Are baseboards expensive to run?

Author: Maritza Emard  |  Last update: Friday, June 6, 2025

Millions of Americans use electric resistance heating — most commonly baseboard heating and electric furnaces — to heat their homes. These systems may be cheap and easy to install, but they're incredibly expensive to operate and fail to provide the year-round efficiency and comfort of heat pumps.

Do baseboards use a lot of electricity?

If you rely mostly on electric baseboard heaters to heat your home, they probably make up a big part of your annual electricity bill – sometimes as much as 44%. However, there are plenty of ways to maximize the efficiency of your baseboard heaters to cut down your winter heating costs.

Is it expensive to run baseboard heating?

According to HomeGuide, it costs between $480 and $900 a month to warm your home with electric baseboard heat. But that will quickly increase if a faulty or poorly programmed thermostat causes your heater to turn off and on or run more often than it needs to.

Do baseboard heaters increase the electric bill?

No, unless you get very high end, oil-filled baseboard heaters. These work a lot like hot water radiators. Your bills can go down, but you will also get complaints about it taking a long time to get up to the temp they want.

Is it cheaper to leave baseboard heaters on all the time?

Not really. The cost of heat is determined by the time the furnace or heater runs. Whenever it is off, there is no cost. After being off, it takes longer to regain temperature, but not sufficiently to be longer than if it were on all the time.

Electric Baseboard Heaters: Pros and Cons

How do I keep my electric bill down with baseboard heat?

If you're the owner of a baseboard heater, try these tips for improving your baseboard heater's efficiency.
  1. Decrease Drafts. ...
  2. Adjust Your Thermostat. ...
  3. Clean Baseboard Heaters Regularly. ...
  4. Choose the Right Cover.

What is the downside of baseboard heat?

Dangerous and uncomfortable

Electric baseboards get hot, which means you have to keep furniture and curtains at least six inches away from them to prevent fire. If you have young children in the house, they can also be a burn risk. The heat generated by baseboard heaters is a very dry heat.

What runs your electric bill up the most?

What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.

Is it cheaper to run a space heater or baseboard heat?

Electric baseboard heaters are generally more energy-efficient for long-term use because they convert nearly all the electricity they use into heat and can be controlled to heat specific areas. Space heaters can consume more electricity, especially when used for prolonged periods.

Can you leave baseboard heaters on overnight?

Electric heaters of any type are unsafe to leave running overnight because they carry a significant amount of risk.

What is the cheapest way to heat a house?

Cheapest ways to heat your home
  • Ceramic Heaters. ...
  • Oil-Filled Heaters. ...
  • Fan Heaters. ...
  • Convector Heaters. ...
  • Panel Heaters. ...
  • Storage Heaters. ...
  • Space Heaters. ...
  • Heated clothes airers.

How much is an electric bill with baseboard heat?

Baseboard heating cost

Installing baseboard heat costs $5,400 to $7,800 for 18 to 26 units to heat a home. Electric baseboard heat costs $480 to $900 per month to run on average.

Is baseboard heating outdated?

Because baseboard heaters are outdated systems, you may need to hire heating repair services more often just to ensure they are in good working order. In contrast, more modern HVAC systems won't require as much maintenance, and they can efficiently heat your entire house through ducts and vents.

Why does baseboard heat cost so much?

Another reason is that Electric Baseboard heating units are typically placed on exterior walls, and under windows. Heating an exterior wall automatically demands more energy because the heater is always 'up against' the cold outdoors and heat is lost regardless of the insulation.

Do you really need baseboards?

While modern baseboards may seem like they are only there to finish off the bottom of the drywall and add aesthetic appeal, they also serve another purpose. They are put in place to protect the drywall from absorbing anything that may spill on the floor.

Do baseboard heaters shut off automatically?

Some baseboard heaters have a safety cutoff element inside them. If the temperature gets too high it shuts off the currnet going thorugh the baseboard but does not automatically turn on anything special if it gets too cool.

What is the cheapest way to heat a room with electricity?

Far Infrared Heaters are the most efficient of all the space heater options and consume the lowest wattage, making them the cheapest to run. Far Infrared is radiant heating and is most easily absorbed by people's skin. In fact, all objects, including us emit and absorb infrared.

Does baseboard heat use a lot of electricity?

In general, electric baseboard heaters use more electricity than an electric heat pump. This means higher electric bills, especially in the coldest winter months when they're working overtime to keep your home warm. The placement of baseboard heaters — near windows and exterior walls — can also work against you.

How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt heater for 24 hours?

Example (you can use an electric heater running cost calculator below for different wattages/kWh prices): If we assume the price of electricity is $0.1319 per kWh, a 1,500-watt electric space heater will cost; $0.20 to run per hour. $4.80 to run per 24 hours (day). $11.20 to run per week (8h/day).

What drains the most electricity in a house?

Which home appliances use the most electricity?
  1. Heating and cooling: 45-50% The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. ...
  2. Water heater: 12% ...
  3. Lighting: 9-12% ...
  4. Refrigerator: 8% ...
  5. Washer and dryer: 5% ...
  6. Electric oven: 3% ...
  7. Dishwasher: 2% ...
  8. TV and cable box: 2%

What would cause a sudden spike in electricity usage?

Faulty electrical wiring could cause a sudden increase in electricity consumption, or your electrical meter may be broken. If you continue to see a higher than expected electricity bill, even after taking all of the necessary steps to troubleshoot the exact cause, it may be time to call a certified electrician.

What utility bill is usually the highest?

Key takeaways
  • The average American household pays $6,888 in utility bills per year, including for cell phone and internet services, electricity, gas and water.
  • The most expensive utility is cell phone service, at $1,844 per year, followed by electricity at $1,644 per year.

How much does baseboard heating cost per month?

Cost Per Month to Run a Baseboard Heater

If you're heating your home for ten hours a day, running a baseboard heater could cost between $500 to $1,000 per month, depending on the home's size and quality of insulation.

Can baseboard heaters stay on all the time?

Electric baseboard heaters have an on-and-off switch, but you can leave them running at a regular temperature setting.

Can you change from baseboard heating to forced air?

Replacing baseboard heaters with forced air is common for many homeowners because forced air systems are much more efficient and save your bank account over time. Before making the switch, you'll need to prepare for a few things.

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