HEATING
Baseboard Heating Cost: Per Linear Foot in 2026
Estimate baseboard heating cost per linear foot — with the free HVAC calculator.
Baseboard heaters are the simplest, cheapest heat you can add — no ducts, no furnace. Here's the real 2026 cost per unit.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Baseboard heaters run $400–$650 per unit installed in 2026 (average $550; Homewyse $479–$570). The unit runs $65–$200; electrician labor $50–$120/hr. Electric baseboards run $300–$1,100; hydronic up to $1,400.
What it costs
An electric baseboard unit runs $65–$200. Professional installation runs $400–$650 per unit total. Hydronic (water-filled) units run $500–$1,400. A typical home needs 6-10 units, running $2,500–$5,000 total installed.
- Unit: $65–$200
- Installed per unit: $400–$650
- Hydronic: $500–$1,400
- Whole home (6-10 units): $2,500–$5,000
Electric vs hydronic
Electric baseboards are cheap to install and control per room — but expensive to run. Hydronic (water-filled) units heat more evenly and hold heat longer, but cost more upfront. Both are noiseless and easy to maintain.
Try the HVAC calculator
Enter the number of units and labor to estimate the project.