Baseboards are available from 400 watts to 1500 watts in increments of about 250 watts. Heating elements are normally rated for 120, 208 and 240 volts. 277 volts and higher voltages are available.

Standard watt density baseboards are normally 200 to 250 watts per linear foot of unit which distributes the heat most evenly along entire exterior perimeter walls for increased comfort. 

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Installing Your Thermostats

Being 100% efficient, the output efficiency of electric baseboard heaters can not be improved; however, controlling how they operate directly affects the amount of energy used to heat your home. The thermostat controls the temperature to which the living area is heated. Reducing the thermostat’s set temperature reduces the temperature difference between inside and outside and therefore the rate at which the building loses its heat. You can save between 5% and 9% on your annual heating bill by setting back the household temperature from 70°F to 64°F for one eight hour period per day.

A common misconception is that a room will heat faster if the thermostat is set higher than the desired temperature. Setting the temperature higher wastes energy and drastic temperature swings will make occupants uncomfortable. The rate at which a room will be heated is determined by the size of the heating appliance not the set temperature of the thermostat.

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More Energy Saving Tips

Baseboard heaters provide the heat for an individual space and so should be set to a temperature appropriate for that living area. Energy can be saved in seldom used rooms by turning down the thermostat and closing the door to that room. The homeowner should be cautioned that closing off a room significantly affects fresh air circulation. Over an extended period of time, the reduced air circulation could allow bacteria a chance to grow. Opening the door to closed rooms periodically, such as at night, will reduce the chances of problems occurring due to a lack of adequate air circulation.

Baseboard heaters should be cleaned periodically to remove excess dust that will accumulate over time. Dust acts as an insulator inhibiting the transfer of heat to the air. Make sure that the heater is turned off before you do this.

Safety Around Drapes

Make sure there is adequate clearance for drapes above the electric space heating units to ensure proper air circulation. To avoid trapping warm air rising from the heaters, draperies should not touch them. The bottom of the drape should be at least 4" above the heater. If floor to ceiling drapes are used, there should be at least 2" clearance from the back of the drape to the heater face and 1-1⁄2" clearance from the bottom of the drape to the floor.

Where valance boards are used and heaters are located behind the drapes, the valance board should be open above to allow good air circulation throughout the room.

Accommodating Carpets

Carpets should be installed so as not to block the baseboard air intake. Since wall to wall carpet often expands if not tightly stretched when installed, we recommend baseboards be installed after carpets are down, or that units be mounted 3⁄4" off the floor to allow carpets to be installed underneath. Because lint from carpets can block the air circulation, vacuum the air intakes and heater elements regularly in heavily carpeted areas.

Avoiding Wall Streaking

Fit baseboard heaters tightly to the wall so that air does not circulate behind them. . This tight fit to the wall is essential to avoid marking the wall with streaks above the unit. Wall streaking is caused when the rising warm air from the baseboard deposits dust particles, allowing a gradual build-up of this airborne material.