The heat generated by baseboard heaters is a very dry heat. People who use them often get dry skin, dry throats, dry eyes, and bloody noses. You can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, but this requires more electricity and regular cleaning.
Cons of Baseboard Heating: Heating Speed: Baseboard heaters can take longer to warm up a room compared to forced-air systems. Aesthetic: Some people find baseboard heaters unattractive, as they can take up wall space. Maintenance: If it's hot water baseboard heating, the boiler and pipes require maintenance.
What Are Their Cons? Baseboard heaters may not be the best option for living rooms, open floor spaces and other large areas. It's because the warm air they produce only slightly rises before dissipating into the room's atmosphere.
Because baseboard heaters are outdated systems, you may need to hire heating repair services more often just to ensure they are in good working order.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.
Since Electric Baseboard Units circulate heated air by convection, not by radiant heating or a fan blowing air, it is a very slow and gentle airflow. Cobwebs and dust that collect on the tiny metal fins can restrict heating by more than 80%. The units must be kept clean or they will simply not work.
Heat pumps, which use electricity to transfer heat from outside the home into it, rather than heating up like a toaster oven, are 3 times more efficient than electric furnaces and baseboard heating systems. That inefficiency means electric heating uses more electricity, which translates to higher utility bills.
Baseboard heaters typically use 250 watts per foot. Measure the length of your baseboard heaters and multiply the length in feet by 250 to find the wattage of your heaters. For example, a 6-foot long baseboard heater would use 1,500 watts (250 times 6). Visit the Department of Energy website for another good resource.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives to baseboard heating that can provide comfortable and even heating throughout your home. Forced air heating, radiant heating, heat pumps, and electric space heaters are just a few of the many alternatives available to homeowners.
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.
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.
Natural gas is likely the cheapest way to heat your home, provided you have natural gas in your area. A natural gas furnace costs $30 to $60 per month to run, which makes it 30% to 85% cheaper to run than an oil, electric, or propane furnace.
Drapery or furniture placed too close to heaters can also be a problem. Especially when it comes to electric baseboard heaters, you should treat your baseboard heaters with respect. Ensure there is an 18 inch space between hydronic baseboard heaters and drapes or furniture.
One of the main disadvantages of baseboard heaters is that they can be very noisy when operating. Also, since the heater is installed along the wall and not in a central location like a furnace, it can take longer for rooms to warm up compared to other heating systems.
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.
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.
This is because cold air can leak through and create unpleasant drafts. The heat from a baseboard heater under a window will rise and help to offset that cool air, the more cold air that comes in, the harder a heater has to work. This can lead to higher energy costs.
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).
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.
Best Options for Replacing Baseboard Heaters
When considering replacing your baseboard heaters, your two best options are ducted heat pumps and ductless heat pumps. Here's a quick introduction to the two systems.
Even if you enjoy your baseboard heaters, you should still consider talking to an HVAC specialist about upgrading to a more modern heating and cooling system. An HVAC system will not only provide you with a reliable heating and cooling system but also give your home a modern upgrade you can appreciate.
While ductless heat pumps do work best with proper insulation, they can do more than baseboard heat in a room if it's less than optimal. They are more energy efficient than baseboard heaters – in fact, they are considered one of the most energy-efficient heaters on the market today.
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.
Electric baseboard heaters have an on-and-off switch, but you can leave them running at a regular temperature setting.
This is likely where the common misconception that heaters must be installed under a window comes from. While it's often a good practice, it isn't a requirement.