How Much Does Electric Baseboard Heating Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $416 - $1,536
The average cost to install electric baseboard heaters is $974, but can vary depending on labor, if hardwiring is needed, and if you’re replacing another system.
The cost to install electric baseboard heaters is $974. Depending on the specifics of your project, you can expect to pay between $416 to $1,536. Ultimately, what you’ll pay will depend on the price of materials, the kind of electric heater, and how cozy and warm you want your home to be.
- Average
- $974
- Low end
- $118
- high end
- $4,000
Cost to Install a Baseboard Heater per Unit
The national average price for labor to install an electric baseboard or wall heater is between $75 and $250 per hour.
| Type of Baseboard Heater | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electric | $200–$1,100 |
| Hydronic | $400–$1,200 |
Cost Factors for Installing a Baseboard Heater
There are several factors to consider when installing a baseboard heater.
Replace Baseboard Heaters
If you are replacing your baseboard electric heating units, hire an HVAC technician or licensed electrician to remove them. While turning off a radiator might be DIY-able, hiring a pro is recommended for making changes to heating systems. The average cost to hire a licensed electrician ranges from $50 to $100 per hour.
Labor Costs
If you install electric baseboard heaters in a new home, you can run the wires before adding floors or sheetrock—saving on labor costs. The average cost to hire a licensed electrician to install an electric baseboard heater is between $390 and $1,190. The average cost of an electric baseboard heater is anywhere from $25 to $200.
Hardwire Into Your Electrical System
If you are replacing another heat source, you will need to hardwire into your current electrical system and likely add a new circuit to your electrical panel. Hiring a professional electrician for rewiring costs $2 to $4 per square foot.
Drilling Holes
You’ll need to drill holes in the floor to install your baseboard heaters, so you may need to replace your current flooring. Installing new flooring costs between $5 to $20 per square foot, depending on the type of flooring.
Cost Per Month to Run a Baseboard Heater
If you’re heating your home for ten hours a day, running a baseboard heater could cost between $500 to $1,000 per month, depending on the home’s size and quality of insulation. A more insulated room will require around 10 watts per square foot, while a less insulated room would require around 15 watts per square foot to heat the baseboards.
How Many Electric Baseboard Heaters Can I Get Installed on My Budget?
Check out this budget guide for baseboard heaters.
| Budget | Number of Units |
|---|---|
| $3,500 | 3 |
| $5,000 | 5 |
| $7,500 | 8 |
| $10,000 | 11 |
| $12,500 | 14 |
Heaters can be mounted over carpeting and are relatively inexpensive to operate, often used as supplemental heat or for room additions. If you live in a freezing climate, consider placing an electric heater in every room. On average, most homes have six electric baseboard heaters. If your budget limits the number of units, opt for a less expensive model, but if you end up with fewer units than planned, consider investing in models with additional features.
Cost to Install an Electric Heater Near You
Here’s pricing to install three baseboard heaters that cover 1,500 to 25,000 square feet in up to five rooms:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $320–$1,090 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $675–$1,540 |
| New York, NY | $460–$1,175 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $390–$1,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $420–$1,080 |
| Boston, MA | $375–$1,100 |
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Kathryn Pomroy contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baseboard heaters are relatively safe, but there are some safety measures that you should keep in mind. In addition to having them professionally tested for safety, the baseboard heaters should not be blocked by open doors, drapes, or furniture, they should have clear space surrounding them, and an automatic shut-off feature to promote the safest experience. If you have kids or pets, make sure they steer clear of hot heaters to avoid burns.
Most manufacturers recommend that you have at least 12 inches of clearance in front of your baseboard heater. You can put furniture in front of the heater, but it must be 1 foot away. Anything less is a fire hazard.
You can replace an electric baseboard heater by turning off all the power to the heater at your fuse box. Remove the old unit, which can be a bit tricky depending on the original installation. Set the baseboard heater on the floor in front of where you want it installed. Wire the new unit the same way the old unit was wired and mount it to the wall. To save you a few headaches and ensure all safety precautions are taken, you may want to hire a professional to install your new unit(s).
Yes. Electric baseboard heaters can save on your energy costs. Some systems, like forced air systems, are less expensive than electric baseboard heat. A 2000-watt baseboard heater can warm 200 square feet of space in about 15 minutes.
As an example, the current electric heat cost in the mid-Atlantic area (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware) is about 15 cents per kWh. So, for a 2,200-square-foot house, electric baseboard heat will cost $2,485 a year.