Baseboard Heaters: Types | Safely Installation-Maintenance

One of kind the baseboard heaters are built in with electrical-powered design. Electric baseboard heaters can help you to get warm in the winter. As well as we know, when winter comes then we must to keep our body be warm. And this is so important especially for people who spend a lot time at home such as older people and baby or small children. Today, there are a lot of choices to heating the air, but why you should choose and install baseboard heaters? Moreover, how to give the proper maintenance safely? Let’s explore more this issue, especially about pieces of helpful information for the installation and maintenance!

As the name suggests, they are supported & powered by electric energy.  The working principal of an electric baseboard heater is similar with other regular space heaters, but there are some different working principles. As well we know there are 3 different ways to distribute the heat energy; radiant, conduction & convection. And they heat and warm up the air with the convection method! And therefore, they will work relatively noiseless. This is the key why there are a lot of people choose them to be used and installed in the rooms that need calmness, like office room, bedroom, and so on. Like mentioned before, there are several types of them to choose from!

Types of baseboard heaters

1. Based on the fuel, there are 2 major different types; electric and gas models.
2. Next are units for commercial purposes. This type is usually gas model.
3. The other type is designed to be moved easier or usually familiar called as portable units.
4. Then units for residential use. This type is usually smaller in power heating capacity than the size of commercial baseboard heaters. Residential units can be electric model or gas model.
5. The last is hydronic system that can work more powerful, even can be used to heat the entire house. It is also great idea for anti-freeze solution. But you need more money for the up-front costs for the first installation of this type.
6. Etc.

Safety checklists for the installation & maintenance

The following are some helpful & safely checklists on how to install-operate- and -maintain baseboard heaters safely (especially for direct-vent gas units):

1. First, always keep in mind that improper adjustment, maintenance and installation can cause serious risks, like property damage, injury and even loss of life.
2. Avoid installing the unit in the recreational vehicle, especially for direct-vent baseboard heaters.
3. If there is a gas leak, don’t ever try to utilize a match flame, candle or other sources that can ignite the fire. But only involve a liquid detergent or soapy water to detect any gas leaks!
4. Choose the location for the installation that far away from foot traffic otherwise the high temperature of the heater when running can lead to a serious fatal accident to anyone who accidentally touches the unit. And locate the unit as centrally as possible in the room or area that will be heated in order to encourage the better efficiency performance of the heating system.
5. After installing the unit, check once again and make sure all components are properly installed.
6. Avoid placing any flammable materials (or any objects that can to burn easily) to close to your baseboard heater!
7. Especially for direct-vent gas unit, without a proper burner sight glass, don’t ever try to turn on the unit!
8. Don’t ever try to connect a direct-vent gas unit to a chimney flue! And shut off the gas supply immediately if you find the rising water that accidentally enters to the unit. And if you want to use a programmable thermostat, it is much better to only use a wireless thermostat for better safety.
9. For the installation in the garage, make sure the unit is protected and positioned properly so thus it will not be a subject to damage by an accidentally moving of your vehicles! Moreover, avoid opening or closing containers of gasoline, paint and other liquid materials presenting flammable vapors to be used or stored in the same location as your heater!
10. If you in doubt to install the unit on your own, you must choose to hire a qualified & professional installer to make sure the unit is well installed.

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