For standard baseboard wring on the right or left 120V or 240V supply. Connect one supply wire to one heater wire. Connect remaining supply wire to remaining heater wire. Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed. Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.
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. ...
How much does a baseboard heater cost?
Your cost to install an electric baseboard heater will depend on these issues related to the equipment and installation factors. Heater Quality – Very cheap standard heaters start below $50. Midrange heaters cost $100 – $275, and the best units are priced from $300 to $600.
How to maintain your baseboard heater?
Ways to Save Money with Electric Baseboard Heaters
- Maintenance. The maintenance of the baseboard heating is extremely crucial to keep it efficient. ...
- Turn Down the Heat. You do not need to turn up the baseboard heating to keep your home warm. ...
- Thermostat Adjustments. ...
- Room Insulation. ...
- Installation Style. ...
- Thick Carpets and Rugs. ...
- Communicate with Power Companies. ...
- Usage of Appliance. ...
- Use Fan System. ...
How to adjust baseboard heater thermostats?
How do you adjust the temperature on a baseboard heater?
- Locate the end-cap covers on the heater on the end of the heater where the water in-let pipe mounts.
- Locate the water flow control valve under the end-cap.
- Turn the clockwise to increase the flow of water or counterclockwise to decrease the flow of water.
Does a 120V baseboard Heater need a dedicated circuit?
120-volt heaters that plug into an outlet do not require a dedicated circuit if just one or two smaller units are used. They should still be plugged into a 20-amp circuit.
How are electric baseboard heaters wired?
Wiring baseboard heaters is as simple as adding a 20-amp circuit. Simply run a 12-2 non-metallic sheathed cable from the electrical service panel to the location of the baseboard heater. Since baseboard heaters have a built-in junction box, you won't have to cut in a junction box to feed it.
How are baseboard heaters wired with thermostat?
Typically, this is done with a short green or bare copper wire attached to the metal box with a green grounding screw, with the other end of the pigtail joined to the circuit grounding wires with a wire connector. The thermostat itself usually does not have any grounding connection.
How many amps does a 120 volt baseboard heater use?
At 120V, a 3,000 W baseboard heater draws 25 amps.
What size breaker do I need for a baseboard heater?
Sizing the Heating CircuitAMPSVOLTSCIRCUIT PROTECTION1612020 Amp - 1-Pole1224015 Amp - 2-Pole1624020 Amp - 2-Pole2424030 Amp - 2-Pole5 more rows
How many baseboard heaters can be on a 15 amp circuit?
One 240V circuit With one 240V, 15A breaker, you can drive 12A of heater -- giving 2880 watts.
What size breaker do I need for a 1500 watt baseboard heater?
What Size Breaker Do You Need for a 1,500-watt Heater? A 120v 1500w heater needs a 20-amp circuit breaker. According to the National Electric Code (NEC), circuit breakers' ratings should equal 125% of the electrical load of devices they support to cater to at least 80% of the power draw.
How do you wire a single pole thermostat to a baseboard heater?
0:592:09How to install a Single Pole wall mount thermostat to your ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the baseboard wiring junction box connect each supply wire coming from the thermostat to eachMoreIn the baseboard wiring junction box connect each supply wire coming from the thermostat to each loose heater wire replace the junction box. Cover.
Can wires touch baseboard heaters?
Electrical codes typically do not prohibit installing heaters below wall outlets, but most heater manufacturers recommend against it. The concern is that a cord plugged into the outlet will drape down onto the heater.
Can a 240V baseboard heater run on 120V?
The extra heat is the problem, but the breaking down of the heater can compromise the safety of the people living in the house. Installing a 240-volt heater on a 120-volt circuit is not as big a safety risk, but you will notice that your heater will fail to work most times.
What size wire do I need for electric baseboard heaters?
A 240-volt baseboard heater requires its own dedicated 20-amp or 30-amp 240-volt electrical circuit. A 20-amp circuit can safely provide 3,800 watts of power, while a 30-amp circuit is suitable for up to 5,700 watts. The standard circuit cable for 20-amp circuits is 12-gauge cable; 30-amp circuits need 10-gauge cable.
How many heaters can you run on a 20-amp circuit?
So a 240-volt circuit running on a 20-amp, double-pole breaker, can have any combination of heaters up to 3,840 watts. For example, using just one thermostat, you can install: Two 1,500 watt heaters, or. Three 1,000 watt heaters, or.
How do you wire a 240 volt baseboard heater?
For standard baseboard wring on the right or left 120V or 240V supply.Connect one supply wire to one heater wire.Connect remaining supply wire to remaining heater wire.Replace wiring compartment cover and secure with screw previously removed.Turn power back on at the electrical panel board.
How many 240V baseboard heaters can I put on one circuit?
So a 240-volt circuit running on a 20-amp, double-pole breaker, can have any combination of heaters up to 3,840 watts. For example, using just one thermostat, you can install: Two 1,500 watt heaters, or. Three 1,000 watt heaters, or.
How do you run wires through baseboards?
Position raceway along the top of the baseboard. Attach the raceway using adhesive or screws, according to manufacturer's instructions. Open the raceway and feed the cable into it, leaving enough cable at the end for proper connection. Snap the cover back closed.
How many baseboard heaters can I put on a 30 amp circuit?
These three baseboard heaters can be connected to a two-pole 30-amp breaker that is supplying power to the heaters with a two-wire 10-gauge ROMEX® cable-type wire.
How Do You Wire Multiple Baseboard Heaters?
When wiring multiple baseboard heater be careful of circuit loading. Do not exceed 80 percent of the circuits capacity. The wires themselves usually run from heater to heater.
Where is the ground wire on a heater?
Connecting L1 and L2 to the heater is a simple process. Make sure the ground wire is connected to the back of the heater.
How Long Are The Different Size Heaters?
Electric baseboard heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your application.
What About Those Space Saver Heaters?
A few years ago some companies decided to come out with a baseboard style heater to shorten its length.
Does A Baseboard Heater Need To Be A Dedicated Circuit?
Yes, all electric baseboard heater should be on a dedicated circuit. It should be clearly marked at the source or panel as to what its for.
How many volts should a thermostat be on?
You can test from the red to the black wire and you should get 240 volt with the thermostat on. This is done before you shut the power off.
How many amps does a double pole heater need?
Look at the panel look for the circuit marked heater and shut it off. It will most likely be a double pole 20 amp circuit.
What voltage do baseboard heaters use?
Baseboard heaters generally require a dedicated circuit depending on the size and voltage of the selected unit. Baseboard heaters work especially well with a 208/240 volt circuit which provides a balanced load compared to a 120 volt circuit. See the specifications for the brand that you are considering.
How does an electric baseboard heater work?
The electric baseboard heater uses convection to circulate air. When installed correctly and positioning under a window area, the electric#N#baseboard heater case causes air to flow naturally.#N#Cold air falls from the window area as the warm air rises from the heater, causing the air to gently circulate throughout the room.#N#The electric baseboard heater is the number one choice for low cost installation, and the quiet operation makes it the preferred heater for bedrooms. A wall mounted thermostat is recommended for optimum performance.
What voltage do you need for radiant floor heating?
Most radiant floor heating systems can be either 120 volt or 240 volt . When possible I always choose 240 volt because it will be much more efficient to operate and the wiring components are much the same as a 120 volt circuit.
How far away from baseboard heater should flammable materials be kept?
NOTE: Flammable materials must be kept 12 inches away from baseboard heaters. See your installation manual for complete details.
Can radiant heat be used on the same circuit?
The new radiant heating system must be designed separately from the existing baseboard heating system - they cannot be on the same circuit because they have their own individual circuit requirements and thermostat controls for their specific areas.
Can an outlet be installed above a baseboard heater?
Since an electrical outlet may not be installed above a heater (National Electric Code), some brands offer a duplex outlet which can be installed in either end of the baseboard to meet local building codes. To switch between the baseboard heater and a cooling unit, optional controls are available as well. Inside corner connectors are available to fit various designs, such as corner window areas.
Can a baseboard heater rest on carpet?
This example shows how the power is brought to the heater using a surface raceway. Ideally the baseboard heater should not rest on the floor or carpeting such as shown in this photo.
Where to install cable connector for heater?
Install the appropriate cable connector in the desired end of the heater (s).
What wire to connect to a loose heater?
Connect one of the loose heater wires (does not matter which) to the black wire (s).
How many amps does a 240 volt heater carry?
The National Electrical Code allows a 15 amp circuit to carry up to 12 amps, and a 20 amp circuit may carry up to 16 amps.
Where should a thermostat be located?
Determine a location for the thermostat. The thermostat should be located on an interior wall. It should never be located above a heater or other heat source, or in a dead air space such as behind a door.
How many watts does a room need?
A room that ideally requires 1500 watts of heat might need as much as 3000 watts if it suffers from all the issues listed above. This applies to ALL types of heat (and cooling in the summer for that matter), regardless of fuel type or technology. Insulation is inexpensive over the long run. ...
How many watts per foot is HD heat?
There is one other type of heat called "high density" (HD). HD heat has more than the 250 watts per foot that the standard density heat has, but does not heat quicker nor is operated for any less. HD merely provides more heat with a smaller footprint. ...
Where is the heater pipe installed?
The casing is normally mounted along the wall above the floor, and the heater pipe is installed inside a few inches above the floor level. The heat shield (casing) keeps the heat adequately away from the carpeting. (You should read and follow all manufacturer's installation instructions and guidelines though.)
What is the white wire on a baseboard heater?
If you are wiring a 120-volt baseboard heater, however, the white wire in the circuit will be a true neutral wire. This white wire will not be connected to the thermostat, but instead will connect to the white neutral wire passing on to the baseboard heater.
How many wires does a thermostat need to control a baseboard heater?
This usually involves two supply wires from the power source and two wires passing onward to the heater. If the thermostat is controlling two baseboard heaters from the same location, there will be additional outgoing wires leading to the other heater. The Spruce / Kevin Norris.
How to connect thermostat to heater?
Connect the wire lead on the thermostat marked "Load" to the black outdoing wire (s) leading to the heater (s), using a wire connector.
How to connect two wires to a thermostat?
Use wire connectors to join the two feed wires entering the box from the power source to the wire leads on the thermostat marked "Line." In most 240-volt wiring situations, the circuit wires will be black and white; it doesn't make any difference which wire lead gets attached to which feed wire, as both are hot.
How to strip insulation from thermostat?
Using wire strippers, strip about 3/4-inch of insulation from each insulated circuit wire entering the thermostat's electrical box, if necessary. This usually involves two supply wires from the power source and two wires passing onward to the heater. If the thermostat is controlling two baseboard heaters from the same location, there will be additional outgoing wires leading to the other heater.
How many wires does a thermostat have?
The thermostat has a total of four wire leads: two marked "Line" that connect to the circuit feed wires entering the box from the circuit breaker panel, and two marked "Load" that connect to the circuit wires that run onward to the heater. The thermostat's wire leads are often red and black, a color-coding that indicates ...
What is a single pole thermostat?
In single-pole thermostats, only one of the two hot wires entering the thermostat box is attached to the thermostat , and the other wire bypasses the thermostat box and continues to the baseboard heater. This means that the baseboard will always have current flowing into it.
How many volts does a baseboard heater need?
Most baseboard heaters require 240 volts; receptacles are only 120 volts. It would be best if you circuited the baseboard heater directly into your home heating system through its circuit breaker or fuse box. You can use either copper wires or aluminum wires, depending on the type of connection needed.
What is a Baseboard Heater?
A baseboard heater, also known as a convector heater, is a type of heating system that provides radiant heat. It heats the air and objects in its vicinity directly by conduction rather than warming up the air around it like an electric fan or furnace.
How do you Know If Your Wiring is Safe?
It’s easy to detect a potentially hazardous wiring situation by checking for scorch marks or discoloration on baseboards and walls. If you notice any blackened areas around your heater, shut off the power immediately to avoid being burned by exposed wires.
What is ground failure in a baseboard heater?
Grounding Failure. Ground failure is the situation when a hot wire makes contact with either the grounding wire or a grounded portion of the system , such as a metal electrical box. Some baseboard heaters have three-prong cords that fit into grounded outlets. It ensures that they are grounded and limits the risk of electrical shock as well as equipment malfunction. But when you wire a baseboard heater to an electric outlet, there is a reduction in resistance that causes current to flow in an unimpeded fashion. The danger of ground failure increases if you wire the heater to an electric outlet, and it could cause a shock if you are in contact with the path.
Why do baseboard heaters draw more power than outlets?
Electric baseboard heaters draw more power than an electric outlet can supply. Plugging several power-hungry pieces of equipment into different sockets connected to the same electric line can cause an overload. In particular, the baseboard heater will extract more power than the wiring can handle, especially when in use.
What is the difference between 240V and 120V?
With 120-volt circuits, these two connections are interchangeable—the only difference is that a 240-volt course will require a separate double pole breaker installed in your service panel.
How many watts does a 20 amp circuit need?
The U.S.A. If you fix the equipment, it cannot exceed 50% of the circuit capacity for a shared circuit. (EX: 1200 Watts for a 20 amp circuit, 900 Watts for a 15 amp circuit). Furthermore, the baseboard shall have an easily recognizable switch on the life wire (black).
How to calculate the amperage of a baseboard heater?
Multiply the 1,500 watts times 3 for a total of 4,500 watts. Find the total amperage by dividing the wattage by the voltage (a = w/v). The amperage draw for the three heaters is 18.75 amperes. These three baseboard heaters can be connected to a two-pole 30-amp breaker that is supplying power to the heaters with a two-wire 10-gauge ROMEX® cable-type wire.
How many gauges of romex wires are in a baseboard heater?
Connect the wires in the same fashion to the second baseboard heater. There will only be one 10-gauge ROMEX® in the third baseboard heater. Connect these wires directly, one each, to the two wires going to the heating element. Be sure all three heaters have the bare copper wire attached to the green screw on the metal frame of the heater.
How to remove the cover of a circuit breaker box?
Find the large switch labeled as "main". Turn it off. Remove the outer cover by using the screwdriver and pulling the screws that holds the cover in place.
Where are baseboard heaters used?
Image Credit: Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images. Baseboard heaters are generally used in rooms that may be far from the central heating source. These electric heaters are positioned under windows, where falling colder air will mix with the heaters' rising warmer air and circulate throughout the room.
Do baseboard heaters have thermostats?
Various manufacturers will have different installation instructions for these devices. Many baseboard heaters will have the thermostats built into the heaters and already connected.
Do you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions for a baseboard heater?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions if you are installing separate baseboard heater thermostats. Various manufacturers will have different installation instructions for these devices. Many baseboard heaters will have the thermostats built into the heaters and already connected. Follow all local electrical regulations whenever installing any type of electrical equipment.
What Kind Of Wire Do I Need For A Baseboard Heater?
If you are installing a baseboard heater in a drywall wood frame constructed area. You can simply run the NMD non-metallic type dry wire.
When to wire baseboard heaters in parallel?
Wiring baseboard heaters in parallel is when you will get into the importance of amps and not exceeding them. It is important not to go over the 80 percent circuit rating.
What Size Breaker Does The Wire Need To Be On?
Typically you will need to have the wire connected to a 20 amp breaker.
What Happens If The Wire Is Too Small For The Heater?
If the wire is too small for the heater then it will simply blow the fuse or trip the breaker.
How many watts can a 30 amp wire hold?
The rule applies to all types of wire sizes. For example a 30 amp circuit would be 24 amps. 24 amps multiplied by 240 volt is a maximum of 6000 watts loaded on the circuit.
How many watts is 24 A?
24 A on a 30 amp circuit safe to convert that to watch you would simply take your voltage time your amperage which equals watts. You can see 3840 Watts on a 20 amp circuit. This can be a number of heaters that you hook into the circuit to equal to 3840 watt.
How many watts can you use on a 20 amp circuit?
You can only load the circuit up to 16 amps which is actually 3840 watts of electricity.