The national average cost to repair a baseboard heater is $287. Depending on labor costs and the size of the room, repairs can cost as much as $800.
Colder temperatures mean things like snow days and ski trips, but you’ll want to be sure your home is nice and cozy when you return. Depending on where you live, baseboard heaters can be a budget-friendly, simple solution to keep you and your family warm and toasty throughout the winter months. The average cost for repairs is between $139 and $441.
Before repairing or replacing baseboard heaters, here are some things to keep in mind in terms of cost.
Baseboard heater costs can vary city-to-city based on the area’s seasonal climate, the size of your home, the cost of materials to do the project, and the individual contractor you hire. Below is a breakdown of what the price to install baseboard heaters near you might be based on a few places around the U.S.
The cost to install or replace baseboard heaters tends to align with the national average in most states, however, homes in southern states with warmer year-round climates are generally more suitable for baseboard heating.
Each state has its own costs and requirements for building permits and licenses, so it’s a good idea to check on your area’s requirements before starting your project.
| State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $850 |
| Colorado | $780 |
| Texas | $780 |
| Ohio | $390 |
| Minnesota | $1,100 |
| Florida | $780 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,800 |
Several factors can increase the cost of your baseboard heater installation. If you want to pair it with a programmable thermostat, for example, you'll pay more than average. Typical baseboard heater costs depend on who you hire, the location in the room, and what model you choose.
The cost of labor to install a baseboard heater is around $75 to $250 per hour.
If you choose to wait until fall or winter to get your baseboard heater replaced or to get a new baseboard heater installed, that may increase the cost of hiring a contractor. This increase is because of the uptick in demand for their services as the chilly winter weather approaches and more homeowners are making sure they’re ready to heat their homes.
The number of baseboard heating units needed to properly heat the room will fluctuate based on the size of your room. That means you may need to factor in the cost of multiple heaters into your budget. Generally, you should plan to pay $300 to $500 per baseboard heater you buy with labor factored into that cost.
If your room has a lot of cabinets or furniture, that limits where you can install the baseboard heaters and may require additional time and effort to complete. The more time a contractor puts into the project, the more they’ll charge for the cost of labor. For safety reasons, you’ll need to install the baseboard heaters away from furniture or curtains and close to the floor.
Baseboard heaters that warm up small spaces can cost as little as $40, while larger models for heating bigger spaces like a living room or garage can be as much as $350. Including a programmable thermostat with your baseboard heating system costs between $30 to $70, excluding labor.
If you need to replace a baseboard heater, you have two choices: electric convection heaters or hydronic heaters. Both types fit snugly against baseboards in any room and can be perfectly placed under windows or near drafty doorways. Keep in mind, however, that you should not put anything closer than 12 inches above these heaters, as it may catch fire.
Before you decide which type of baseboard heater is right for you, consider the cost of each.
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electric Baseboard Heater | $45–$60 |
| Hydronic Baseboard Heater | $200–$250 |
Electric heaters are the cheaper of the two options up front, however, the long-term energy cost is more expensive. These heaters use heating coils, much like a toaster, to heat your room.
Once connected to your electrical system, you simply turn the heater on, and it draws in cool air from the floor, heats it, and pushes it out into the room. Downsides to electric baseboard heaters include less efficient energy transfer than hydronic options and quick dispersion of heat when you turn them off.
Hydronic baseboard heat is a more energy-efficient alternative to electric baseboard heat. Hydronic or oil-filled heaters have a sealed pipe of either water or oil inside their casings, which is warmed via heating coils. Once the water or oil is hot enough, it begins to heat the surrounding air.
Electricity-to-heat ratios are excellent with this type of heater, and they stay warmer much longer after being turned off. However, expect longer initial heating times as the sealed fluid warms up.
Besides the cost of labor, baseboard heater repair can cost as little as $50 or as much as $800. However, you’ll have to hire a local licensed electrician to ensure the work is compliant with building codes (and make sure the project is safe for everyone involved).
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.
Electric baseboard heat cost per month is generally around $400 for a 1,200 square-foot house. However, that cost may fluctuate depending on the climate and weather conditions.
Sadly, electric convection baseboard heaters are less energy efficient as they cool down fairly quickly. However, electric baseboard heaters can last 20+ years, so you’ll likely not have to replace them for a long time.
The cost and general reliability tend to be the driving factors for homeowners who choose electric vs. hydronic.
When considering the pros and cons of baseboard heaters, price is actually one of the top reasons why baseboard heating continues to remain popular. A single room usually costs between $100 and $150 for materials and installation, whereas forced-air furnace systems can easily reach $5,000 for a moderately sized house.
Baseboard options give you room-by-room control, rather than using a "universal" setting. Many of these heaters are also 100% efficient, meaning all electricity used is converted directly to heat.
On the other hand, homes with forced-air furnaces sell more competitively because they can be easily adapted to include add-on systems, such as whole-house dehumidifiers or central air conditioning. And while your upfront costs are low, baseboard heating is the most expensive option month-over-month, so you’ll want to consider your climate to determine overall worth.
Replacing electric baseboard heaters can save you money as newer units will require less frequent maintenance. You'll also need to replace your old heaters if the elements inside become corroded or damaged. The first sign will be a lack of heat, or a convection system that takes far too long to warm a room.
It's also worth considering a replacement to improve safety because newer models come with temperature-limit switches that automatically shut off the heater if too-high temperatures are detected.
