Baseboard heaters are essential for optimal heat distribution, as they work through convection and can be installed along exterior walls and below windows. There are two types of electric baseboard heaters: convection and hydronic. Convection heaters work through convection, allowing cold air to enter the baseboard unit through a vent. Dannex, a low-temp radiant baseboard, requires baseboards on both exterior and interior walls to provide enough heat in a room.
The placement of baseboard heaters near windows and exterior walls can also work against you, as the thermostat on the unit may sense cold nearby. If the electric baseboard heater is near windows or exterior walls and senses cold air, it will work overtime to keep your home warm by responding to the nearest thermostat.
Baseboards are installed partly for aesthetic reasons, hiding the joint where walls meet the floor. They cannot be hidden behind a sofa, bed, or other obstruction that would prevent them from performing properly. Whenever possible, baseboard heaters should be installed along exterior walls in the home and below windows to provide optimal heat distribution.
Baseboard heaters should be placed on outside walls for maximum comfort, as areas near outside walls would be cold and the inside wall would work on an inside wall. Radiation should be on an outside wall, especially under a window, to heat the infiltrated air.
When upgrading from a baseboard heater, it is okay to install a wall heater on an outside wall, but be aware that hot air will rise straight up to the ceiling and mix and normalize over time. Electric resistance baseboard heaters should typically be placed under windows, as Cadet makes a good example of this.
📹 Electric Baseboard Heaters: Pros and Cons
Electric baseboard heaters: you see them everywhere so they must be great, right? Well, the truth is: not all baseboard heaters are …
What is the downside of baseboard heat?
Baseboard heating systems are more expensive to operate than heat pumps, costing between $500-1, 500 more per year. They are also inefficient due to their placement near windows and exterior walls, with each unit having a thermostat that controls the heat output. If the thermostat senses cold drafts, it works harder to keep the room warm, resulting in high utility bills, especially during the coldest months of winter. Therefore, it is recommended to use more efficient heating systems like ductless mini-split heat pumps.
Can you hide baseboard heater?
Baseboarders are essential for heating systems, but they require about 18 inches of clearance for safe operation. To conceal them, use curtains or drapes during summer months or slide furniture in front of them. When turning the heat back on, ensure proper clearance is restored. To integrate baseboard heat into your design, minimize attention by installing covers that match the wall color and adding items that draw focus away from them. Hang wall art, apply decals, create a gallery wall, or hang decorative pieces to add charm. Potted plants, baskets, or other ornaments can also help draw attention away from the baseboards.
Do baseboard heaters have to be on the floor?
In order to install a baseboard heater, it is recommended that screws be used in lieu of nails, and that the heater be installed in a horizontal position at floor level. In the event of a new installation, it is necessary to route the power from the circuit panel to the wall thermostat and to turn off the relevant breaker. In the event of a new installation, it is necessary to set up a new circuit and route power to the wall thermostat.
Should I leave my baseboard heater on all the time?
Baseboard heating systems are electric heat systems that operate without ductwork and can be expensive to run. They are often more efficient than radiators and can be even more efficient when run constantly. However, they take up valuable real estate along room edges, limiting furniture and decor arrangements. It’s important to decide whether to replace or keep the baseboard heating system running as long as possible.
Is it OK to block baseboard heaters?
The obstruction of a baseboard heater by furniture or a blanket can impede airflow, thereby increasing the risk of flammable materials igniting and reducing the heater’s overall efficacy. To ascertain the height from the floor to the uppermost point of the metal wall plate, one may consult the following guide. Any baseboard with a width exceeding 7 3/8″ (188 mm) is compatible with our standard cover.
Can things touch baseboard heaters?
Place objects close to the baseboard heater to prevent air flow issues and fire hazards. Hang draperies away from the heater to prevent contact. Only have one thermostat control all baseboard heater units in the same room, even if multiple units are in different positions. This prevents unpredictable switching on and off of units.
Setting the thermostat too high to heat the room faster is an illusion and inefficient practice. Baseboard heaters take longer to heat an area, so intentionally setting it to a higher temperature will not heat the room faster than if it is set at a cooler temperature. Using multiple thermostats can lead to unpredictable heating and unpredictability.
Where should baseboard heaters be placed?
If you’re upgrading from a baseboard heater, it’s likely that it was installed on an outside wall under a window. Baseboards work with the natural air flow inside a room to spread heat, as cold air from the window mixes with warm air rising from the baseboard. This warm air moves around the room, cools, and sinks back to the floor, where it’s re-heated by the baseboards. However, wall heaters are installed inside the wall, as they don’t cut into a stud cavity filled with insulation.
They offer more space for furniture placement and are better at quickly heating up a room than baseboard heaters. The fan inside the heater also helps spread warm air, making natural airflow less of a concern. This is a significant upgrade in a compact package.
Can baseboard heaters sit on the floor?
Baseboard heaters should be placed at least 3/4-inch above the floor or carpet to allow cooler air to flow under and through the radiator fins. They should also fit snugly against the wall to prevent dust particles from streaking the wall. If in the path of a swinging door, there should be at least 18 inches of clearance between the opened door and the baseboard unit. Heating is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), which are the heat needed to bring 1 pound of water up 1 degree in temperature at sea level.
Electric baseboard heating is measured in watts, with the amount needed to heat a room being about 5 to 8 watts per square foot of space. Most baseboard units are about 250 watts per linear foot. For a 10×10 foot room, 500 to 800 watts of baseboard heating is required. Understanding the necessary heat for a space is crucial for inspectors, especially when inspecting multi-family buildings.
Does a baseboard heater have to be on an exterior wall?
Fan heaters are best installed on inside walls, while baseboards are best under a window. However, fan heaters can be installed on outside walls and baseboards on inside walls. When installing a heater by a door, ensure it isn’t blocked by the door when open. Avoid having an electrical outlet above or below the heater. Block baseboards and fan heaters with furniture, bedding, or drapes. Allow 91 cm (36 inches) of clearance in front of a fan heater, 6 inches to the sides, and 12 inches above the heater. Allow 30 cm (12 inches) of clearance in front of a baseboard, 6 inches to the sides, and 12 inches above the heater. For more information on installing a wall thermostat, check out the blog.
Do radiators need to be on external walls?
Radiators can be placed on exterior or interior walls to improve efficiency in cold areas. Placement on an interior wall can increase heat output due to insulation. In smaller rooms, radiators may be placed behind or next to a door, as they move heat around the room through convection. However, this depends on the temperature of the area the door connects to, as most lead into a cold hallway. Upgrading your radiators can help maintain efficiency and reduce the need for additional energy. Trads offers a range of beautiful cast iron and steel radiators to enhance your home’s aesthetics.
What are the rules for baseboard heaters?
To mitigate the risk of fire, it is imperative to refrain from placing any objects on or in close proximity to the baseboard heater, including but not limited to curtains, furniture, electrical cords, and flammable materials. Electric baseboard heaters employ the convection method, resulting in a high temperature. Should one require the services of a licensed electrician in Southeastern, Pennsylvania, one may contact KB Electric LLC for installation. The unit reaches elevated temperatures due to its convection method.
📹 How to Upgrade Baseboard Heating | This Old House
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey reveals a quick, easy way to replace a …
This was an exact replacement for the old one that lasted about 10 years. youtube.com/post/Ugkx7yWIKcrbA9KMHkGSfcgxW2lsjHT6B8Sh The top of my mitigation tube by my roofline was just a 90 elbow which allowed too much debris to fall down into the fan, eventually ruining it. Without this issue, I bet it would have kept running another 10 years. When I replaced this fan, I added an extra elbow joint so the top tube now it does a 180, which should solve that problem. The radon guys around here wanted to charge me a $300 diagnostic fee, then parts/labor (probably close to $600 total). I installed this all by myself in about an hour for the cost of the fan; it would probably be even easier/faster with two people. FYI the manufacturer’s warranty greatly differs depending on whether you install it yourself (1 yr warranty) or have a licensed installer do it (10 yrs).
I’d be curious to read that study on air quality. It’s not clear why a simple heating element would produce air quality problems. Could it be because, since baseboard heaters are so inexpensive to install, that they were in houses with poor or inexpensive construction? Or is it because they lack an air handler with filtration system like central air?
We live in central Ontario Canada and the average winter temperature is minus 20 Celcius (-20 C). Our only heat source is electric baseboard, we do try to keep the temp. low enough to need a sweater, mostly for sleeping. We need better windows (next spring due to Covid) and we have added attic insulation and are planning exterior wall insulation with new siding, At 1000 square feet our daily usage is between 50 -60 units depending in the wind and food preparations. Too much KWH goes to heating water that isnt used often enough to warrant the price but turning it on and off isnt the answer either. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
A home we just purchased is a quad level home built in the late 70s. The ONLY heating option this home has is electric baseboard in ALL the rooms including the basement. (out in the middle of the woods) We have not moved in yet so I don’t know the exact cost but I am thinking around $500 a month for electric. THAT IS INSANE to me! Since I spent a crazy amount just to purchase the house I don’t really have the ability to update it right now. If I added a wood stove to the basement or mudroom area of the home be a good idea? I have plenty of acreage and wood to burn. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!
My whole house has electric heat. There are benefits to electric: no ductwork, doesn’t take up a lot of space, cheap to install & repair if necessary, heat every room independently, 100% efficiency, maintenance free, just vacuum them out occasionally to deduct dust burning smell, no worries with gas or oil leaks, no carbon monoxide hazards, don’t have to worry about an HVAC furnace breaking down and costing thousands to fix, don’t have to worry about running out of oil. I like it, I like the simplicity and reliability. Yes they are more expensive but there are new smart thermostats from Mysa. You need Wi-Fi to do it, and you can control all the thermostats through the Mysa app. You can set a schedule for hearing, install geo fencing, and lower temps to 55 for parts of the house you’re not in.
I want to use a 48 inch electric baseboard, which would be mounted at the base of a wall with a large picture window . My wife needs the heat to keep her legs warm while working from her work desk . We have two splits in place, but this does not help her at the front window where she works . Is the 48 in electric heater an option ?
I rent, so I don’t really have a say in my heating solution other than moving out. I have an old, old Coleman natural gas furnace that remarkably still functions very well and has only needed fixing once in the 10 years I have rented. However, I live in a small, drafty, poorly insulated mobile home from the early ’70s (and I think the furnace is original!), so during winter it runs very frequently. I have also lived in old apartments that used steam radiators that came on when the landlord was cold, not necessarily the tenants. And I did live in a studio apartment for a few years with an 8 foot long baseboard heater directly parallel to the external windows and running nearly the whole length of the wall. The old-school dial thermostat was on the opposite side of the studio rather than on the heater, so maybe it helped? I can tell you, that thing was not silent. Expansion of the fins inside caused popping and pinging like crazy when it warmed up and cooled down. Even the steam radiator at the other apartment was quieter.
Thank you very much for the article and comments from the others. As someone from South America living in Canada since 2017, I’m learning a lot about heaters. The other day, I visited a condo apartment with a heat pump and God.. I was shocked about how noisy it was. Back home I was an audiologist and I can’t imagine how someone can live in a place with that noise. Was that pump too old, perhaps? The apartment was no too old.. Thanks again.
It’s interesting, you said they are 100% efficient, I went to Penn State, for electrical construction, and spent 3 years, before that, in electrical construction vo-tech, and I have been doing electrical work for over 30 years. When I was in electrical school, 1 of the instructors said, to create heat from electricity, is the most inefficient way to generate heat. He said for every dollar, you put in, you get 10 cents of heat out. Now, I’m sure the new heaters, are better than that, but the principal is the same. I mean, think of your clothes dryer and how much power they use, even the new models. And they have a sole purpose, of making heat, from electricity, to dry clothes and they have to run for an hour and sometimes that not enough. I don’t recommend electric heaters to anyone, even if they ask, I try to talk them out of it. The only time, they or I think they should be used, is if you have a small space that’s drafty and you want to have direct, instant use in 1 area. And even then, I warn the customer, about the staggering cost of running these heaters, for a length of time, more than maybe, in a bathroom, until your done with a shower, so like less than an hour a day, on a small 2 or 3 foot unit. But great article, thanks.
I have electric baseboard heat in my 960 sq ft house in North New Jersey. The master bedroom where I live are probably original 1964. When you turn them on with the wall thermostat after a while it has a bad smell so I have to turn it off. Thinking about converting to electric hydronic baseboard hopefully I won’t have the smell anymore. I am now using electric space heaters they work but not the best long term.
This is the first time I’ve moved in a house with baseboard heaters and I HATE IT smh they are very costly my electric bill was almost 400 dollars during the span I had the heat running in the winter and on top of that this is a old house that has no insulation whatsoever I rather use a space heater and just bundle up
Resistive heating elements are actually 100% efficient however electrical generation and transmission losses mean electric heating is technically net 40% Effiecient compares to 80-90% for a gas furnace. That’s why electric heating is not widely used. However heat pumps are very effienct and geothermal heat pumps are basically free heat.
This article is not very accurate. Firstly, the biggest PRO for electric baseboards is maintinence costs. Think about the money spent on servicing a gas furnace over the years, and how you many times replace the furnace completely in 20-25 years. I have electric baseboards in my house for 27 years now.. maintinence cost? ZERO DOLLARS. My mother has had electric baseboards in her home for 51 years, again… maintinence cost, ZERO DOLLARS. You also do not have to worry or be concerned with carbon monoxide issues. I don’t even own a carbon monoxide detector, because I don’t need one. ALSO.. you must choose a 220V unit to get proper efficiency. The fact that you can keep spare rooms and unused rooms at 50 degrees also helps keep the costs down. just the CONVENIENCE of never having to have your ducts cleaned, or your furnace serviced and cleaned is worth a lot. They ARE better than fan forced for allergy sufferers.. you just have to keep them cleaned, and the best way to do that is to blow the dust out twice a year with an electric leaf blower, and exhaust fan in the window.
@rise I am in very cold climate(Quebec), however, my primary source is electric bas heating as below-7 C my heatpump doesn’t work. Therefore, 3 months of winter runs on electric baseboard heating, which increases my energy bill to the roof. You haven’t discussed other better options for cold climate.
Our house was moved from a hydroelectric company town, and still has many of its baseboards. We avoid using them. Baseboards are most often 240v with 120v in the minority. They are super simple to install, and the old type line voltage thermostats are cheap. Not long ago, I got a new 6’ baseboard at Habitat for Humanity for $20. They made sense in a place where electricity was “free.” I lose no sleep over using hydroelectricity here, nor do I buy silliness about carbon footprints (CO2 doesn’t cause warming, it’s a result, and if CO2 levels drop we’ll see plant death). But it is costly, and we do have power outages. We prefer to burn wood, pellets, and even a bit of propane.
Does 220v electrical baseboard run cheaper than 120 v? We have 2 bedrooms There is a Riani 25btu heater that heats Open concept kitchen /living room nicely. But not enough to reach the 2 bedroom’s We have 4′ 120v heater in bathroom which heats nicely We are currently using Eden pure electric heat but noisy. Question would 8′ baseboard be enough for 14×10 bedrooms? 120v. Or 220v We enjoyed your article, thank you. The log cabin heat is used about 4-6 months a year … Jerry
Note- The new covers shown here will ruin a lot of the efficiency of your BB heating. BB heating works on a ‘stack effect’, as they explained in the article where cold air is ‘pulled’ into the bottom of the fixture by the negative pressure of the hotter air departing from the top/damper area. Putting this fixture which is full of holes in place of the original ruins that stack effect and lowers the efficiency of that unit. Its actually very easy to make your own covers from wood in many patterns like Shaker-style, which end up being far cheaper and classy looking. Plywood, MDF or 1×6 or 1×8 trim pieces, miter or circ saw and a Brad nailer or finish nails and some nice paint. Wood is fine for BB heating as wood needs ~600f to burn, and BB heat rarely reaches above 140f. Just try to keep the metal back plate in there in some way so it reflects the heat instead of heating the wall/studs.
TOH should get out of the habit of calling this “baseboard heating”; “forced hot water baseboard heat” would be a better term. Too many people talk about hot water and electric baseboards as if they were the same thing, or just speak of “baseboard heat” without even mentioning the technology. The two are so different from a safety or even an economy perspective that any ambiguity leads to false assumptions. People should know that forced hot water is the safest heating available and electric baseboards are usually among the most dangerous.