What Drives the Price of a Heated Driveway in Southwestern Ontario
No two quotes look the same, because no two driveways are the same. A handful of factors decide most of the number.
- Size.
Everything is priced by the square foot, so a long laneway costs far more than a single-car pad.
- Coverage. Heating only the tire tracks cuts the heated area by roughly 40 percent.
- System type. Electric costs less to install, while hydronic costs less to run.
- Site conditions. Removing an old slab, a steep slope, or tight equipment access all add cost.
Installation Costs: Electric vs. Hydronic
The table below shows typical budget ranges across the province for a heated driveway poured with new concrete. Treat them as a planning guide, since your site visit sets the real number.
On most two-car driveways, electric costs half as much as hydronic or less once a boiler is included. The gap narrows if your home already has a high-efficiency boiler with spare capacity.
What an Electric Quote Should Include
Our
electric heated driveway installation quotes list the heating work apart from the concrete. That shows exactly where your money goes.
- Heating cables sized to your layout and tied to the reinforcing mesh.
- Resistance tests before and after the pour.
- Sensors, controls, and dedicated circuits.
Why Hydronic Quotes Run Higher
Hydronic heated driveway systems add mechanical equipment that electric systems skip. Each piece adds cost up front.
- A dedicated boiler or a tie-in to your existing one.
- A manifold, circulation pump, and glycol fill so the fluid never freezes.
- Pressure testing of every tubing loop before the pour.
Hidden Costs London Homeowners Often Miss
The heating system is only part of the bill. These three items surprise people most.
Panel and Service Upgrades
An electric snow-melt system typically draws about 50 watts per square foot. A 400 sq ft driveway pulls around 20 kW, which is roughly 83 amps at 240 volts. Many homes cannot carry that load on top of a furnace, range, and dryer.
- Homes on 100-amp service almost always need an upgrade.
- A 200-amp service still needs a load calculation.
- A service change also means coordinating with London Hydro or your local utility.
Drainage for Meltwater
A heated driveway makes water in the middle of winter. Without a slot drain at the low point, it refreezes at the garage door or the sidewalk.
Permits and Inspections
- Electrical work needs an ESA notification filed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
- Gas and boiler work requires a TSSA-registered contractor.
- A wider driveway or new curb cut in London needs a City street permit.
What Each System Costs to Run Through a Local Winter
Operating cost depends on your energy price and when the system runs. The figures below use the
Ontario Energy Board's current electricity prices and October 2026 gas supply rates for London and the GTA.
Both examples assume a 400 sq ft driveway with the same heat output, using a 90 percent efficient boiler for hydronic. Prices cover energy only, so delivery charges add more to both bills.
How Time-of-Use Rates Change the Math
On electric, timing matters as much as snowfall. Automatic sensors help, because many storms roll in overnight when power is cheapest.
- Off-peak covers weekday nights, weekends, and holidays.
- An on-peak storm costs roughly double the same storm overnight.
- The Ultra-Low Overnight plan is cheapest from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., but its weekday 4 to 9 p.m. price is the highest of any plan.
- The OEB resets electricity prices every November 1, so check the new rates before winter.
Why Hydronic Costs Less Per Hour
Natural gas delivers heat for far less than electricity here, and the federal carbon charge came off gas bills on April 1, 2025. London and the GTA sit in different Enbridge rate zones, so check the
Ontario Energy Board's natural gas supply rates for your area. Just budget for a yearly boiler service visit.
What a Full Winter Might Look Like
Say your system runs 100 hours in a winter. A 400 sq ft electric driveway would use about 2,000 kWh, or roughly $195 to $285 in energy, depending on your price plan. A hydronic system would burn about 210 cubic metres of gas, or about $37 in London before delivery charges.
Which System Makes Sense for Your Driveway?
The cheaper system to buy is not always cheaper to own. Here is how it usually plays out.
Electric Usually Wins When
- The heated area is under roughly 600 sq ft.
- You only want tire tracks, a walkway, or steps heated.
- You want the lowest upfront cost and almost no maintenance.
Hydronic Pays Off When
- The driveway is large or long.
- Your home already has a high-efficiency boiler with spare capacity.
- You plan to stay for many years.
Timing affects cost too, since late-fall pours need cold-weather protection. Our guide on
whether there is still time to install a heated driveway before winter covers the schedule.
How to Get an Accurate Heated Driveway Quote
You do not need to work out electrical loads, boiler sizes, or drain locations yourself. That is the contractor's job, and it should all happen at the site visit. It is still smart to get 2 to 3 estimates, as long as you compare them on more than the bottom line.
- Cable or tubing brand and spacing.
- Sensors, controls, and drainage included.
- Electrical and gas work itemized.
- Licensing, permits, and written warranties.
Ready for real numbers? Call
(226) 777-6325 or request a free estimate, and we will price your driveway both ways. Every heated install carries our one-year workmanship warranty plus up to ten years of manufacturer coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Rebates for Heated Driveways in Ontario?
Not that we know of. The province's Home Renovation Savings Program covers upgrades like insulation, windows, and heat pumps, and snow-melt systems are not on that list. Check the program site before you renovate, since eligible upgrades can change.
Is a Heated Driveway Cheaper Than Paying for Snow Removal?
Rarely, on dollars alone. Most owners buy one for safety, convenience, and no salt damage on the concrete. It also keeps the driveway clear during the storm, not hours after the plow arrives.
What Does It Cost if a Cable or Tube Fails?
A repair means cutting into the slab and patching the concrete. That is why testing before and after the pour matters. Ask for the test records and a layout drawing, which make any future repair smaller and cheaper.
