It’s snowing outside. You get back home, desperately seeking an optimum level of comfort. So, what do you do next?
Undoubtedly, you turn on the thermostat, and the baseboard heater provides that wonderful cozy feeling. Indeed, energy-efficient solutions like baseboard heaters have become integral additions to our lifestyle.
Still, when homeowners have multiple choices, things become a tad confusing. Take the case of hydronic heaters. There’s a common debate about their utility in modern homes. Should we prefer hydronic over convection heaters?
With an annual market rise of 5.2%, it’s the best time to invest in baseboard units. However, it’s time to solve your dilemma of the standard vs. hydronic debate once for all. Read on to make the best choice for your next room heater.
What is Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heater
A hydronic electric baseboard heater is a gadget that heats the surrounding air by convection.
A non-toxic heating element like water or oil circulates in the pipes of this heater. This liquid warms up, providing radiant heat to the surrounding air.
Thus, hydronic heaters save more energy and are comparatively safer due to their overall design and working principle.
Pros and Cons of Hydronic Baseboard Heaters
Hydronic electric baseboards are your best choice for a long-term heater than standard or convection units.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Fewer chances of allergies
- Perfect for built-in systems
- Reduced energy usage
- More moisture control
- Reduced heat loss
- No need for filters
Cons
- Bigger size
- High initial investment
- Need of regular maintenance
What is a Standard Electric Baseboard Heater
A standard baseboard electric heater is a simple gadget that controls room temperature efficiently. Also known as convection baseboard, this gadget consists of electric coils.
The coils work as the heating element that heats up when turned ON. Consequently, the hot coils transfer heat and maintain warm air in the room.
Unlike hydronic systems, these heaters do not have a heat transfer liquid. Instead, cool air is drawn in the bottom of the heater due to its high density.
Pros and Cons of Standard Electric Baseboard Heaters
The absence of a heated liquid reduces energy efficiency in standard electric baseboard heaters. However, these units have their unique set of pros and cons.
Pros
- Low initial cost
- Simple installation
- Big range of size options
- Easy for DIY repair
- Long lifespan
Cons
- It needs more energy input
- Requires dust filters
- Inconsistent heating results
- Coil contact can prove risky
A convection baseboard heater is seen in many traditional and pre-existing homes. Overall, its simplicity allures potential customers.
Hydronic Baseboard Heaters vs. Electric – In-Depth Comparison
The operating mechanism is the critical difference between a hydronic baseboard and convection heaters. However, as a consumer, you should assess the following aspects.
Price/Cost to Operate
Hydronic baseboard heaters are efficient and provide more balanced heating. However, the initial investment in these units is high. Usually, material and labor costs increase the overall price of these units.
Due to the traditional mechanism, a standard electric baseboard heater is less costly. In addition, the installation process is comparatively simple.
Hydronic baseboard heaters are energy efficient but require a high initial investment. Still, you will enjoy noticeable energy savings compared to standard baseboards.
Sizes
Generally, a central boiler heats the liquid present in hydronic convection units. This fluid circulates in pipes, making the overall system slightly complex compared with standard units.
A convection baseboard heater consists of metallic fins that act as heating coils. Thus, their overall size is compact. In addition, these electric baseboards have a thermostat located on the heater.
Hydronic systems are usually bigger compared to standard or convection baseboards.
Energy Efficiency
A hydronic heater lowers energy usage as the liquid generates longer-lasting heat. Thus, there’s no need to fret about the constant fluctuating thermostat cycle. In addition, the circulating liquid remains warm for extended periods, reducing your overall energy consumption.
Convection heaters, on the other hand, stop producing heat after the unit turns off. Hence, the thermostat cycles require more energy, which increases your energy bill.
Benefits like balanced heating, long heat retention, and reduced load on the thermostat cycle make hydronic heaters more energy-efficient.
Installation
A hydronic baseboard heater requires a steady supply of heating fluid. Thus, its installation is connected directly to a home’s piping network.
The standard baseboard heater is generally hard-wired to an electric line. Homeowners can connect these heaters to a 120 V or 240 V line depending on the manufacturer.
Thus, both gadgets do not preferably have a plug-in mounting like other heaters in terms of installation. But, overall, standard vs. hydronic, the installation is nearly the same.
Note: Hydronic baseboard heaters need expert personnel for installation due to more reliance on good plumbing. Hence, the process can be costly.
Maintenance Costs
Since hydronic baseboards use a boiler or furnace to heat the hydronic element (fluid), they offer the following benefits.
- Low surface temperature
- Reduced frequency of thermostat kicks
- High efficiency
So, you need to focus on the boiler or furnace operation, pipe corrosion, and liquid leakage. All these aspects make hydronic units a tad more challenging to maintain. Thus, the overall maintenance costs increase.
Noise
Both types of baseboard heaters maintain hot air without utilizing any moving parts. The only sound you can hear is when the thermostat turns ON.
Apart from these sounds, you won’t experience any hassle from heating water in the case of a hydronic heater. Also, the conventional or standard baseboard makes a gentle sound of casing expanding due to thermal differences.
Lifespan
A hydronic heater is prone to corrosion; hence, you need periodic maintenance. Thus, the lifespan of this baseboard is limited, i.e., around two decades.
Standard electric baseboard heaters generate gentle heat with in-built coils. Hence, due to a simple working mechanism, these heaters have a longer lifespan, making the heaters ideal for long-term usage.
Overall, standard baseboard heaters can be mixed bag. You will often get a longer life cycle accompanied by high operating costs. On the other hand, hydronic units can last for over two decades with proper maintenance.
Top Baseboard Heater Brands
If you have decided between a hydronic and standard baseboard heater, explore these brands for generating the best thermal mass.
Marley Engineered Products
This brand is well-known in the world of comfort heating and ventilation products. The brand has a manufacturing unit in South Carolina. These are some well-known product brands of Marley.
- Berko
- Fahrenheit
- Leading Edge
- QMark
The wide array of heaters of this renowned brand is as follows.
- Baseboard
- Ceiling
- Portable
- Infrared
- Radiant
Be sure to check their official website to explore more and maintain the much-required supplemental heat at home.
Cadet
Operating from Vancouver, Washington, Cadet ensures the steady supply of gentle heat running during chilly winters through its gadgets.
Here’s a wide list of heating solutions that Cadet offers.
- Fan forced heaters
- Baseboard heaters
- Frost protection heaters
- Cove heaters
- Workshop heaters
So, you check this brand to ensure maintaining a comfortable temperature at home.
King Electrical
Operating from Seattle, Washington, King Electrical Company offers a wide range of residential and electrical heaters.
Furthermore, you can even explore other products from King, as mentioned below.
- Heating Cables
- Furnaces
- High-velocity fans
- Air ventilation systems
From daycare facilities to residential applications, this brand covers various customers. The manufacturer’s comfort guide is another informative resource to explore.
Top Baseboard Heater Models to Explore
This list contains trending and positively-reviewed baseboard heaters. You can get a top value for your investment from these models.
- Fahrenheit PLF 1004
- Cadet EBHN 1000 WLH
- Marley HBB 504
- King Series K
- Comfort Zone CZ 600
Amidst all these fascinating heater models, it is crucial to assess your preferences. Your budget, living space, existing installation possibilities, etc., are a few factors to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baseboard Heaters
Are hydronic baseboard heaters electric?
Hydronic baseboard heaters can be in the following two configurations.
- Self-contained
- Integrated
The self-contained units are electrically powered. This unit heats the water or oil circulating in the heater pipes.
On the other hand, integrated hydronic heater units are attached to the home boiler or furnace. Thus, based on the input method, these baseboard heaters can support different power sources.
Are hydronic baseboard heaters more efficient?
In a single word, ‘yes,’ hydronic heaters are more efficient than convection or standard heaters. The liquid transferring heat to the air generates a more evenly distributed thermal mass.
Also, the hydronic liquid retains heat for a longer duration, making the unit more efficient. In addition, you get a balanced heat output from these units.
All these reasons lead to hydronic baseboard heaters consuming less energy. Also, you don’t have to fret about dust circulating in the unit. These heaters consist of pipes that don’t need air moving in and out of the vents.
How many hydronic baseboard heaters do I need?
As mentioned earlier, you can install a 120 V or 240 V baseboard heater. Consider the power wattage before calculating the number of baseboard heaters for a space.
Different manufacturers offer wide power wattage models, ranging from 500W to 2000W. Accordingly, the size of the baseboard increases.
Follow these steps to calculate the required amount of wattage of baseboard heaters.
- Note your room’s area (in square feet)
- Multiply the value by 10
This way, you can estimate the required heater wattage. The multiplication factor will differ as per ceiling height and room construction.
Thus, you can buy the required number of hydronic baseboards based on the wattage. It is vital to approach the electrical contractor to install the heater in a restricted space, like maybe the basement.
Do hydronic baseboard heaters need plumbing?
Hydronic heaters have excellent heat retention qualities. In addition, they produce additional heat with optimum energy efficiency.
Thus, the installation of these hot water baseboard heaters has specific requirements. In a nutshell, a hydronic baseboard heater needs adequate plumbing during installation. Plumbing is crucial if you opt for an integrated hydronic baseboard heater.
Since the hydronic liquid generates electric heat, the unit works best with proper plumbing. Thus, you can combat cooler air with this setup efficiently.
Will hydronic baseboard heaters freeze?
In a word, hydronic baseboard heaters do not freeze in extreme temperatures. The heat transfer fluid in these units is non-toxic.
In addition, the fluid is contained in a packed set of pipes that transfer heat to the surrounding air. Hence, the impact of cold weather is non-existent in hydronic heating units.
Moreover, the liquid, i.e., water or oil, maintains consistency even below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. In rare cases, it can turn into a gel-like solution. However, freezing isn’t observed in this type of heater.
Are newer baseboard heaters more efficient?
Baseboard heaters convert electric energy into heat. On the other hand, hydronic baseboards utilize hot liquid like water or oil to heat the surrounding cool air. This working principle stays the same irrespective of the manufacturing date.
Newer baseboard heaters do not have anything unique compared with the old ones. Hence, in terms of efficiency, there is no significant difference.
However, if an older heater has dust, corroded pipes, or other contaminants, the energy efficiency will drop considerably. Thus, proper maintenance is the key to consistent heating efficiency.
Summing Up
Hydronic electric baseboard heaters offer more energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and comparatively healthier indoor air. On the other hand, standard or convection baseboard heaters are less expensive (initially) and need low maintenance. Also, they are compact than hydronic units.
If you have a reasonable budget, it is better to opt for hydronic units to save your energy bills in the long run. Apart from a high initial investment, you will need periodic expert maintenance. In terms of noise, both heaters are nearly the same.
Thus, it all depends on your preferences. So, be sure to buy a suitable electric baseboard, considering all the mentioned points.