All About Baseboard Heaters

With energy costs on the rise, many homeowners are looking for affordable, supplemental heating solutions. Moreover, sometimes existing heating systems don???t provide enough heat to cover all rooms in the home or office, and additional heating may be necessary. Baseboard heaters supplement central heating by providing enough heat to warm up areas 50 to 150 square feet in size. These efficient heaters only require the use of 500 to 1500 watts, so they're extremely efficient and rather inexpensive to operate. There are both 120V and 240V baseboard heaters, so you can install them practically anywhere!

How Do Baseboard Heaters Work?

Many people choose to use baseboard heaters as a supplemental heating source because they operate silently and safely. Baseboard heaters quietly heat small areas without the use of a fan, a process also known as convection. The heating element draws in cold air that has been pushed down and keeps releasing warmth into the air until the thermostat reaches the desired temperature. Most baseboard heaters include a safety thermal cutout protection feature in case of overheating and an auto-safety feature that reactivates the heater once the temperature goes back down.

Baseboard Heater Types

There are two types of baseboard heaters: mountable and freestanding. Both are great for bedrooms, living rooms, and other frequently occupied closed rooms, but oftentimes people prefer freestanding baseboard heaters over their mountable counterparts because the former do not require any installation and can be moved from room to room with virtually no hassle. However, mountable baseboard heaters are very easy to install and can???t be accidentally moved or tripped over once they are securely mounted into place. At the same time, both types of baseboard heaters are sure to remain flat on any floor, whether it is wood, carpet, or tile.

What About Maintenance?

Baseboard heaters require very little maintenance because the heating element inside has no moving parts. Upkeep mostly consists of removing dust and lint from the grill of the heater!

Features to Look For:

When shopping for a baseboard heater, here are a few features you may want to look for:

• Built-in Thermostat: This allows you to maintain a steady and comfortable temperature setting.
• Tip-Over Switch: This safety feature automatically shuts the baseboard heater off in case it is tipped over.
• Automatic Shutoff: This turns off the heater if the unit's internal temperature gets too hot.

For more information on baseboard heaters, see our baseboard heater FAQ.