If you are looking for an electric baseboard heater then you should also look into the different types of electric heaters. Dig a little deeper into the different aspects by reading buying guides and reviews.
Also, ask yourself, ‘are baseboard heaters more efficient?’ It depends on the room that you want to heat whether this is the best option for an additional source of warmth.
And once you have done all that, here are 10 more facts about baseboard heaters that you didn’t know. They may be small and discreet home appliances but there is a lot to learn about them.
1. They Are Zonal Heaters
Electric baseboard heaters are also known as zonal heaters because they are only able to warm up limited space. This means that they are not capable of spreading warmth throughout the entire house, only its direct vicinity.
This is due to mechanics; there are no fans so the hot air does not circulate beyond its capacity. This is why keeping the doors open in the hope that the heat travels to other rooms or the hallway is pointless.
2. Leave Space for Air Flow
These types of heaters require some empty space around them so that there is better air circulation i.e. better spreading of heat throughout the room. Remember that carpets and curtains also block air flow so make sure that these also start several inches away.
3. The Best Spot Is Under Windows
The best place to install a baseboard heater is under windows. This is because windows are one of the main areas where a house loses heat, especially in older buildings with less insulation.
Hot air rises, so as the hot air from the baseboard heater comes up towards the window, the cold air coming in from the window drops and warms up as it comes closer to the heat source. This reduces the spread of cold air into the rest of the room.
4. Hydronic Heaters Are Safer
This type of heater is safer for households with children and pets because the casing does not become as hot as with a regular convection heater. In fact, certain models are not even hot to the touch.
5. Higher Temperatures Means Higher Costs
Setting your thermostat above 20℃ not only increases the room temperature but also your energy bills. Cut down on your monthly expenses by adjusting the temperature according to your activity.
For example, set the thermostat as low as 16℃ for a comfortable night’s sleep and also keep it lower when you are being active like during chores. Then, when you are simply lounging on the sofa, you can turn it up again to a comfortable warm temperature.
6. Avoid Starting with a Too High Temperature
Sure, your first instinct when you come home to a very cold room is to turn up the thermostat but try to resist this urge. It is a misconception that cranking up the heat makes the room warm up faster.
With a proper good quality baseboard heater there is not much difference in the time that it takes to reach a higher temperature than a lower temperature. The only thing that you actually achieving with this is increasing your electricity bills.
7. Dirt & Dust Reduces Efficiency
Even though there is no fan, dust can still collect. Make sure that you thoroughly clean the baseboard heater every few months because a buildup of dust and dirt, on both the inside and outside, prevents the heat from distributing properly.
8. Using Draft Stoppers Improves Efficiency
This is logical since less cold air entering the house also means less air to heat up. So, placing draft stoppers at your windows helps your heating appliances do their job better.
9. Installing a Wall-Mounted Thermostat Is More Precise
Though the models that come with a thermostat already fitted on them are more practical, they are also less precise. Being so close to the heat source increases the chances that the reading is wrong and so does not show the actual room temperature.
For more accuracy and better control and monitoring of the room temperature, get a wall-mounted thermostat. Many of these wall-mounted models are also programmable so that you can set an energy-efficient timer or program.
10. Place One in Each Room For Better Control
As mentioned, these heating devices can only heat up a limited zone. This means that you will need to install several around the house if you want better heat distribution throughout the different rooms.
The good thing about baseboard heaters is that you can set individual temperatures so that you can keep unused rooms cooler and occupied rooms warmer. This is also a way to get a better grip on your monthly heating costs.
