In the early days, they used a hearth and fireplace to warm their homes during the cold weather. These heating methods were convenient back then, but as time passed, they evolved into furnaces and heat pumps. Having them in your house is essential and convenient but also costly.
What is an electric baseboard heater? It is an inexpensive heat source that runs entirely on electricity. They work from 120v to 240v, and their number capacities depend on the length of the unit.
This review will discuss the best electric baseboard heaters in the market that will cater to your needs.
Top 3 Best Electric Baseboard Heaters
Below are the top 3 best energy-efficient electric baseboard heaters. This could help you decide which of the top 3 units works best for you.
Number #1: Cadet Manufacturing 09956 Baseboard Heater
This baseboard heater is made of metal and is powder-coated. It is 240v with 1500w. The unit requires a thermostat as it doesn’t have one, and it has to be hardwired and not plugged in.
It also fits perfectly in a medium-sized living room. Also, it only weighs 13.3 lbs, and thus it is lightweight and easy to install with its panels on each end, which are well-held with screws.
Moreover, this is a good heating system as it doesn’t produce noise, but is functional and powerful enough to warm up the room in no time, even at a much lower setting.
Number #2: DIMPLEX North America PC6025W31 Wireless Heater
It is a heater wherein the temperature can be adjusted through a wireless control or through a built-in thermostat, which is compatible with a wide range of wiring voltages.
The diverse compatibility of its wiring can be used with a traditional 120 and 240 volts or can also work with 208 or 347 volts if you plan on hardwiring heaters to different thermostat controls.
This unit weighs 12 lbs. It can be shorter than a usual baseboard heater with its versatile design of epoxy or polyester formulated coat, which makes the coat environment-friendly and durable to fade.
Number#3: KING 4K1210BW K Series Baseboard Heater
The unit is made of solid steel construction and weighs 10.4 lbs. And unlike other baseboard heaters, it operates silently and has a sleek design with round edges, which makes it perfect for bedrooms and living room areas.
It’s crush-proof designed aluminum ribbon finning that is welded to the heating component provides an advanced chimney-type heat transfer as it uses convection heat. Just like some baseboard heaters, it does not include a thermostat. Although it is sold separately and can be hardwired using any of the ends for its installation.
This unit uses 120v wiring and provides 1000w of heat, which can accommodate 75 sq ft of space. Even with the given specifics, it still offers a quiet operation that included the best electric baseboard heaters.
Buying Guideline For Electric Baseboard Heater
What Is Electric Baseboard Heating?
It is an inexpensive piece of equipment that is mounted to the wall and provides heat in homes that run entirely on electricity. The equipment requires little space and is designed to be quiet, discreet, and unnoticeable.
Most of the unit ranges from 500 watts to 2000 watts in power, depending on the length of the baseboard that you plan to buy. The longer the unit, the wider the capacity of the heating system.
There are also special types of baseboard heaters that are available in commercial industries and are preferably used because of the low-cost offer. Some of these are restaurants, stadiums, and hotel lobbies.
How Do Electric Baseboard Heaters Work?
Electric baseboard heaters are attached below windows to counteract the dense cool air emanating from the window’s glass, and these heaters are controlled by thermostats.
There are various units that warm up an area where heat is measured on a per-room basis. These baseboard heaters have functions that are better than other space heating systems because they efficiently use the fundamentals of radiation and airflows.
The heater uses heating essentials boxed in metal cases and is enclosed by aluminium fins to help the transfer of heat.
It operates a procedure known as convection. As we all know, cool air is denser than humid, warm air. So, the cold air is drawn to the bottom of the heater, and the air inside the heater is converted into warm air that ascends to the room. Some of the heat fans are out of the element and housing of the heater.
Electric Baseboard Heater Safety Tips
Unlike other heating system, the electric baseboard heater has a low risk of fire danger. However, if used improperly, there could be a risk of fire. Below are some tips and maintenance on how to avoid fire hazards.
- Hire a Licensed Electrician
If the unit is not properly installed with the correct wiring and voltage, you are placing your family’s safety at risk for electrical fire hazards. An authorized electrician could eliminate that kind of danger, as they know electrical safety measures like not installing the heater below electrical outlets, among other things.
- 1-Inch Rule
Cold air is drawn into the baseboard to the electrically heated coils. These coils warm the air. When the air is already warm, it ascends to the upper area of the unit, where it absorbs cooler air from the room to be converted, and the cycle repeats.
Avoid placing furniture near the baseboard heater. It is not just an airflow issue, but it could be a potential fire hazard, especially if it is a flammable object. To prevent the cause of the fire, apply a 1-inch rule or a few inches away from the baseboard heater to avoid fire accidents.
- Practice Caution around Kids
Baseboard heaters can display a danger to children. It is important to keep these things away from them, as direct contact with some of the elements of the unit could cause serious burns.
Things You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Baseboard Heater
What are the things that you must consider before buying an electric baseboard heater? As we all know, baseboard heaters give additional warmth to homes and come in various lengths to accommodate our needs. Below are the lists of things we need to account for to buy the right heater that suits our needs.
- 120v vs. 240v
We both know that baseboard heaters come in two types of volts. It can be 120 and 240. But what is the difference between the two?
The 120v is more used by most households because it is only a single circuit, while the 240v is a lot more efficient because it is a double circuit, which cuts the demand for power in two.
- Circuit
Heaters need an allocated circuit, specifically for the unit, to supply enough power so it can work accordingly. One of the general rules for heaters is that it requires a 20-amp circuit that needs a 12-gauge wire for any type of heater. It means adding a current circuit that already has its circuit load is unacceptable.
- Area of Installation
We all know that baseboard heaters can be installed below the windows. The reason for this is that the cool air coming from the window is warmed already before it touches the ground. Based on the Ideal Gas Law, warm air is lighter than cool air because the molecules of cool air are packed together, unlike warm air.
In connection with an electric baseboard heater, cool air is being drawn to the unit where heated coils will warm the air. Once the cool air is converted to warm air, it rises from the unit and will draw in more cool air.
Also, keep in mind that if you plan on placing it close to the window. You have to remember to keep away anything that could block the airflow and check if there is flammable furniture that could cause fire hazards.
- BTU Knowledge
The function of the heater depends on the length of the unit. A longer length of the unit has a greater capacity for heating bigger rooms. The size of the electric heater matter, as an undersized unit could leave the room a bit chilly, while a unit too big could eat space and waste energy. It could also leave you uncomfortably hot.
To effectively know the right heating unit for your house, you need to learn how to find out or compute the needed BTU. BTU, or the British Thermal Unit, refers to the heat that a piece of specific equipment is emitting. The higher the BTU, the bigger its coverage for heating rooms.
If you want to find the required watts, you need to warm your room follow the steps. To find square footage of the room, multiply the length to the width. And when you have the square feet of your room, multiply it by 10 watts. 10 watts is required to heat 1 sq ft space.
Most of the units are determined by the amount of BTU. To measure the BTU, multiply the number of watts by 3.41.
How to Utilize Baseboard Heaters?
- It can be installed right through the wall or right above the carpet floor if it is a trim carpet.
- At the back of the heater, there are knockouts where the screws could go right through it and secure it to the wall.
- It comes in several capacities and lengths. The longer the unit, the greater the capacity.
- You have to find out the appropriate BTU for your particular home so that you can put the appropriate amount of baseboard heater you need for your home. Sometimes, it can be one or several baseboard heaters all over the house.
- Temperature is regulated by a thermostat, which will be installed on both ends. It can also be purchased separately.
- The heating operates by convection where the heating element is stainless steel at the inside will get hot, and the warm air will gently and comfortably drift into the room.
- There is a safety element that runs the length of the unit, which will shut it off in the event of the temperature becoming excessive.
- If you plan on installing the electrical wire or the thermostat, you could use either end for both.
How to Choose the Right Electrical Baseboard Room Heater?
There are various reasons why a consumer like you should consider a lot of facts before buying an electric baseboard heater. The best electric baseboard heaters in this review might not be suited for your needs. So, it is best to consider and weigh the facts. By then, you could decide which units work best for you.
- Dimension
You have to take the dimension into account before buying so you know that the product will fit inside your house.
- Specifics
You should also check for the specifics of the unit: how many BTUs, what are the volts and watts, and also if it should be hardwired or plugged in a wire. For the hardware and plugged-in issue, it would be best if you hire a certified electrician if it needs to be hardwired.
- Brand Quality
When buying something, you must put on an account that you don’t just have to buy the most expensive, most popular, or sleek looking. But you have to check the reviews of the brand units that you plan to buy. Expensive doesn’t always mean durable.
- Material
To find the perfect product, you should check the material that was used to build the equipment. Is it powder-coated? Stainless steel? Is it a crush-proof aluminum-ribbon finning? How it was built and what are the materials used to assemble it?
Types of Baseboard Heaters
The following are the different types of baseboard heaters. Read on to find out!
- Electric Baseboard Heaters
These are entities that heat the house in every area. It does not require centralized heating, and you don’t need to spend on ductwork. This heater has an efficient heat source, and they tend to be more efficient than other central heating systems.
The electric baseboard heater is usually mounted below the window. And the cold air coming from the window will be drawn into the unit where the air will be warmed by heated coils. Heated air will gently come out of the unit, and the heater will attract more cool air, and the cycle goes on.
- Hot Water Baseboard Heaters
It is also called hydronic baseboard heaters because it uses central heating, channels hot water through conduits. The heat of the room comes from the baseboard heater from the flowing hot water in the pipes.
This kind of heater is also an effective source of heat. And they happen to be more capable than most types of unit that provides a centralized heating system.
Ideally, hydronic heating is used with radiant heat systems, where hot pipes run under your floor. However, the flooring in some homes makes this installation impractical. Although a hot water baseboard heater is also a choice for hydronic heating without making the initial installation to be costly.
How Do Electric Baseboard Heaters Work?
When it comes to the electric baseboard heaters, typically you’ll find them underneath a window, and works efficiently by heating all of the cold air falling from the windows. The thermostats usually control these types of heaters.
They don’t need any furnace or boiler for heating a room. Electric baseboard heaters can be easily connected to the central electric panel of your house. You can also connect it to the wall outlet of your chamber.
The working method of an electric baseboard heater is pretty much straightforward, and it uses a thermostat for heating the room. When you turn on the switch, cold air from the floor or o=near surroundings is drawn by the thermostat. After that, the cold air runs through the metal fins which are heated by a cable that is being electrified through a cable.
So, the air gets heated by the electrified cable. After that, the warm air spreads all over the room by the force of a small fan. You may find some heaters that come with built-in thermostats. There are some other types of electric baseboard heaters as well, which can be connected to a wall-mounted thermostat by using wires.
Also Read: https://www.bchydro.com/news/conservation/2015/baseboard-heaters.html
Electric Baseboard Heater Safety Tips
An unexpected incident can turn all of your happy moments into a nightmare. If you don’t follow these safety procedures correctly, chances are you’ll end up having a severe accident with your favorite electric baseboard heater.
1. Maintain The Flow of Air:
Maintaining the proper air airflow inside and outside of the heater is significant for the electric baseboard heater to function correctly. Because it attracts cold water, makes them warm, and spreads throughout the room. You should not put anything near the heater, which can block the proper airflow.
2. Keep all the Flammable Things Away From It:
The next tip for you is to keep all of the flammable things away from the heater. Because, if you stay combustible elements like clothes, paper, fabrics or other items near the electric heater, you are at risk of potential fire hazards.
3. Thermostat Control:
When you use an electric baseboard heater, you should carefully consider the thermostat control. You may think about using multiple thermostats for your heaters, but trust me; it will not be a wise decision. You should always go for only one thermostat control regardless of the number of heaters you use in one single room.
4. Keep The Children and Pets Away:
You should always keep your kids and pets away from the heater. Because it can be quite dangerous for them. Try to follow the three feet rule and keep the heater at least three feet away from them so that you can avoid any unexpected situation.
5. Vacuum Occasionally:
The last but not the least safety tip of today is to vacuum your electric baseboard heater occasionally. It is a common phenomenon that your heater may accumulate dust and debris over time. If you don’t clean this dust periodically, it may create severe odours. So, vacuum your favourite heater occasionally.
Where to Place an Electric Baseboard Heater
Electric baseboard heaters come with the ability to make your entire room heated quickly. In most cases, the best place of installing the electric baseboard heater is under windows. There are several benefits of placing it in that place.
In a general sense, warm air enters the house through the window. After that, it spreads throughout the room and floor. So, if you place the heater under the window, it will draw most of the fresh cold air and make them warm for spreading into the entire house.
Besides, you’ll get another significant benefit from the electric baseboard heater if you place it under the window. When in the heater the amount of warm air rises, which will reduce the condensation on the window glass.
However, it depends on the overall humidity levels of the home. You should mount these types of heaters on the wall. Make sure that they are not in direct touch with the floor of the house. Keep at least a 1-inch clearance under them to ensure maximum safety.
Reference: https://www.thespruce.com/electric-baseboard-heaters-overview-1821912
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are new electric baseboard heaters more energy efficient?
Answer: In common sense, new baseboard electric heaters are designed with modern technology. When it comes to the efficiency of the heaters, the energy conversion from electricity to heat remains the same even in the new baseboard heaters.
Heat is created through some kinds of resistance, and the air gets heated through the convention process. After that, the hot air will spread all over the room. That’s how the electric baseboard heaters work.
However, new baseboard heaters somewhat can be more efficient right at the hot air’s passage. However, the usage of energy remains the same regardless of the age of the heaters.
How can I lower my electric bill with baseboard heat?
Answer: It is a common phenomenon in the winter that the electricity bill increases by up to 50% compared to other seasons. It happens mainly due to using of heaters, especially electric heaters, to heat the house.
I know, the heater is a must-have element of the house to heat the room properly. But, you can reduce the overall electric bill with a baseboard heater by following these tips. In most cases, electric baseboard heaters are installed under the window.
To improve the overall efficiency of the heater, you should use good quality window blinds and curtains. But make sure that the airflow of the heater is not blocked. If you rise the heat metrics of the heater, the cost will increase eventually.
Keep your eyes on the heat display to save energy costs. You shouldn’t crank the thermostat because it will not increase the efficiency of the heater, but chances are by doing so your overall energy cost will rise to a significant level.
Are infrared heaters better than baseboards?
Answer: If you compared infrared heaters with baseboard heaters, you’d get maximum benefits from the infrared ones. They are relatively superior to infrared heaters in terms of comfort and effectiveness. Besides, they are more efficient and can make your room warm so that you can get maximum comfort in your house.
On top of that, if you are someone like me who is health-conscious, you should go for infrared heaters because it will maintain the oxygen and humidity level of your home which is not the case with baseboard heaters.
Final Words
Whichever type of electric baseboard heater you plan to choose, or if you want to use a hydronic baseboard heater, it all depends on you. But there are facts that you have to do through some research.
May it be through this best electric baseboard heater review or other product reviews or from people you know who must have bought one of the units mentioned. Whatever kind of electric baseboard heater it is always to choose the one that fits your needs.