How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Heater per Unit?
The national average price for labor to install an electric baseboard or wall heater is between $75 and $250 per hour. What you pay may be higher or lower depending on several factors.
Here’s a look at what affects baseboard heating costs:
Type and model may affect your baseboard heater installation cost
Features, like Hydronics (an electric heater that heats up hot water) or programmable thermostats, are pricier than less complex systems
Number of baseboard or wall units you’re installing
Heater costs in your area
How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Heater Near You?
The price to install an electric heater in your area varies. For example, the estimate to install three baseboard heaters that cover 1,500 to 25,000 square feet in up to five rooms is as follows:
| 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 Many Electric Baseboard Heaters Can I Get Installed on My Budget?
Because electric heaters require no ductwork, they’re a more cost-efficient heating option than some other heating sources. Most baseboard heaters range from about 3 to 10 feet long and about 3 to 4 inches wide.
Heaters can be mounted over carpeting and other flooring and are relatively inexpensive to operate. Many homeowners use them as supplemental heat or to heat a room addition.
If you have cold feet or live in a freezing climate, you may want to put an electric heater in every room. But, on average, most homes have six electric baseboard heaters.
The average cost to have a licensed electrician install an electric baseboard heater is between $390 to $1,190. The average cost of an electric baseboard heater is anywhere from $25 to $200.
If you take an average cost of $900.00 (heater and labor included), your budget options may include:
| Budget | Amount of Units |
|---|---|
| $3,500 | Almost four units (3.9) installed |
| $5,000 | 5.5 units installed |
| $7,500 | 8.3 units installed |
| $10,000 | 11 units installed |
| $12,500 | 14 units installed |
If you need more units than your budget allows, you may have to choose a less expensive electric heater model. However, if the total number of units ends up being less than you thought, you may want to splurge and choose units with more features.
How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Heater Yourself?
The cost of baseboard heating is relatively affordable. Baseboard and wall heaters are an efficient yet powerful heat source. They run silently, and only sacrifice a small amount of floor or wall space. While you could complete the installation yourself, especially if you’re pretty handy running electrical wires, you may want to take an extra measure of safety and hire a pro.
Set on DIY? Keep the following things in mind when installing baseboard or wall heating:
You’ll need to know how to calculate the size and wattage of your rooms.
You’ll need to hardwire your baseboard heaters into your home’s current electrical system.
This will require running new wires within the floors or walls and installing a new circuit in your electrical panel.
You’ll need to make holes in the floor for the baseboard units. Many manufacturers state requirements on the units for placement.
You should install a thermostat system to work with the baseboard heaters to automatically control the temperature in your home.
Safety Concerns
Baseboard heaters are relatively safe. They lack moving parts, which means a lot less maintenance and fewer repairs.
However, it is important to keep these safety measures in mind when installing baseboard or wall heaters:
Clear a space of at least 12 inches in front of the heater and at least 6 inches on either side.
Make sure drapes and furniture don’t block your heater unit to avoid a fire.
Open doors shouldn’t block heaters.
Do not use extension cords to lessen the chance of electrocution and fire.
Make sure the electrical baseboard heater you choose has an automatic shut-off feature.
To avoid burns, keep children and pets away from hot heaters.
The best baseboard heaters are UL certified and tested for safety.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Install a Baseboard Heater?
There are several factors that go into installing a baseboard heater. With proper installation, you’ll enjoy years of toasty warm heat on cold winter nights.
Replace Baseboard Heaters
If you are replacing your baseboard electric heating units, it’s recommended you have them removed by a professional, like an HVAC technician or licensed electrician.
Save on 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.
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 on your electrical panel.
Drill Some Holes
You or a hired professional will also drill holes in the floor to install your baseboard heaters. For that reason, you may be out the added cost to replace your current flooring.
