Yes, baseboard heaters use a significant amount of electricity. They convert electricity directly into heat through resistance. While 100% efficient at turning energy into heat, they require a massive amount of power to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Baseboard heaters are great for heating your home and making it comfortable for you to live in; however, not all models are equipped for efficiency. This is especially the case if your home has an electric baseboard heater, as they could use more energy than you intend.
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.
Many baseboard heating systems are a form of electric heat that operates without ductwork and can be expensive to run. Baseboard heating is often more efficient than radiators, and they are even more efficient when they are run constantly, instead of being turned on and off.
To reduce your electric bill with baseboard heat, focus on smart zoning and unrestricted airflow. Maintain a steady 68°F when home, and drop it to 60°F when away. Keep furniture at least 12 inches away and ensure curtains end well above the unit so heat can naturally circulate.
The quick answer: Most electric heaters use between 750-1,500 watts of electricity, with the standard home space heater consuming 1,500 watts on high heat. This translates to roughly $0.25 per hour of operation at current 2025 electricity rates.
In most homes, Heating and Cooling (HVAC) systems drive the highest energy costs, accounting for nearly 40% to 50% of your total electricity bill. Following these, the appliances that run up your bill the most include water heaters, refrigerators, and laundry machines.
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
Natural gas is usually the cheapest way. Even with higher gas prices, a heating system fueled by natural gas is typically less than electricity, propane, or heating oil. Energy efficiency is another way to assess the cost of a heating system. An energy-efficient heating system saves you money on your heating bill.
For most customers, we recommend turning on your furnace when the weather is consistently below 18° Celsius, which usually happens to be around the end of September, or early October. Some homeowners try to put off turning on their furnace as long as they can to save money, which is okay if you're healthy adults.
Broadly, heat pumps are the most efficient form of heating. They can be more expensive than a furnace, especially if you purchase a geothermal heat pump. However, geothermal heat pumps are one of the cleanest heating options on the market. A geothermal heat pump can produce 1/6th the CO2 of a natural gas furnace.
By far the most expensive is the use of an electric boiler, which is due to the high price of electricity. It works best as an additional source of heat, which is used only occasionally. The cheapest heating is the use of a heat pump.
Whether 75 degrees is a "good" temperature depends on your personal comfort, as it is on the warmer side for winter. While it will keep you cozy, it will also lead to higher energy bills and can put extra strain on your heating system.
The fix: Lower your home temperature to 68 degrees when you're home. Maintain comfort by adding extra layers of clothing – try fabrics like fleece, flannel and wool – and don't forget comfy slippers and blankets. If you can comfortably go a degree or two cooler than 68, your wallet will benefit even more!
Here are 12 ways to bring down your electricity bill and keep your home running efficiently:
Baseboard heating is often considered a poor heating choice because it is expensive to operate, slow to heat rooms, and creates hot and cold spots. It also requires you to keep furniture and curtains away from the units to avoid fire hazards, and the physical elements tend to accumulate dust and pet hair, which can release irritants into the air.
Because they do not use standard grid electricity or conventional electric and gas furnaces, the Amish heat their homes using off-grid, self-reliant methods. The most common systems include wood- or coal-burning stoves, propane and kerosene heaters, and natural airflow home designs.
Set your thermostat to 68°F while you are awake and at home. When you are asleep or away from the house, lower it by 7°F to 10°F for eight hours to maximize savings.
In most homes, heating and cooling (HVAC) consume the vast majority of energy (nearly 50%), followed by water heating and large appliances. You can drastically lower your utility bills by optimizing these top five household energy drains:
In most homes, Heating and Cooling (HVAC) systems drive the highest energy costs, accounting for nearly 40% to 50% of your total electricity bill. Following these, the appliances that run up your bill the most include water heaters, refrigerators, and laundry machines.
A detailed study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found residents preferred a wintertime heater setting between 67 °F and 70 °F (19 °C to 21 °C). The Department of Energy recommends a winter heat setting of 68 °F (20 °C), which matches up very well with the temperatures most of us are comfortable with.
The Top Energy-Draining Appliance: Space Heating & Cooling
This includes both forced-air systems, heat pumps, furnaces, baseboards, window A/C units, and fans. Because they run for long periods and often at high wattage, they dominate the consumption profile.
Yes, turning off lights saves electricity. Flipping a switch when you leave a room instantly stops power consumption. Even though there is a tiny spike in energy when a bulb turns on, it is so small that it is offset after just a few seconds of being turned off.