They can step in as room-zonedspace heaterswhen whole-house heating is cost-prohibitive.
They address the need for a permanentheating systemwith the convenience of a wall-mounted thermostat.
But they cost only a fraction of central heating and can even be installed by the homeowner.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
What Is an Electric Baseboard Heater?
An electric baseboard heater is a permanent, standalone zone heating equipment.
An electric resistance element within the rig heats up and gradually trickles heat into the space.
Install one or two electric baseboard heaters per room.
A small single baseboard heater cannot heat an entire house nor can it heat a large space.
Running central heat to these areas can be more costly than it’s worth.
So, electric baseboard heaters fill this need.
Heat Output
Correctlysizing the electric baseboard heater to the roomis crucial.
Undersized heaters run continuously or fail to provide adequate warmth.
Oversized heaters needlessly cost more to purchase and install.
Multiply 100 by 10 to arrive at a wattage requirement of 1,000 watts.
This rule of thumb applies to rooms with 8-foot ceilings and an average amount of insulation (R-13).
Existing unused circuits can possibly be used for the heater.
This is applicable both to work performed by you or by a licensed electrician.
Length equals heating capacity: the longer the heater, the more heat it can output.
Electric baseboard heaters are usually about 7 to 10 inches high and project from the wall about 3 inches.
Built-in air intakes at the bottom allow air to flow into the heater while preventing obstructions.
Thermostat
Electric baseboard heaters are controlled by thermostats that help the room maintain a set temperature.
The national average for the price of electricity is $0.160 per kWh.
Many electrical supply houses are wholesale-only, so first confirm that they sell retail products.
Oil-filled heaters are often classified as hydronic heaters, so read the descriptions carefully.
Colors are usually limited to white, black, and almond or beige.
For a greater selection, purchase your own electric baseboard heater and have the electrician install it for you.
Online outlets will have a greater variety of baseboard heaters than local stores.
With severe physical damage to the heater, it’s best to replace it with a new unit.
If possible, buy an electric baseboard heater in the warmer months.
Depending on your area, this is the period from spring to late summer.
The high demand for baseboard heaters in the fall and winter can often mean product shortages and higher prices.
Energy.gov
Natural Gas Bans Are New Front in Effort to Curb Emissions.Pew Charitable Trust
Average Energy Prices.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
