Radiant Floor Heating Costs: Retrofit vs New Construction

Radiant floors are one of the most comfortable ways to heat a home, yet many homeowners are surprised to learn that retrofit radiant installations can cost 50–80% more than building the same system into new construction. In this guide, we walk through real radiant floor heating costs, explain why retrofits are more expensive, and help you decide which approach makes the most financial sense for your project.

Key Takeaways

Question	Short Answer
How much does radiant floor heating cost per square foot?	Our local pricing typically falls around $6–$15 per sq ft for radiant floor heating, depending on system type and project complexity. You can see a detailed Calgary breakdown in our guide on how expensive it is to put in heated floors.
Is retrofit radiant more expensive than new-construction?	Yes. Retrofit radiant floors usually cost 30–80% more than comparable new-construction systems because of demolition, floor build-up, and labour-intensive installation.
What costs more, electric or hydronic radiant?	Electric is often cheaper to install ($5–$10 per sq ft) but more expensive to operate, while hydronic systems typically run $10–$20 per sq ft installed but have lower long-term operating costs, especially in colder climates like Calgary.
What does a whole-house radiant system cost?	For a mid-size home, national data shows $20,000–$60,000 for hydronic radiant, which lines up with what we see on many Calgary projects that include boiler, manifolds, and controls.
Is radiant floor heating efficient enough to justify the cost?	Yes in many homes. Operating costs often fall between $65 and $250 per month, and radiant can reduce hot and cold spots, improve comfort, and help manage long winter heating bills when properly designed and installed.
Should I install radiant when building a new home?	If radiant comfort is on your wish list, new construction is the ideal time. Our new installation services are set up to design in-floor systems while the structure is still open, which keeps costs lower and design options higher.
Can I combine radiant floors with a boiler upgrade?	Absolutely. We often pair in-floor heating with new residential boiler systems to improve overall efficiency and reliability.

1. Radiant Floor Heating Basics: What You Pay For

Radiant floor heating uses warm water or electric elements beneath the floor surface to heat rooms evenly from the ground up. From a cost perspective, every system includes three main components: the heat source, the distribution in the floor, and the control system.

Hydronic vs Electric: Cost Drivers

Hydronic radiant uses a boiler and tubing to circulate hot water through the floors. Electric radiant uses cables or mats that heat up directly when powered.

• Hydronic radiant floor heating: typically $10–$20 per sq ft
• Electric radiant floor heating: typically $5–$10 per sq ft
• Radiant floor heating retrofit: often $6–$15 per sq ft or more, depending on demolition and rebuild

We design both hydronic and electric systems, and we select the approach based on your home layout, budget, and long-term operating cost expectations.

2. New Construction Radiant Floor Heating Costs Explained

When we install radiant floors during new construction, we work in step with your builder while the structure is still open. This timing lets us embed tubing or electric mats before flooring goes in, which reduces labour and avoids costly demolition.

Typical New Construction Price Ranges

Across industry data, new-construction radiant floor pricing usually falls around $6–$15 per sq ft, depending on system type and floor assembly. For hydronic radiant, area-based pricing often runs 55–75 per m² installed, which fits typical whole-home projects in new builds. Electric radiant mats in new builds usually cost less up front when used in smaller areas, although they can be less economical over large square footage.

System Type	New Build Typical Cost	Best Use Case
Hydronic radiant	$10–$20 per sq ft	Whole-home or main-level heating
Electric radiant	$5–$10 per sq ft	Bathrooms, entries, small zones

We typically integrate new radiant floors with a high-efficiency boiler, especially in Calgary’s climate where operating efficiency matters over long heating seasons.

3. Retrofit Radiant Floor Heating Costs: Why They Are Higher

Retrofit radiant means we install in-floor heating in an existing home, which usually involves working around finished spaces. This often requires removing flooring, preparing the subfloor, adjusting doors and transitions, and sometimes modifying structure or ceilings below to run piping or wiring.

Retrofit vs New-Construction Price Comparison

Across published data, retrofit radiant floor installs typically cost 30–50% more than similar new-construction systems. In some cases, especially with complex demolition or structural changes, retrofit costs can be 50–80% higher than new builds. Hydronic radiant in new construction often falls around 55–75 per m², while retrofit over-pour installs are more likely in the 75–95 per m² range. For a mid-size home of around 2,000 sq ft, that premium can add many thousands of dollars to the total budget.

4. Cost Breakdown: Per Square Foot And By System Type

When we prepare budgets with clients, we often start with per-square-foot benchmarks. These figures help you compare options room by room and understand how system selection impacts total cost.

Per-Square-Foot Benchmarks You Can Use

Across multiple industry sources, new-construction radiant floor pricing typically falls at about $6–$15 per sq ft for most residential projects. Retrofit pricing is usually closer to $8–$20 per sq ft, depending on how much demolition, subfloor work, and re-finishing is required. Whole-house hydronic radiant for a 2,000 sq ft home often totals $20,000–$60,000, while another dataset gives a typical range of $26,000–$54,000 for similar projects, including system and installation. A 2,300 sq ft radiant-floor project, such as a full-home renovation, can cost roughly $13,800–$48,000 when you include flooring removal and reinstallation.

Scenario	Typical Installed Cost
New-construction radiant floors	$6–$15 per sq ft
Retrofit radiant floors	$8–$20 per sq ft
Whole-house hydronic, 2,000 sq ft	$20,000–$60,000 total

5. Hydronic vs Electric Radiant: Price, Retrofit Fit, And Operating Costs

Choosing between hydronic and electric radiant is one of the biggest cost decisions you will make. We consider up-front cost, monthly operating cost, and whether your project is a small-area retrofit or a full-home system.

Hydronic Radiant Heating Costs

Hydronic systems use a boiler, manifolds, pumps, and tubing, so the initial hardware investment is higher. Installed hydronic radiant commonly falls between $10–$20 per sq ft, with some systems priced at $6–$20 per sq ft depending on design, insulation, and aluminium transfer plates. Hydronic retrofit pricing can reach around $18–$22 per sq ft, while comparable new hydronic installs might range closer to $15–$18 per sq ft.

Electric Radiant Heating Costs

Electric radiant mats and cables are simpler, which keeps installation labour lower. Typical installed cost for electric radiant mats runs about $8–$15 per sq ft, which fits the $5–$10 per sq ft range we often use as a guideline for many Calgary projects. Electric radiant is especially attractive for targeted retrofit zones, with some sources showing 30–50 per m² for small areas like bathrooms and entries.

6. Flooring Choices And Their Impact On Radiant Heating Costs

Flooring material has a direct impact on both radiant performance and installation cost. Some materials conduct heat very efficiently, while others require extra planning or are not ideal for certain systems.

Best Flooring Options For Cost And Performance

Tile and stone are among the best partners for radiant floors because they conduct heat very efficiently. From a cost standpoint, they may not be the cheapest floor finishes, but they let the radiant system run at lower water temperatures, which can save energy over time. Wood, laminate, vinyl, and rubber can also work with radiant heating when properly selected and installed. We pay close attention to manufacturer temperature limits and expansion characteristics, especially on retrofit projects where we are tying into existing finishes.

When we design a radiant system, we always match the heat output and water temperature to the flooring type so you get comfort without damaging the floor.

7. Labour, Demolition, And Hidden Retrofit Costs

Material pricing is only part of the story. Labour, demolition, and finishing work often separate a cost-effective new build from a more expensive retrofit.

What Adds Cost To Retrofit Radiant Floors

On retrofit projects we commonly address:

• Removal and disposal of existing flooring and possibly subfloor
• Levelling or reinforcing floors before new radiant assembly
• Raising floor height and adjusting doors, trim, and transitions
• Working from below, which can affect finished ceilings

These tasks increase labour hours and can push a retrofit into the higher end of the $8–$20 per sq ft range. In contrast, new-construction projects let us install tubing or cables before floors go down, which keeps labour more predictable and avoids rework.

8. Operating Costs: Monthly Bills For Radiant Floors

Up-front cost is only part of your investment. We always encourage homeowners to consider long-term operating costs when choosing between electric and hydronic radiant, or between retrofit and new builds.

Monthly Operating Cost Benchmarks

Industry data shows that monthly operating costs for radiant floor heating generally fall between $65 and $250 per month. The wide range depends on system type, home insulation, local energy rates, and how you control the system. Hydronic systems paired with a high-efficiency boiler can provide very cost-effective heat for larger homes and long winters. Electric radiant is often best used as a comfort upgrade in specific rooms because electricity costs can add up when heating large areas.

9. When Retrofit Radiant Heating Makes Financial Sense

Even with the higher cost, retrofit radiant floors can still be a smart investment in certain situations. We often recommend retrofit radiant when homeowners are already planning major renovations that involve floors, plumbing, or mechanical upgrades.

Good Candidates For Retrofit Radiant

You may benefit from retrofit radiant if:

• You are replacing flooring anyway as part of a renovation
• Your existing heating system is near end of life and due for replacement
• You have chronic cold spots or comfort issues that forced-air cannot solve
• You want to increase home value with a premium comfort feature

On some projects, we install radiant in key spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, and keep existing systems elsewhere to manage cost. Retrofit radiant is also attractive if you want the quiet, dust-free comfort of in-floor heating and are willing to invest for long-term satisfaction.

10. How We Help You Plan Radiant Heating Costs In Calgary

Every home is different, so we always start with a detailed assessment of your existing system, your home layout, and your comfort goals. Our role is to give you clear numbers, explain trade-offs, and design a system that fits both your budget and your long-term expectations.

Our Process For New Construction And Retrofits

For new builds, we coordinate with your builder and trades so that tubing, manifolds, and boilers are installed on schedule and to code. For retrofits, we inspect floors, structure, and existing heating equipment before we recommend hydronic or electric solutions. We also look at maintenance requirements and future service so that you can plan ahead and keep your radiant system running efficiently for years. If issues do come up later, our boiler and radiant technicians are available for boiler repair and system diagnostics to protect your investment.

Conclusion

Radiant floor heating delivers a level of comfort that traditional systems often struggle to match, but costs vary significantly between retrofit and new-construction installations. New builds usually see radiant pricing in the $6–$15 per sq ft range, while retrofit projects can run 30–80% higher once demolition and rebuilding are factored in. Hydronic systems tend to cost more to install but less to run, especially in a cold climate, while electric radiant suits smaller retrofit zones where simplicity is valuable. If you are planning a new home or a major renovation, adding radiant floors during construction is usually the most cost-effective way to enjoy warm, even heat throughout your space. For Calgary homeowners considering radiant floor heating, we are here to walk you through real numbers, design options, and the long-term implications of retrofit versus new-construction pricing so you can make an informed decision with confidence.