Convection Vs Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heaters

These baseboard heaters employ hot water instead of electricity.

Convection vs hydronic electric baseboard heaters.

This is a hydronic heater so it s filled with liquid. After that we have an extensive list of important features to look for in a baseboard heater. With softheat the heating element is enclosed in a copper tube that s filled with a non toxic mineral oil. These wall units are designed to provide either supplemental heat or serve as the main source of heat.

While both may run on standard ac electrical current hydronic heaters use radiant heat while electric baseboard units are of the convection variety. Marley s hydronic baseboard heater is capable of producing 1 250 watts of heat and it needs a 220 volt electric circuit. The liquid might take longer to warm up than the regular electric heating elements but once it does it stays warm for a long period of time with minimal energy. Hydronic heaters will cost about four times more than the corresponding convection baseboard heater.

Rarely are they used as the only heat source except in some warmer climates where additional heat is rarely needed. In the first part of this article we ll go over a few differences between hydronic and standard electric baseboard heaters. The water is pumped from a boiler that keeps the water at a constant temperature. Hydronic baseboard heaters have the encased electric heating element completely submerged in water a heat transfer liquid that provides thermal mass.

Electric baseboard heaters provide an economical secondary heat source for primary hvac systems. Hydronic baseboard heaters like the fahrenheat plf1004 use a liquid heating element that keeps the surface of the unit cooler compared to conventional baseboard heaters. Luckily these features can be found on both kinds of heaters. A standard electric baseboard generates heat when electricity passes through a heating element.

Hydronic electric baseboard heaters vs standard. Hot water baseboard heaters are a more cost efficient alternative to electric baseboard heaters. Or they can act as the primary heat for peripheral spaces like cabins basements or additions. Measuring 46 inches long with 1 000 watts of power this baseboard heater is a reliable heat source.

If you are thinking about getting a hot water baseboard heater you should consider its pros and cons.