How Do Electric Baseboard Heaters Heaters work

Electric hydronic baseboard heaters work the same way as regular baseboards, the only difference is sheathed electric heating element is completely submerged in heat transfer fluid totally sealed in a copper tube spanning the length of the heater. Heat is transferred evenly across the entire length of heater. Even after thermostat is turned off, soft warmth continues to radiate because of maximum heat retention of the hydronic element.

Electric baseboard heaters are powered by electricity as opposed to natural gas or oil. The heating element inside every electric heater is simply an electrical resistor – when the heater is on, electric current cause’s resistance heating up an element. A baseboard heater is a type of convection heater. It heats up and spreads its air through metal fins, warming the air directly above and around it. Hot air spreads out, becoming less dense and rising into the air. This creates a vacuum, pulling cool air towards the baseboard heater and starting the process over again. This creates a continuous current of air called a convection current. Once the convection current gets flowing, it can spread heat to the entire room.

Voltage

Electric Baseboard Heaters come in either 120 or 240 voltage. It’s important to have to correct voltage – if you have question on voltage please call us or consult your electrician.

• 120 volt wall heaters come in wattages ranges of 500 to 1500 watts
• A 120 volt heater can only heat a room 50-150 sq ft a room bigger them you will have to go with a 240 volt model

• 240 volt heaters range for 1,000 to 4,800 watts
• If you wire a 240 volt heater to a 120 volt circuit, you will only receive about ¼ or 25% of the wattage the heater was designed to deliver
• If you wire a 120 volt heater to a 240 volt circuit the heater will overheat and self-destruct! The heater will try to deliver four times its rated wattage, causing the element & the motor permanent damage.

• You may also have heard of (110 volts, 115 volts, and 125 volts) – they are the same as 120 volts. Also, (220 volts, 230 volts, and 250 volts) are the same as 240 volts.

Thermostat

Baseboard heaters can be controlled by a built in or wall mounted heater. Built-in thermostats (mounted directly on baseboard) are designed for single heater use. However, it is possible to control more than 1 heater on a wall thermostat if the thermostat rating is not exceeded. (Check the thermostat or instruction guide for thermostat rating.)

Mounting

Baseboard should be mounted at the floor level to heat your room effectively. If installed on carpet, the bottom of the baseboard should be mounted evenly with the carpet height. Baseboard heaters must be mounted horizontally, and near or at floor level only. You can not recess mount a heater. Recess mounting a heater can cause a potential fire hazard