When finding electric baseboard heaters that are most suitable for your home you need to look into the differences between electric heaters. How do they use electricity and does it make your home’s heating system more efficient?
Even if there is a lot of stuff you may not know about electric baseboard heaters, one thing you should know is that they are an affordable alternative method for keeping your home comfortably warm.
Are New Baseboard Heaters Really More Efficient?
Electric baseboard heaters are efficient heat distributors which also makes them more cost-efficient. But are new baseboard heaters really more efficient than the older models?
Read on to learn why baseboard heaters are friendly on your wallet and why they also make your home much more comfortable in the winter.
Why It Functions Efficiently
To understand why baseboard heaters are an efficient source of heat, you need to understand how they work. The technology behind it is quite simple but the benefits are manifold.
There are different types of electric heaters but they all include a heating element through which an electric current runs. The energy from that electrical current is then converted to heat energy.
In the basic convection model, there are several heating elements which dissipate warm air to its surrounding area. With the hydronic model, the heating element heats up a liquid, usually water, which steams up to let warm air travel through the room.
Both types are efficient in transforming electrical energy into heat. However, the hydronic type is even better at reducing heat loss because the liquid can hold heat longer.
In short, there is no loss of energy during the electric to heat energy conversion which means that you are not wasting any electricity. Not wasting electricity means that what you are paying for the electricity is also exactly what you get in heat.
Installation and Monthly Running Costs
The 100% energy conversion is the first way in which these heating appliances are efficient. The next question is whether the costs associated with electric baseboard heaters also translate to lower overall costs.
Buying a new unit is quite affordable with many models costing less than $150. The basic convection type is the less expensive option with most models costing less than $70.
The highest price tag is attached to the installation of the units. Having a professional come in to do it for you can ring you up several hundred dollars, depending on how difficult it is and how many you want to be installed.
Then, there are the actual running costs. The running costs depend on what you are paying for electricity, how many you are running and what temperature you set them to.
To get a good estimate, calculate the kilowatt hours of your baseboard heaters and multiply this by the rate that your electricity provider gives you. Below is an example of the calculations:
Step 1: Baseboard heater wattage ÷ 1000 = kilowatts
Step 2: kilowatts x number of running hours per day = kilowatt hours (kWh)
Step 3: kilowatt-hours x electricity rate = daily running cost
Step 4: daily running cost x 30 = monthly running cost
How to Further Lower Costs
In theory, electric baseboard heaters run efficiently and cost less than a regular furnace but there several ways that it can run less than optimal. Fortunately, there are also enough tricks to help you keep control over the energy bills.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts for keeping your electrical baseboard running at its best.
1. Don’t Block the Airflow
Keep all furniture and objects about 6 – 12 inches away from the baseboard heater. Also, let the drapes end several inches above the heating device and let the carpet start at least 3 inches away from it if it is thick.
2. Don’t Skip Cleaning and Maintenance
These are low-maintenance home appliances but occasional cleaning is necessary to make sure that the heat spreads evenly. Prevent the buildup of dust and dirt so that your unit keeps running smoothly.
3. Do Keep All Doors and Windows Closed
Since they are zoning heaters, opening doors and windows make them less impactful. Keep all the warmth inside the room by keeping the doors and windows closed.
4. Do Set Different Temperatures at Different Times
Lower the thermostat when you are being active inside the house or when you are not using the room. Temperatures above 20℃ have a higher running cost so limiting the time above this temperature also reduces your running costs.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to using electric baseboard heaters in your house. There is 100% energy conversion, is easy to install and has low maintenance.
More importantly, the running costs are relatively cheaper than other heating methods and you have control over it, too. However, there are more alternative heating methods so do some research beforehand.
