What are the pros of using a baseboard heater?
Cut back on winter heating costs by using your system efficiently
- Baseboard heaters are often located under windows because it's more efficient that way. ...
- Heat rises – and so do your energy costs, for every degree above 20°C. ...
- Cranking the thermostat doesn't warm up the room any faster. ...
- Now that they're more widely available, you can get a smart thermostat that works with baseboard heaters. ...
Are baseboard heaters an efficient form of heating?
Hydronic baseboard heating systems are more efficient than other forms of electric resistance heating, such as traditional baseboard convection heaters. As the element heats up, the water becomes steam. As cool air is drawn into the heating unit, the steam heats it uniformly and projects it into the room.
Do baseboard heaters offer enough heating capacity?
To properly heat a room, an electric baseboard heating system must supply enough power. Most rooms require 10 watts per square foot, so a 1,000-watt heater can heat a 100-square-foot room but won't provide enough heat for a room with an area of 150 square feet. You may need a more powerful heater.
What is the best heater for a basement?
There are three common types:
- Fan-forced space heaters – the way they work is pushing heat into a room using a fan
- Radiant space heaters – which use gas or propane to warm people or objects in a room
- Convection space heaters – which heat up the air inside a room instead of warming people or objects. It’s best for an insulated room.
Are baseboard heaters safe to leave on?
Yes, while baseboard heaters are considered very safe, and the risk of fire is pretty low if misused, there is a risk of fire. Here are some safety and maintenance tips for preventing fire and to maximize the heating capabilities in a room. Don't Block the Airflow.
Are portable heaters a fire hazard?
Portable electric heaters are high-wattage appliances that have the potential to ignite nearby combustible materials like curtains, beds, sofas, paper, clothing, and flammable liquids. If ignition results from a heater left on and unattended, a major fire could result.
Are portable room heaters safe?
Space heaters generally rely on electricity, propane, natural gas, or kerosene to operate. However, the U.S. Department of Energy warns that unvented portable combustion units should never be used inside a home, as burning fuel can deplete oxygen and pollute indoor air with toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide.
Are baseboard heaters safer than space heaters?
Baseboard Heaters They are more expensive than space heaters, but they are safer to use because there is less potential of fire. Space heaters are more likely to cause a fire, so they must be used with caution. Baseboard heaters have protective covers that prevent potential burns.
What is the safest heater to leave on overnight?
Top 6 Safest Electric heater to leave unattended1) AirNmore Comfort Deluxe with Copper PTC, Infrared Space Heater.2) Dr. ... 3) Asterion indoor electric space heater with adjustable thermostat.4) Comfort Zone Oscillating Space Heater.5) Vornado MVH Vortex Heater with 3 Heat Settings.
What is the safest space heater to leave unattended?
Infrared Heaters They are one of the cheapest types you can buy and are safe to use. Infrared heaters are safe to leave unattended since they heat the air instead of directly heating the object.
What is the safest heater for a bedroom?
Top 5 Safest Small Space Heaters1) Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt.2) Lasko Electric Tower Heater.3) Pelonis Oil Filled Radiator Heater.4) Aikoper Portable Electric Oscillating Heater with Adjustable Thermostat.5) Pelonis PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower 1500W Indoor Space Heater with Oscillation.
Is it OK to leave a space heater on all night?
A modern space heater can be very safe to keep on for long unsupervised periods of time, including while sleeping. Be sure your heater is certified by one of the three major testing organizations and has features like automatic shutoff, tip over protection, a shut off timer, and adjustable thermostat.
Can portable heaters cause carbon monoxide?
Electrical space heaters pose no danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, unlike those that burn fuels, such as kerosene.
Why are baseboard heaters placed under Windows?
Placing a baseboard heater right under the window can reduce drafts. The warm air from the heater will rise and heat the cold air flowing down from the window. No more cold draft across the floor. Another good thing happens with the heat source below the window.
What is better than baseboard heaters?
Ductless heat pumps/mini split systems are one of the top alternatives to baseboard heaters if you're looking for the energy efficiency of electric heat but want to avoid the drawbacks listed above. A ductless mini split provides all the benefits of zoned climate control, and doesn't require ductwork.
Do baseboard heaters use a lot of electricity?
Is baseboard heating expensive? In general, electric baseboard heaters use more electricity than an electric heat pump. This means higher electric bills, especially in the coldest winter months when they're working overtime to keep your home warm.
Can a small heater cause a fire?
A Leading Cause of Fires The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that approximately 1,200 fires a year are caused by portable electric space heaters.
Is it OK to leave space heater on all night?
Never leave your space heater alone in the room The best way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended—that way, if anything does go wrong, you can take action quickly.
Is it safe to leave an electric heater on all night?
A modern space heater can be very safe to keep on for long unsupervised periods of time, including while sleeping. Be sure your heater is certified by one of the three major testing organizations and has features like automatic shutoff, tip over protection, a shut off timer, and adjustable thermostat.
How long can space heaters be left on?
Quick answer: All quality space heaters theoretically are safe to run 24h a day. As long as you are in the same room, you can leave a space heater on. Modern space heaters have built-in safety features such as a temperature controlling thermostat, tip-over protection, and overheat protection, which reduce risk of fire.
Can a child touch a baseboard heater?
If you have young children in your home, you must monitor baseboard heaters and encourage children to play and stay away from the heating units. Baseboard heaters can be very hot to the touch and there is a risk of suffering from burns if touching an operating unit.
Do baseboard heaters need a thermostat?
Using a single thermostat to control your baseboard heaters will prevent your units from overheating.
Do baseboard heaters come with protection switches?
If you are considering installing a new baseboard heater in your home, you will be happy to know that most current models come with a protection switch. These switches are thermal cutouts that will turn off the unit if it starts to reach a dangerous heat. These auto safety features will allow the heater to reactivate when the temperature returns to normal. These added features provide another level of assurance when considering the safety of baseboard heaters.
Is baseboard heating safe?
Although not as commonly used, baseboard heating is ultimately a safe option when considering a heating source for your home. Paying careful attention to things like fire hazards, effective installation, and thermostat control ensures the safest operation of these units.
How far away should baseboard heaters be from floor?
In addition, ensure the heaters are at least 2 centimeters from the floor, according to the website Heat USA. When arranging furniture in a room with baseboard heating, allow plenty of space between the heaters and furniture to avoid the risk of fire and ensure your baseboard heaters heat your home effectively.
What causes a baseboard heater to burn?
Dust, loose hair and other objects may cause fire. Always check for items that may be stuck inside baseboard heating units, including small pieces of paper or fabric. Always call a professional electrician when you encounter problems.
What is baseboard cover?
Baseboard Covers. Baseboard covers are designed to fit over your existing baseboard heaters. While the exterior of the cover still becomes hot when the heat is turned on, the cover prevents items and small fingers from touching the hottest parts of the heater. Any burns that do occur will be less severe.
Is baseboard heating dangerous?
Like any heat source baseboard heaters present a fire risk, especially when flammable objects are close by. Prevent this fire risk by ensuring your children do not leave toys laying on baseboard heating.
Can a child touch a baseboard heater?
Children. Baseboard heaters are very hot to the touch, and young children who touch baseboard heaters when they are turned on may suffer burns. Children who are just learning to crawl and stand are most at risk, as they may use the baseboard heater to pull themselves up.
Can toys on baseboard heaters cause fires?
Toys left on baseboard heaters can cause fires.
Can you put electrical cords on baseboard heaters?
Never lay an electrical cord on a baseboard heater, and take care that curtains, rugs and other fabric objects do not get close to baseboard heat. In addition, hang cords from window blinds so they do not fall into baseboard heaters. To prevent the risk of fire, clean your baseboard heaters regularly.
What can I do to make my electrical baseboard heaters safer around Children?
Our number one suggestion to make electric baseboard heaters safe is to replace them completely with a different method of heating. It's a radical and likely very costly suggestion, but there's no doubt that the folks who invented this heating method didn't consider child safety. Of course if this is not feasible, the next best thing you can do is to install one of our baseboard covers. The one-piece design will keep the large open gap at the top of the heater fully enclosed and inaccessible to small fingers and toys while still ensuring proper airflow.
What is baseboard heating?
Convection air current heating (such as baseboard heating) requires something to get hot and hold heat energy that the air currents can access. Although the heating element is obviously going to be hot, covers (typically made of steel or aluminum) will also hold heat energy and play a significant role in the baseboard heating process. Each of our baseboard covers is made of relatively thick gauge galvanized steel or aluminum-both of which are excellent thermal conductors and as such they will get just as hot as the original covers, and should not be considered a cool to the touch solution, nor does one exist on the market.
Is it safe to cover a baseboard heater?
Indeed this is a potential safety hazard. The area where the floor and wall meet is where the slow moving cool air currents hang out. These air currents will eventually come into contact with the heating element and be propelled upward as heated air. Covering the lower portion of a baseboard heater is strictly prohibited, unless you would like your heaters to stop working. Air flow is the critical process that allows this type of heating to work. Blocking the lower (air in) or upper portion (air out) of the baseboard heater will effectively turn it off.
Do baseboard heaters have a wide open cover?
When it comes to safety, not all baseboard heaters are created equally: Hot water hydronic baseboard heaters operate at relatively lower temperatures and don't exhibit the wide-open cover design that electrical heaters do.
Which is safer, a baseboard heater or an electric space heater?
Which do you think is safer – an electric baseboard heater or an electric space heater? Too often we hear of fires started by a space heater and we see frequent warnings every year about the potential danger of using them. Baseboard heaters are generally safe and have low fire danger. If you routinely use a portable space heater to heat an area, you should consider whether changing to a wall-mounted baseboard heater might provide increased safety and ease of use for your situation.
How many watts does a baseboard heater use?
Most electric baseboard heaters range from 500 watts to 2000 watts in power and run on either 120 or 240-volt circuits. Some of them simply plug into an existing outlet while others require hard-wiring into a circuit. No ducting is required so they are often a good solution for an older home where adding ducting would be problematic.
Is baseboard heat safe?
Baseboard heat can be an effective and affordable solution and can reduce the risk of fire or injury from using portable space heaters. If you would like more information about this or any other electrical topic, please contact us.
Why is it dangerous to put a baseboard heater in the air?
Placing objects too close to the baseboard heater isn't just a problem for air flow, but it's a potential fire hazard if those objects or furniture pieces are potentially flammable under enough heat .
How tall is a baseboard heater?
Typically, the heaters are about 8-10 inches tall and about 2-8 feet in length, depending on the size of the room. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day.
How to prevent fire hazard in home?
1. Don’t Block the Flow of Air. A baseboard heats as cold air is drawn into the heater and electrically heated coils warm the air.
Why does my baseboard heater smell?
Baseboard heaters will often have a “burned dust” odor when they are first turned on after infrequent use. Vacuuming helps eliminate this odor problem. If you know that your baseboard heater will only be used sparingly, consider investing in a cover for it as another means of keeping dust and debris out.
How far should furniture be from a heater?
In fact, you should place furniture at least 6 inches away from the heater to avoid obstructing its air intake. 2. Fire Prevention.
Can baseboard heaters cause burns?
If you have children, baseboard heaters can pose a danger to them. It is important that you keep children away from these heaters, as directly touching some of the baseboard heater elements could cause serious burns.
Can you heat a room faster with a baseboard heater?
The truth is, setting your heater at a higher temperature will not heat the room faster than if it is set at a cooler temperature. It's just an illusion and an inefficient practice. 5. Exercise Caution Around Children. If you have children, baseboard heaters can pose a danger to them.
How Much Do Baseboard Heaters Cost?
An electric baseboard heater is relatively inexpensive. You can find them for $100 to $250 apiece depending on the options and quality. They’re the cheapest to buy, but they are also the most expensive to operate. Hydronic heaters can cost 2-4 times as much.
How much energy savings can you get from baseboard heaters?
This can produce energy savings up to 20% versus heating your entire home. You can also save money by running your baseboard heaters constantly. Baseboard heaters tend to be more expensive to power if you regularly turn them on and off or if you tend to change the temperate a lot.
What is a programmable thermostat?
A programmable thermostat for your baseboard electric heater lets you set it and forget it. This provides consistent temperatures with the ability to kick it up or down a few degrees as needed. Many baseboard heaters are also compatible with today’s popular smart thermostats. Insulate Your Home.
How does a hydronic heater work?
Hydronic heaters use liquid to provide the heat. They can be connected throughout a home to a central boiler. The heating element in the boiler warms the water (or oil) in a sealed system. The warm water is sent through tubing to provide baseboard heating in individual rooms.
What is baseboard heating called?
You might hear electrical heating baseboards called convection baseboard heat system. This is the most common type of base board heater and is designed to control the temperature within rooms.
Why are baseboard heaters so quiet?
Baseboard heaters are quiet, safe, and energy-efficient. Because of their small size, they take up very little space. They’re typically mounted underneath windows to counteract the cool air that falls from windows and are fairly inconspicuous.
Can baseboard heaters be used as a supplemental heat source?
That’s why many people use baseboard heaters as a supplemental heat source. Some of this cost can be offset by using zone heating strategies. Baseboard heaters can supply heat to individual rooms so they work well for zone heating. By heating only the occupied rooms, you can leave guest rooms or unused bedrooms cooler.
What is baseboard heater?
Baseboard heaters are a typical solution for warming up drafty rooms or removing the chill from any living area in your house . While not often used as a primary heat source, electric baseboard heaters are a great option for supplemental heat. Available in varying lengths to fit different room sizes and with 1,000 to 2,000 watts of power, ...
How many BTUs does a 120 volt baseboard heater have?
With a length of 48 inches and 3,413 BTUs, this baseboard heater will do a good job of warming up smaller rooms.
What is the difference between a hydronic and a convection heater?
Although they look pretty much the same from the outside, there are some fundamental differences between the two. The convection process draws cool air into the bottom of the heater. The hater warms up that air and then releases it into a room. Hydronic heaters, on the other hand, contain water or oil within the unit itself. The heating warms that liquid and in turn, heats the air.
What is a convection baseboard heater?
Typical convection baseboard heaters draw cool air over a heating element and release warm air in exchange. Hydronic baseboard heaters are slower to warm up but use a sealed heating element inside of oil to release heat into the room. The advantage of this type of baseboard heater is very quiet, even heat, but they typically cost more ...
How many watts does a Stelpro Bella baseboard heater have?
Like other electric baseboard options, it must be hardwired to a 240-volt electrical supply. It has 600 watts of power and a heat output of 2,048 BTU. It’s best suited for smaller spaces, or use a pair of these high-end baseboard heaters for a modern-looking heating solution.
How many watts does a 240 volt heater produce?
Note that this is a multi-watt unit: If it’s installed at 240 volts, you choose between 2,500 or 2,000 watts, and when installed at 208 volts, it can produce 1,875 or 1,500 watts. Because this heater can operate at a lower or higher wattage, it’s suitable for a variety of room sizes.
How many square feet does an electric heater cover?
This electric heater is best suited for smaller spaces up to 150 square feet; if you want to heat a larger space, you can install two (or more!) units to increase the impact.
Top picks
The Fahrenheat FBE15002 Portable Electric Baseboard Heater is the perfect way to add supplemental heat to any room in your home.
Conclusion
So, what is the best baseboard heater for your home? That answer may depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your room, the type of insulation you have, and how much money you want to spend.
