Electric baseboard heaters have an on-and-off switch, but you can leave them running at a regular temperature setting.
Yes, while baseboard heaters are considered very safe, and the risk of fire is pretty low if misused, there is a risk of fire. Here are some safety and maintenance tips for preventing fire and to maximize the heating capabilities in a room. Don't Block the Airflow.
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.
It Lasts a Long Time
The life expectancy of hot water baseboard heaters is about 20 years, however, with care they can last much longer. That's why you see them in older homes so often. But age doesn't mean they are defunct. The technology hasn't changed that much and there's a reason for that: it works.
A distance of at least 8 inches / 20 centimeters must be maintained between the baseboard heater and furniture, curtains, bedding, or any object that would trap the heat. Since furniture cannot be placed up against the heater this can limit the space available.
Electric baseboard heaters have an on-and-off switch, but you can leave them running at a regular temperature setting.
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.
A unit will automatically turn off when it begins to overheat due to clogging. Also, make sure the thin metal fins of your baseboard heaters aren't damaged or bent, which can impact heating efficiency. Ensure the wiring is correct: A malfunctioning heater might be the result of a small wiring error.
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.
Choose an energy-efficient setting: 68 degrees when you're home and 60 degrees when sleeping or away. (Exception: For ceiling cable heat, change only 2 to 3 degrees at a time for the most efficiency.) Each degree you lower the temperature throughout your home saves an estimated 2 percent on your heating costs.
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.
Although turning your heat on and completely off frequently can raise energy bills, you can actually save a lot of money by turning your heat down when you are not at home and keeping it at a reasonable temperature when you are.
The gist is that cold air from the window mixes with warm air rising out of the baseboard, that warm air moves around the room, cools and sinks back to the floor, where it is eventually re-heated by the baseboards. That's why traditionally it's recommended to install a baseboard under a window.
Use Knob Controls on the Top or Side of the Heater
Some baseboard heaters don't have thermostats, but rather work with onboard knob controls built into the heater. Find these knob controls on the top or side of the baseboard heater. Try turning the knob counterclockwise to lower the heat and turn the heater off.
Placing furniture in front of baseboard heating can impact both heat distribution and, more importantly, household safety. Maintaining proper clearance from a baseboard heater is essential for your family's comfort and well-being.
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.
To ensure your baseboard heaters are as efficient as possible, turn down your thermostat whenever you can. Baseboard heaters are known for being zone heaters, meaning each heater warms the room it is in rather than the entire house. Practice zone heating by lowering the temperatures of heaters in unused rooms.
And make sure there's nothing flammable near the heater you should be OK. I'll leave mine on when I'm gone if it's going to be cold and stay that way for a while. If you just needed night, turn it off in the daytime to save electricity and then come back and turn it on at night.
Baseboard heaters are very efficient, but they can be a serious fire hazard if used carelessly. Common sense can prevent a baseboard heater fire. Any time a flammable object comes in contact with a heater, a fire could result.
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.
Ductless heat pump systems offer precise temperature control. Small and sleek, they don't detract from your home décor. They provide more comfortable heating, with less of the dryness and irritation caused by electric baseboard produced heat, so that you can breathe easier.
While electric baseboard heaters are known for their resilience and require minimal maintenance, they aren't invincible and may eventually need replacement. Typically, a well-maintained baseboard heater lasts 15-20 years before decline.