How Much Does It Cost To Install Electric Air Curtain Heating?
$2,276
Electric Air Curtain Heating Costs
Electric forced-air heating can be a low-cost installation choice for adding heating at distributed points of a home without requiring special ventilation. Electric heating can be expensive considering electricity prices.
You will find that the cost to install average electric air curtain heating depends upon the unit power rating (or door width), electric circuit availability and length, preparation and special requirements, and the labor rate.
In the following table the Labor Cost figure is what the able DIY person should expect to save by performing the installation.
Electric air curtain heating: install a surface mounted, over-door unit on a wood frame wall header. Provide all related materials, supplies, transport, and equipment. Provide all trim, final adjustments and clean-up.
| Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic: install and connect one unit of 9.5 kilowatts (32,300 Btu/h, 37" long) to existing circuit outlet, include one thermostat. | $1,063 | each | 1 | $1,063 |
| Upgrade Moderate: additional to Basic for wider door, install and connect one unit of 9.5 kilowatts (32,300 Btu/h, 61" long) to existing circuit outlet. | $720 | each | 1 | $720 |
| Upgrade Deluxe: additional to Moderate, install new circuit to existing load center spaces using 50 amp 600V THHN cable in surface mounted 1/2" EMT metallic conduit. | $5.72 | per foot | 30 | $172 |
| Material Cost | $1,955 | each | 1 | $1,955 |
| + Labor Cost (Basic) | $38 | per hour | 8 | $304 |
| + Labor Cost (Moderate) | $38 | per hour | 5 | $190 |
| + Labor Cost (Deluxe) | $42 | per hour | 5 | $210 |
| Total Cost | $2,659 | each | 1 | $2,659 |
Typical capacity unit conversions are:
1 Ton = 12,000 BTU/h = 3.5 kW = 4.6 BHP
Other considerations and costs
- The size of the air-curtain depends on the width of the door way being treated.
- Size of heating system depends upon regional climate zone conditions, building zone conditions, windows, insulation, and fan usage.
- Heating system sizing per square foot of well-insulated and sealed building zones follows regional climate zones ranging from coldest (50 BTU/h/sq.ft. = 15 watts/sq.ft.) to moderate (25 BTU/h/sq.ft. = 7 watts/sq.ft.) to the few regions where no heating is necessary.
- Forced-air electric heating will additionally require fan equipment power.
- Not-forced-air electric heating has less heat projection not suitable for larger areas, like baseboard electric and other radiant heaters.
- Labor cost will rise with a “hidden” installation in a finished environment.
- These prices are for service in the immediate area of the provider.
- Taxes and permit fees are not included.
Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.
DIY considerations
- This project is somewhat suitable for DIY with good electrical skills and tools.
- Heavy lifting to above-door height installation is required.
- Electrical circuits and installations must comply with codes to reduce fire-risk.
References
- Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2015.
- Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
- Literature review of DIY Web sites.
Enter your zip code to get estimates
Cost by city
- New York, NY$3,656
- Bronx, NY$3,004
- Brooklyn, NY$2,504
- Philadelphia, PA$3,124
- Washington, DC$2,711
- Atlanta, GA$2,452
- Miami, FL$2,230
- Fort Lauderdale, FL$2,336
- Minneapolis, MN$2,741
- Chicago, IL$3,194
- Houston, TX$3,294
- San Antonio, TX$2,211
- Austin, TX$2,504
- Denver, CO$2,115
- Phoenix, AZ$2,232
- Las Vegas, NV$2,450
- Los Angeles, CA$2,760
- San Diego, CA$2,505
- San Jose, CA$3,025
- Seattle, WA$2,215
Local costs have been calculated by accounting for labor and material cost differences across different cities. To get accurate cost estimates, indicate yours: