heated driveways may seem like a luxury option, but they can save time, headaches, and even money once winter rolls around. Heated driveway cost ranges from $3,000 to $25,000, with the national average at about $12,900.
Highlights
- The typical cost to install a heated driveway is between $3,000 and $25,000, with a national average of $12,900.
- Cost factors for heated driveway installation can include driveway size, driveway material, type of heating system, labor, installation, and materials.
- Some of the biggest benefits of installing a heated driveway are reduced shoveling, increased safety, driveway damage protection from shoveling, lack of maintenance requirements, and added home value.
- Installing a heated driveway is a job for a qualified professional as it requires advanced equipment as well as experience with plumbing, electrical work, and paving.
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For homeowners who deal with snow every year, the idea of eliminating winter shoveling is an attractive one—and a heated driveway can make that idea a reality. Functioning like radiant heat flooring, these snow-melting driveways can save homeowners from a dreaded (and often dangerous) chore, and they can be a practical advantage for older residents or people who struggle to clear snow on their own. With a heated driveway, homeowners can flip a switch and watch the snow melt on the driveway from the comfort of their living room, as opposed to donning heavy clothing and boots to remove snow manually.
According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, the cost of a heated driveway can start as low as $3,000 and will typically top out at $25,000, while the national average heated driveway cost is $12,900. Although costs rarely dip below the bottom of the typical range, they can certainly go higher for longer or oddly shaped driveways. In general, homeowners can expect to pay between $15 and $30 per square foot for heated driveways, including materials and installation. Installing a heated driveway will often cost two to three times as much as a regular driveway.
Factors in Calculating Heated Driveway Cost
When budgeting for the cost of a heated driveway, simply considering the national average of $12,900 may not be enough. There could be regional disparities in pricing due to the cost of labor, access, or the home’s location, especially if it’s remote. There will certainly be variances in the cost that correlate to the size of the driveway, but other factors can impact the cost of a heated driveway.
Driveway Size
Without heating elements, the cost to pave a driveway is around $2 to $15 per square foot on average. Driveway heating systems can increase that cost to $15 to $30 per square foot, including materials and installation. Longer, wider driveways with greater square footage will cost more than smaller, one-car driveways. Driveways with curves or irregular shapes will also cost more than straight driveways.
Driveway Material
The type of driveway can determine the price of heating it. Most heated driveways are made of asphalt, concrete, or pavers. Asphalt driveways cost more than concrete driveways cost without snow-melting systems, so it makes sense that an asphalt heated driveway would also be more expensive. The cost to install a heated concrete driveway averages $13 to $28 per square foot, while a heated asphalt driveway ranges from $12 to $27 per square foot. Heated paver driveways have the highest cost per square foot at $19 to $50.
Heating System Type
Those who are unfamiliar with heated driveway systems may wonder “How does a heated driveway work?” An electric system relies on electricity to heat coils beneath the driveway surface to melt snow. This system costs between $3,200 and $5,800. If the home does not currently have the electrical capacity to support this kind of system, installing an upgraded panel could increase the price significantly. A hydronic system uses boiling water flowing through embedded pipes to heat the driveway. This system costs $4,200 to $8,700 and may also require the installation of a new boiler unit or water heater at an additional cost. While hydronic systems cost more up front, they can be a more cost-effective option over time because they are less expensive to operate. The cheapest heating system for driveways is a portable mat that costs around $1,600 on average and can be placed on the driveway before inclement weather.
Labor, Installation, and Materials
Materials and installation costs can also affect the overall cost of a heated driveway. Large-scale extenuating events like labor shortages or shipping delays could impact the price, but homeowners will want to keep in mind that geographic location will also affect how much the project costs. Metropolitan areas typically have higher installation rates because of the higher cost of living, but some remote areas may add a surcharge for the distance traveled by the crew. If the installation includes demolition of the existing driveway, the total operation will be more expensive. Installation costs will also increase if the electrical connection is far away from the embedded cabling or tubing. Materials can also range in cost based on the location. For example, a blacktop driveway costs more in California than it does in Florida due to differences in demand and the availability of materials.
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Additional Costs and Considerations
Homeowners who wonder “How much does a heated driveway cost?” will want to consider their specific situation as well as the options that are available to them. Does the heating system require removing the old driveway and installing a brand-new one? If so, that will add to the cost. If the system has automatic controls, there will likely be a higher cost than there would be for a system with manual controls. Certain design elements can also jack up the price. Consulting a heated driveway cost calculator can help homeowners determine how certain design elements might impact the price
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New Driveway vs. Retrofit
Including heating elements if a driveway doesn’t yet exist is a fairly straightforward installation process. If there is already a driveway, one option is to remove it and install a new one with heating elements, but it’s not always necessary. It may be possible to retrofit a system into an existing driveway. (Homeowners will want to note that it’s easier to retrofit an asphalt driveway vs. a concrete one.) It involves making several saw cuts along the driveway into which the heating elements are placed. After the heating elements are connected to the system controls, the contractor will seal the slots, cover them in asphalt, and add hardscaping to conceal the cables. This job typically costs between $7 and $17 per square foot and is more easily done with electric systems than hydronic ones since the cables are thinner.
Existing Driveway Removal
If retrofitting the driveway is not possible, or the existing driveway is old or damaged, it may be necessary to remove the driveway and have a new one installed. Driveway removal costs an additional $1 to $2 per square foot on top of the project cost.
Manual vs. Automated Controls
Manual heated driveway systems are self-explanatory: Homeowners turn the system on when they want to melt snow or ice. An automated system senses when it needs to turn on, which can benefit people who have to leave early in the morning for work. An automatic system can also make getting into the driveway easier if it snows when nobody is home. Automated systems cost more to purchase and install—about $500 to $3,500 more than manual systems—and incur higher energy bills, especially when they’re installed in asphalt. This is because greater care must be taken due to the heat of the asphalt pour and the abrasive application process.
Drainage
As the snow on the driveway melts, it needs to be channeled somewhere to prevent refreeze as hazardous black ice, defeating the purpose of the entire snow-melting system. The driveway needs to slope away from the house, but if there’s not adequate draining, it may be necessary to dig a trench to allow for runoff or even install a drainage system at an additional cost of $30 to $100 per linear foot. It may also be necessary to heat the pipes and gutters used for drainage to prevent ice blockages.
Heated Sidewalk Installation
Installing heating elements in a sidewalk can reduce time spent shoveling and provide more safety to the walkways surrounding a home. The average cost for heated sidewalk installation is $12 to $32 per square foot. For most projects, the larger the total square footage, the lower the cost per square foot. This is why the cost per square foot for heated sidewalks is higher than it is for driveways. Homeowners can also opt for heated sidewalk mats, which have a lower cost range of $10 to $15 per square foot.
Design Elements
Some homes have driveways with design elements such as stamped or stained concrete. Adding one of these to a heated driveway could cost an extra $4 to $8 per square foot. A border of stone or brick pavers can cost an additional $10 to $17 per square foot.
Operating Expenses
One-time costs like purchase price and installation go away, but operating expenses go on forever. Depending on electrical costs and the amount of snowfall in a season, it can cost $120 to $600 per winter season to heat a 1,000-square-foot driveway. The national average is $0.14 per kilowatt per hour. Some radiant heat systems are more energy efficient than others, so it’s worth doing some research prior to installation.
Maintenance
If the driveway heating system was installed correctly, there’s very little ongoing maintenance for the system itself. Electric systems, in particular, have a reputation for being maintenance-free. However, the homeowner may need to have an electrician replace the electrical control board down the road at a cost of around $40 to $100 per hour. For a hydronic system, it’s a good idea to have the boiler inspected annually. If the tubing ruptures and starts to leak, the relevant section of the driveway will have to be dug out in order to repair or replace it. It’s important for homeowners to note that while a heating system can protect the driveway to an extent, the surface of the driveway itself will still need regular maintenance. Homeowners will want to continue to budget for driveway sealing costs and occasional repairs.
Heated Driveway Cost by Type of Heating System
There are three types of heated driveway systems: electric, hydronic, and portable. Electric and hydronic systems rely on heating elements underneath the driveway, and both can be automated with sensors that detect temperature and precipitation. Portable mats are the cheapest option and can be installed as a DIY project.
| Heating System Type | Average Cost (Materials Only) |
| Electric | $3,200 to $5,800 |
| Hydronic | $4,200 to $8,700 |
| Portable mats | $1,600 |
Electric
An electric system features a grid of electric cables installed below the driveway surface that, when turned on, use radiant heat to melt snow. They are typically easier and less expensive to install and run (depending on local utility rates) and can be retrofitted in an existing driveway. Electric systems also heat up quickly. However, if a winter storm knocks out the power grid or some other interruption to the electrical supply line, the system won’t work. The system may also require an upgrade to the home’s electric panel, which can add costs. Electric coil systems operate silently and are customizable. They can be configured in a variety of forms and patterns to suit curved driveways. Most homeowners pay between $3,200 and $5,800 before excavation for electric heated driveways.
Think a heated driveway is for you?
A top-rated pro can install one for you. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you.
Hydronic
A hydronic system utilizes a dedicated boiler system to pump heated water and antifreeze through a closed-loop PEX tubing grid embedded in or inserted beneath the driveway to melt snow. Hydronic radiant heat systems are more powerful than electric ones, but because they require an indoor mechanical room to house the components, they are usually more expensive than electric systems. Operating costs can be lower because the system can run on multiple forms of fuel, such as propane, natural gas, electricity, wood, or oil. However, a hydronic system typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than an electric system ($4,200 to $8,700 in total before excavation) and may require installing a new boiler unit or water heater for an added cost.
Portable Mats
Portable mats are the least costly heated driveway option as they do not require professional installation. Rather than being located underneath the surface of the driveway, they can simply be rolled out on top of the driveway when poor weather conditions are expected. Not only does this keep costs low, but this system also works equally well with any driveway material. The downside is the lack of convenience—homeowners must both be aware that a storm is expected and available to roll out the mat in order for it to be usefu