Heated Driveway Systems: Types, Pros, Cons, and Costs

A heated driveway system can melt snow and ice, keeping your driveway clear and maintenance-free in the wintertime. You can choose a hydronic, electric, or portable mat system, each with its own benefits, drawbacks, and costs. Learn all about heated driveway systems to help you decide the best choice for your home. 

What are Heated Driveway Systems?

Heated driveway systems use radiant heat to warm the surface material and keep it clear of snow and ice. A network of heating elements, such as heat-resistant electric cables or PEX tubing, work below the surface. Driveway heating systems are compatible with concrete, asphalt, brick, pavers, and other materials. There are three types of driveway heating systems: hydronic (water-based), electric, and portable heated mats. Once installed, the systems are typically low-maintenance and automated. A paving pro can ensure that there is proper drainage for water run-off.

Types of Driveway Heating Systems

When choosing a system for your property, focus on the pros and cons of heated driveway systems. Here’s a breakdown of the three main types of driveway heating systems.

Electric Heated Driveways

Electric heated driveway systems use insulated cables woven into mesh mats that sit below the surface material. Arranged in a grid-like format, the system connects to the household current through a buried electrical line and a wall-mounted control unit. You can set the system to manual or automatic. It can turn on based on temperature or weather forecast if you have it hooked up to WiFi. 

Pros of Electric Heated Driveways 

• Easier and less expensive to install than hydronic

• Doesn’t require a boiler or mechanical room for operation

• Connects to existing household current

• Easy-to-configure layout

• Can last up to 20 years

• Energy-efficient

Cons of Electric Heated Driveways

• Tends to have higher operating costs than hydronic systems

• Less versatile due to only one power source

Hydronic heated driveways use a boiler and pumps to send a mixture of hot water and antifreeze through polymer tubing. The heat spreads through the tubing and to the surrounding areas to warm the entire driveway. Hydronic boilers can be gas, electric, oil, solar, or even wood-fired. Hydronic heated systems can be automatic or manual.

Pros of Hydronic Heated Driveways 

• Lower operating costs than electric systems

• Melts snow quickly

• Can handle large areas

• Can be manual or automatic 

• Can last up to 20 years

Cons of Hydronic Heated Driveways 

• More expensive and difficult to install

• More difficult to repair than electric heated driveways

• Requires more maintenance than electric 

• Requires a space or mechanical room for pump and boiler

• Can sometimes provide uneven heating

Portable Heated Mat Driveway Systems

Portable heated driveway mats are made of electric heating materials covered with a durable polymer that you can drive over. You can place portable mats on top of your driveway in pairs to line up with your tires. You can plug them into a nearby outlet and control them with a remote.

Pros of Portable Heated Driveway Mats

• Least expensive option

• Doesn’t require professional installation or repaving the driveway

• Able to be moved and adjusted, such as to walkways, decks, and driveways

• Comes in a variety of lengths and widths

• Available in 120- and 240- volt

• Easy to set up 

• Great for adding to an existing driveway

Cons of Portable Heated Driveway Mats

• Not suitable for harsh climates with heavy snowfall

• Doesn’t cover the whole driveway 

Cost of Heated Driveway Systems

The cost of heated driveway systems runs from $12 to $21 per square foot, including materials and labor. If you need to remove your driveway first, budget for an extra $1 to $2 per square foot for removal. To add a heating system to an existing driveway, expect to pay $7 to $17 more per square foot for installation.

Heated asphalt driveways cost $8,600 on average, while heated concrete driveways come in at $7,550 on average. Concrete driveways tend to hold up better to heated systems than asphalt.

Hydronic systems cost between 30 and 50% more to install than electric systems due to the need for a boiler, pumps, and gas lines. However, hydronic systems tend to cost less to operate. 

The cost of portable heating driveway mats depends on size, with large mats coming in at about $1,000.

Cost to Operate a Heated Driveway

The cost to operate a heated driveway varies by the utility rates in your area, the size of your driveway, and the harshness of the winter. Electric systems tend to be more expensive to run than hydronic, but either system typically costs $150 to $600 per year to operate.

Who Installs Heated Driveway Systems?

Unless you use portable mats, you’ll want to hire a pro to install your heated driveway system. They have the tools, knowledge, and skills to handle the job — and they'll make sure it drains properly. Installing a heated driveway system is not only tricky, but often back-breaking, especially if you need to demolish a driveway. Reach out to a local professional asphalt driveway company or concrete driveway company to discuss options for your property.