Cold weather means Hydro demand reaches new high for 2016

Baseboard heater care tips and information

If you rely mostly on electric baseboard heaters, they probably make up a big part of your annual electricity bill – sometimes as much as 44%, according to BC Hydro.

Making sure your heaters and working properly and operating efficiently can go a long way in keeping costs down. To help you do just that, BC Hydro has produced this list of 10 things you might not know about your baseboard heaters:

1. Baseboard heaters are usually located under windows because it’s more efficient that way. Windows are colder than the rest of the room, and can create unpleasant drafts, making you feel cold and uncomfortable. Dense cold air near the window sinks to the floor, but heat from a baseboard heater under the window will rise, counteracting the falling cool air.
2. Heat rises – and so do your energy costs, for every degree above 68°F. Heating costs rise about 5% for every degree above 20°C (68°F) that you set your thermostats. If you’re comfortable at cooler temperatures (especially if you’re cooking or working around the house), you’ll be able to save.
3. Cranking the thermostat doesn’t warm up the room any faster. If you’ve ever returned home to a room that feels like the Arctic, it’s pretty tempting to crank the thermostat up four or five degrees past where you normally set it. But it will still take the same length of time to warm up, and you’ll just use more energy, because it keeps heating the room after you’ve passed your regular comfortable temperature.
4. Thick carpet or rugs can get in the way. You probably know that carpets and rugs can warm up a room and help keep your feet warm. But ensure that they’re not making baseboard heaters inefficient. Although it may look like warm air is only coming out of the front of your heaters, the air is actually circulating all around. Your heaters should sit at least two centimetres (three-quarters of an inch) above the floor or carpet to allow the cooler air on the floor to flow under and through the electrical element. If your carpet is especially thick, trim it down around the base of your heaters.
5. Window coverings keep cool air out, but can block your heaters. The bottom of your drapes should end at least 10 centimetres (four inches) above your heaters or, if your drapes run floor-to-ceiling, at least one inch above the floor. Make sure you have at least five centimetres (two inches) between the back of the drapes and the front of your heaters. It’s all about airflow; don’t let flooring or window coverings block airflow anywhere around your heater.
6. If it’s dusty, it’s not working properly. An electric baseboard heater has an electrical heating element inside a metal pipe. When the heater is turned on, an electric current flows through the heating element. Although baseboard heaters will always turn electricity used into heat, dust and dirt on your heating system can block that heat from being distributed effectively in your space. You can end up running heaters longer because it’s more difficult to release the heat that’s generated, through dirty fins, into the room. At least once a year (usually in the fall, before using them for the first time), wipe down the surface of your heaters and vacuum the fins and housing to remove as much dust as possible. A brush attachment for your vacuum works well if you have one.
7. Programmable thermostats are more precise than the manual ones located on your heater. Most heaters are controlled by a wall-mounted dial thermostat or a dial on the side of the baseboard itself. But they’re less precise and harder to control than a programmable or digital model. Thermostats mounted directly on the heaters can be slower to respond to changes in room temperature, so for rooms where you’re spending a lot of time (such as your living room), you should consider replacing that thermostat with a wall-mounted model. For accurate readings, never install a thermostat directly above a baseboard heater, near a refrigerator or other large appliance, or where it will be in direct sunlight.
8. Pick sweet 16 (degrees) to maximize your savings. 16°C (61°F) is too cold for most of us to stay comfortable when we’re home, but what about when you’re asleep and covered in blankets? Setting your baseboards to 16°C at night and when you’re away (such as at work all day) can help you save up to 10% on your energy bills.
9. Baseboard heaters don’t circulate air well. Baseboards do a great job of heating in “zones” – that is, heating the spaces that you need, compared to heating your entire home all the time. But since they don’t have a forced air or fan system, don’t rely on baseboard heating in one room to heat hallways or adjacent spaces, such as by leaving doors open. Instead, heat the space you need when you’re using it.
10. Base heaters are one of the safest heating options available since they can’t tip over. For most of us, dust and lint on the unit aren’t likely to pose a safety risk, but regular cleaning (vacuuming) won’t hurt and will minimize the risks further. Unlike portable space heaters which can tip over easily, baseboards are safer for kids and pets, but keep them away from the unit and especially the interior fins which can be warm to the touch.