Electric baseboard heaters are a popular way to provide
Hiring an electrician to install a baseboard heater can cost upward of $1,000, which means relying on a professional to set up your heating unit won't be cheap. If you can learn how to install a baseboard heater yourself, hiring a professional won't be necessary.
It's worth noting that installing a baseboard heater or removing a baseboard heater on your own isn't safe unless you have proper training and experience. The best route is to hire a licensed electrician or HVAC technician to handle the install for you.
Please note that installing a baseboard heater is an extremely advanced project that is dangerous to take on if you don't have professional experience in electrical work.
The average cost to install electric baseboard heaters is $973, but can vary depending on labor, if hardwiring is needed, and if you're replacing another system.
Hire Licensed Electrical Contractors for Proper Electric Baseboard Heater Installation. Hiring licensed professionals is essential to receive satisfactory services, especially when it comes to electric baseboard heater installation.
Baseboard installation costs $6 to $9 per linear foot with installation, or $400 to $1,500 total on average. The cost to install baseboard trim depends on the material, labor costs, style, and finish. Baseboards cover the junction of the floor and wall, which seals gaps and prevents water damage and mold.
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.
While installation of baseboard trim isn't hard, cutting and measuring the angles can be tricky. The process is similar to installing crown moulding. This is a project where "measure twice, cut once" will save you time and effort.
The general guideline for electric baseboard is 10 watts per square foot of space and 1.25 watts per cubic foot for fan forced heat in rooms with 8' ceilings, rounding up to the product with the next highest wattage rating. Square Ft. Example: 100 sq. ft x 10 watts per sq.
Carpenter or Trim Specialist
Carpenters or trim specialists are professionals who work with wood and trim elements. Their expertise in handling measurements, cuts, and finishing makes them a great choice for baseboard replacement projects.
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.
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.
Electricians generally install 240-volt heaters since they use lower amperage and are more energy-efficient than 120-volt heaters. Adding a 240-volt baseboard heater usually requires a new 20- or 30-amp double-pole circuit breaker and new circuit wiring to supply one or more heater units.
With patience and attention to detail, most homeowners can install their own baseboards. Our guide takes you through the entire installation process, from preparation to finishing touches, ensuring you end up with a professional-looking outcome.
How long does it take to install baseboards? It will take three days. Day one will be measuring, purchasing, and painting. Day two will be cutting, installing, and caulking.
Vinyl Baseboard
It's also fairly easy to install, making it a simple weekend project you can do on your own. Sold in rolls, vinyl baseboard can be easier to work with than wood, and typically has a long life span, requiring little maintenance.
It's easier to use glue for a DIY baseboard application than using nails. Gluing only requires an adhesive for application without additional tools. Gluing is an inexpensive method for attaching baseboards without additional labor costs.
Baseboard heaters require careful consideration to ensure they function efficiently and safely: Maintain Clearance: Keep furniture at least 6 inches away from baseboard heaters. This prevents the blockage of heat and reduces fire risk.
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.
In a 2,000 square-foot home, you may need around 250 to 300 linear feet of baseboard. The combined perimeter baseboard length will be about 180 linear feet. Internal walls will increase that figure by another 100 linear feet to a total of 280 linear feet.
Professional caulking averages $1.25 to $4 per linear foot and usually includes supplies. Overall, hiring a local handyperson costs roughly five times what it would to do it on your own, but that extra expense guarantees a neat, consistent, and effective caulking barrier—and you won't end up with caulk on your hands.