Can you replace baseboard heaters?

Yes, baseboard heaters can be replaced.

Are new electric baseboards more efficient?

Not all electric baseboard heaters are created equal. The more modern units that use convection provide better efficiency than older models you may find in mid-century homes. Convection baseboard heaters are also very quiet, compared to other fan-powered models that are frequently used for larger spaces like garages. Generally speaking, electric baseboards are not an incredibly efficient source of heat. They are ideal for independent spaces that aren't tied into the home's central heating. That said, some of the most energy-efficient and airtight homes out there end up using electric baseboards because of the minimal heating load required for the home. Also, this heating system does not have to pierce through the exterior shell of the house to be installed - keeping the home as airtight as possible.

Are electric baseboards safe?

Electric baseboard heaters typically stay cool to the touch and are generally considered safe for children and pets. That said, some convection heaters have an upward opening. This gives the heating elements greater exposure, which is important to consider if you have small kids leaving items behind on top of the electric baseboard. Some convection units also require spacers to be installed between the back of the electric baseboard and the wall to avoid heat streaks or other paint discolorations on the wall above.

What are the advantages of electric baseboard heaters?

Certain areas are notoriously difficult to keep warm, like your interior garage or basement. Baseboard heaters are great for these areas because the convection heat spreads throughout these areas efficiently. Baseboard heating allows you to supply heat directly where you need it. It doesn't require ductwork and runs quietly. With no moving parts, they hardly ever break down. Simply removing dust and lint keeps most systems working without interruption.

What are the disadvantages of electric baseboard heaters?

Baseboard heating can be expensive to operate. This is why they're often a supplemental heating source. Baseboard heating systems with built-in thermostats can have difficulty maintaining a set temperature and produce inconsistent heat. They also require regular safety vigilance. You have to keep a 6-inch "clear zone" in front of a unit, and the vents need to remain unobstructed by window treatments, furniture, and other objects.

How to tell the wattage of electric baseboard heaters?

If the electrical label on the heater is unreadable, inaccessible, or missing, you can estimate it by measuring the heater's length in feet. On average, baseboard heaters need 225 watts per foot. Multiply the heater's length by 225 to estimate wattage.

How do baseboard heaters save energy?

If wall-mounted, you can install programmable thermostats that can boost heat during times of the day that you're using the rooms they're in.

Can electric baseboard heaters catch on fire?

Electric baseboards can be a fire hazard. It's essential to ensure that you're not blocking airflow to your baseboard heaters or any furniture which could catch fire.

How long do electric baseboard heaters last?

They have an average life expectancy of about 20 years. With proper maintenance, they can last a lot longer.

Do electric baseboard heaters turn off automatically?

Yes. As the air in a room cools, it sinks and goes into the baseboard heater to be warmed again. This cycle continues until the room is at the set temperature, and the baseboard heater will then shut off automatically.

Can you put furniture in front of baseboard heaters?

You can place furniture in front of a heater, but it needs to be at least a foot away. Placing it closer creates a potential fire hazard, and can significantly reduce the heater's performance by restricting airflow.

In-Depth Product Guide

Electric Baseboards

FAQs

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Electric baseboard heaters are simple electric resistance heaters that are installed along the baseboard area of the wall to heat a given space. Electric baseboards are not to be confused with hydronic baseboards, which use circulated water or glycol that is heated and distributed in plumbing pipes.

This type of heating system is generally used as a supplemental heat source or to heat an isolated space where temporary heat could add comfort. Electric baseboard heaters are typically installed on the coldest wall of a given room (often placed on the interior side of an exterior wall - below a window is common). Electric baseboards require a hard-wired connection and are most often paired with a control either on the wall via a thermostat or on the unit itself. Specific electric baseboards models can be controlled wirelessly, offering greater flexibility for control options without having to wire in a thermostat.

Sizing your electric baseboards is perhaps the most important consideration before buying. Multiplying the space's square footage by 10 gives you the total wattage you'll need to heat the area. As an example, a space that is 10ft long by 10ft wide (100 square feet total) - would require an electric baseboard heater with an output of 1,000 watts.

If you are adding electric baseboards where there wasn't electric heat before, check whether your wiring and electrical will need to be upgraded. It is possible that the current wiring and electric can't carry the required electricity.

Electric baseboards don't have particularly sustainable features, but one advantage is they are relatively easy to wire to separate thermostats for each room. This makes it possible to keep unused rooms at a lower temperature than other rooms, saving energy in those rooms. Electric resistance heaters also make an affordable backup to more efficient systems, such as heat pumps, that may need occasional backup.

Electrical resistance heaters were developed in the late 1800s, and at the time, some of them used light bulbs as a heating element. This shows what the original incandescent light bulbs mostly produced - heat!