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.
Because it's more efficient for them to be under windows it allows for the warm air to circulate better and keep condensation from building up on your windows.
Baseboard heaters are, as some have said, usually located under windows. This is done because the convective flow from the heater serves to keep the window clear of condensation. In a large open room spread the heaters around. And with high or vaulted ceilings consider either a ceiling fan or increasing the wattage.
Here's a quick rundown of the best practices:
Fan heaters work best on an inside wall; baseboards are best under a window. (But you can install fan heaters on outside walls and baseboards on inside walls.) If you're installing a heater by a door, make sure the heater isn't blocked by the door when it is open.
A well-known way to position heaters is under windows. If you do not have the space for panel heaters, you can also choose wall strip panel heaters, which are lower and longer versions. By placing heaters under the windows, you heat up cold air descending from the window glass, and avoid cold draughts along the floor.
The traditional place to position your radiator is the coldest part of the room. Whether that's beneath your window or against the wall. This is due to conduction, with incoming cold air causing more effective heat conduction and pushing the hot air from your radiator into the middle of the room.
In order to avoid cold spots heating vents are often placed directly below windows. Registers, like the one shown in Figure 1, are grates placed over ventilation openings in the home and are used to regulate airflow.
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.
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.
Myth #2: Bigger is Better.
The rule of thumb for sizing a baseboard, or any electric heater, was 10 watts per square foot. So if you have a 10 x 10 room you would need a 1,000 watt heater.
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.
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.
About 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.
Hanging your curtains over your radiators means that there is a chance they could be blocking warm air from entering the room. At the moment while the cost of living is ever rising, this might be something you want to consider.
Is It Okay To Put A Sofa In Front Of A Radiator? It is not recommended to place a sofa directly in front of a radiator.
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.
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.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save on utility bills by turning down their thermostats before they go to sleep and during the daytime hours when/if no one is home. You can save an average of 1% on energy costs for every degree reduced on your thermostat.
IT IS TRUE that heat is lost through the glass, but this location is used because it creates greater comfort, by counteracting the cold down draught, which is especially prevalent with single-glazed windows.
Maintain Clearance: Keep furniture at least 6 inches away from baseboard heaters. This prevents the blockage of heat and reduces fire risk.
This is something most of us learn in school and it helps to explain why radiators are located underneath windows. As the hot air rises from the radiator, the cold air that is coming in through the window pushes against the warm air, circulating it around the room much more efficiently.
When vents are placed near the ceiling, air is able to more freely circulate throughout the room. Furniture is also less likely to obstruct the flow of air. This allows your home's heating and cooling system to make each space more comfortable while improving your energy efficiency along the way.
If your windows are well insulated with double glazing or triple glazing, they will be able to retain enough heat to keep the house warm, even with trickle vents still open. If your house is losing heat from its windows, it's recommended to replace your glazing and invest in good draught-proofing.