When the weather starts to get cold and the days get shorter, finding the most efficient and effective method of heating one’s home is crucial. While most homes have built-in heating systems, they are not always the most efficient at heating a house. This is why it is sometimes necessary to supplement a home’s heating system with products like portable baseboard heaters which use electricity to add heat to a home during periods of time when the weather is excessively cold. These types of heaters are also excellent for homes not containing their own heating systems. In areas of the world where cold temperatures are not commonly experienced, homes do not always require heating systems. These homes can benefit tremendously from the use of a portable space heater or electric heat radiator. Regardless of the situation, when the time comes to purchase additional heating products for one’s home, individuals should take a look at the possibility of using efficient and effective baseboard heaters.
Baseboard Heater Advantages
Baseboard heating units are becoming very popular for homes requiring supplemental heat. They are meant to be placed along the baseboard of a wall underneath a window, and they supply radiant heat to an entire room. Additionally, they warm the cool air coming in through the wall and window. This helps to maintain a comfortable temperature. Here are some of the major advantages of using a baseboard heater:
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- Portability
- Energy efficiency
- Low profile
- No noise
- No moving parts
- Comfortable heat
- Many available sizes
Buying a Baseboard Heater
For those who have decided to add heat to their homes with Baseboard heating systems, there are some things to consider before making a purchase. First of all, one must calculate the amount of space requiring heat. In order to calculate this, it is necessary to determine which rooms of the home will need additional heat. Once the number of rooms requiring heat is determined, a homeowner should then calculate the square footage of each room. This will reveal the total number of square feet that must be heated. By having this information, a homeowner can save themselves time when he or she goes to purchase a heater at Home Depot or another similar store, since the heaters are rated by the amount of square footage they can cover.
The next consideration when determining which baseboard heaters will work best in a home is whether the homeowner wants to use a traditional, electric baseboard heater, or a more expensive hydronic baseboard heater. Certainly, each style has advantages and disadvantages. Both of the choices will heat a room more slowly than forced air heating systems or refurbished fan heaters, for example. It is simply a fact that Baseboard heating systems take time to heat a room. However, the standard electric models generally take less time to heat a room than hydronic heaters. Hydronic heaters, which are somewhat similar to radiators, are more energy efficient, though, using less wattage per square foot as compared to traditional baseboard heating systems. The initial investment in a hydronic heater is more than that of a traditional baseboard heater, but homeowners will save on energy costs throughout the life of the heating unit.
Finding the Best Brands of Baseboard Heaters
Once the decision has been made to purchase an electric baseboard heating unit, a specific model must be chosen. There are many brands available to consumers, but the most reputable maker of these heating products is the Cadet company. Cadet electronic heaters are available in hydronic and traditional styles, plus they are reasonably priced. Following are two of Cadet’s most popular heaters. One uses hydronic technology, while the other does not.
The Cadet Softheat Hydronic Baseboard Heater
This model is one of the finest such products made today. It costs about $200, making the initial investment somewhat large, but it is designed to provide warm and wonderful heat for many years. It uses a 240 volt system that runs on 1000 watts of power. It is rated to be able to effectively heat 167 square feet. The major benefit of this model is that it retains heat better than most other similar heaters. Also, it keeps room temperatures from fluctuating, meaning that a room’s temperature should remain constant while the unit is in use.
The Cadet #09956 240V Base Electric Heater
This is a basic baseboard heater that should be able to keep any average-size room nice and warm on even the coldest days. Its retail price is approximately $50, making it much more cost effective initially than a similar hydronic heating system. It is designed to be used with a thermostat, which must be purchased separately, however. Its 1500 watts of power mean that it can powerfully heat a room with consistent and pleasant warmth.
Using Your Baseboard Heaters Properly
Once a baseboard heater has been installed, it should be operated properly. One should always read product manuals and guidelines to know that the product is being operated in the most effective manner. It should be noted that baseboard heating systems are not meant to be adjusted frequently. This means that they will work best in areas where the heat is set at a certain temperature without adjustments made throughout a day. Once the heater has gotten a chance to do its work, owners are typically very impressed with the comfort provided by these heaters. They also love the fact that these heaters do their jobs so quietly.
Final ThoughtsÂ
Homeowners do what they can to make their homes wonderful spaces in which to live. Heating one’s home can be challenging, however. This is why it is so important to choose the right kinds of heaters, whether they are cooling heaters, baseboard heaters, venting cooling heaters, or some other style. Homeowners should investigate all products thoroughly, and make the best decision for them and their families. Because baseboard heating systems are so efficient and inexpensive, they make great choices in most circumstances.