Are Baseboard Heaters A Fire Hazard?

Even though baseboard heaters are no longer the most popular sort of heating system, they can still be ideal for particular situations if kept in good condition. But as far as baseboard heaters are concerned, the first thing that comes to mind is their risk of being a fire hazard. So we gathered information about the subject, and here is what we found. 

There is a risk of fire even though baseboard heaters are generally thought to be quite safe, and the likelihood of a fire occurring is minimal if overused.

Hang tight as we cover some safety tips for handling baseboard heaters that might help you. We'll also discuss the different types of baseboard heaters and the benefits and drawbacks of having one. Additionally, we'll tackle common problems you might encounter and how to fix them. So, read on!

Heating grid with ventilation by the floor in hardwood flooring. - Are Baseboard Heaters A Fire Hazard?

What Are Safety Tips For Using Baseboard Heaters?

Some baseboard heating vents and a blue floor

Here are some precautions to take and maintenance advice to keep your heater working as efficiently as possible.

Keep the Airflow Clear

A baseboard heater draws cold air into the heater, where it is heated by electrically heated coils. Once heated, the air rises to the top of the heater where it draws cooler air from the surrounding space, repeating the cycle.

You shouldn't place anything in front of the heater to obstruct that air movement for the heater to operate as intended. The minimum distance between any furniture and your baseboard heater should be 6 inches.

Consider Object Positioning

In addition to obstructing airflow, placing items too close to baseboard heaters could also pose a fire risk if they are flammable under certain conditions. Make sure the curtains aren't too close to touching if they hang next to or over your heater.

Thermostat Management

Your heaters should be controlled by a single thermostat only. A single thermostat is still the safer choice, even if you want to place many baseboard heaters in the same room at various locations.

Even though this may cause certain units to turn on or off at slightly different temperatures, it's still preferable to many thermostats that are affected by the heat from other nearby heaters and change on and off randomly.

Maintain A Single Setting On The Thermostat

You might be tempted to raise the thermostat to a high setting to heat your room more quickly because baseboard heaters do take longer to heat an area.

In actuality, increasing the heater's temperature won't cause a room to heat up any quicker than if it were at a lower level.

Take Extra Care Around Children

Any source of heat, including baseboard heaters, can be dangerous for kids. Don't allow children near these heaters since contacting some of the elements directly can result in severe burns.

Furthermore, you should take extra precautions to prevent small children from putting toys or other items inside the heater. The units are fire hazards if there are any foreign objects inside that make contact with the heating element.

Additionally, if your kids are old enough to comprehend, teach them how baseboard heaters operate, explain their risks, and how to stay safe around them.

Vacuum Regularly

It's crucial to regularly vacuum your heaters to eliminate accumulated dust and debris, even if dust buildup in your heating unit won't always pose a safety risk.

When baseboard heaters are initially turned on at the start of colder weather, they frequently have a burnt dust smell. This odor issue can be resolved with the use of vacuuming.

What Are The Types Of Baseboard Heaters?

Timer operated electric convector heater closeup

Baseboard heaters come in two varieties: convection and hydronic. 

Convection Type

Baseboard heaters using convection technology extract cool air that gathers near the floor, warm it over metal fins that have been heated by electricity, and then allow the heated air to rise back into the room through the convection process.

The most typical type of heater is convection, and these units are typically connected to a house's electrical system.

Nevertheless, certain affordable devices can be connected to a regular electrical socket. Convection baseboard heaters come in a range of sizes and heat outputs.

One major drawback of this type of baseboard heater is that after the thermostat turns on, convection baseboard heaters don't stay warm for very long.

Unlike hydronic heaters, which can effectively be fueled by a central heating boiler, this type of heater is also powered solely by electricity.

Hydronic Type

Using an internal reservoir of heated fluid, hydronic baseboard heaters distribute radiant heat throughout the room. They can be standalone units with an electric heater heating a fluid reservoir inside of them, or they can heat water using a house's central heating boiler.

In all scenarios, hydronic baseboard heaters use less energy than convection baseboard heaters. They do not need a constant source of energy to maintain the required heat level because the fluid reservoir remains heated long after the heater has shut off.

The fact that hydronic systems take longer to heat up and achieve the desired temperature than electric coil convection systems is one drawback. Their longer-lasting heat is their principal benefit.

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Baseboard Heaters?

To help you decide whether to go for baseboard heating, here are some advantages and disadvantages of having one: 

Pros

Some advantages of baseboard heaters include the following:

  • The user can select which rooms should be heated thanks to the zoned system.
  • Families can stay in their rooms at various degrees thanks to the heaters.
  • They are affordable and simple to install.
  • The installation doesn't require ducts, making them suitable for both new and existing homes.
  • This heating system makes no noise when it operates.
  • These heaters last a long time and are simple to clean.
  • Some kinds of smart thermostats put on the walls of a house can work with them. This addition would assist in limiting usage and only heating specific portions of the house when necessary.

Cons

  • Baseboard heaters can be a burn hazard, especially for households with young children because of how hot they can get.
  • They must be at least an inch off the ground and unobstructed by furniture or other combustible materials.
  • Large, drafty, or ineffectively sealed dwellings cannot be heated effectively or affordably using baseboard heaters.
  • Since they lack built-in fans, these heaters are not intended to move air. Thus, this might not be the best choice if you need to heat a wide space and want the warm air to circulate.
  • If the baseboard heater uses electricity, the cost may be high because the electricity usage may increase.

What Are The Most Common Problems You Might Encounter With Baseboard Heaters?

We've compiled a list of common problems you might encounter when using baseboard heaters. Here are some of them:

Circuit Breaker Tripping Instantly

Electrical Circuit Breaker Panel

If this happens, there is a short somewhere in the system. Fuse replacement in the breaker box might be able to resolve this problem.

A new circuit breaker or replacement wire, however, might be required. Calling a technician to check these sections of your machine is safer than handling electrical components yourself.

Heater Stops After A While Without Tripping The Breaker

You might have a faulty thermostat if your baseboard heater operates for a time before turning off without tripping the circuit. Try it out by raising the temperature.

If there are any issues with the wiring or operation of your thermostat, you will need to replace it.

Heater Won't Turn On

Check the area around your baseboard heaters if they aren't producing heat. Make sure no furniture or draperies block the vents. Make sure the heat is on and set to the appropriate degree by checking the thermostat.

Remove any furniture or kid's toys from the vents. After a few minutes, if your heater is still not producing heat, check the electrical system. Baseboard heaters frequently experience breakers that trip.

Additionally, check the heater's internal valves. Without sufficient lubrication, valves may corrode and bind together, blocking the passage of heat into the space.

Heater Won't Turn Off

Valve and hand

A broken thermostat will cause a baseboard heater to run constantly. Having a broken thermostat could cause your energy costs to go up. To save money on energy bills, replacing your thermostat is the best option.

Make sure that you set the thermostat to the appropriate temperature. Wait for the baseboard heater to turn off before lowering the temperature. If the heat doesn't go away, your thermostat may have a clogged contact.

Burning Odor

You might smell something burning when the baseboard heater generates heat. Burning lubricant or dust buildup on the vents frequently causes this odor.

Turn off your baseboard heater if you notice a bad odor while it is operating. Wait for the heater to cool before using a moist cloth to clean the vents. In case the odor continues, turn the heater back on and make a service call.

In Conclusion

Empty house interior with new hardwood floor

Although baseboard heating is generally safe, you must take safety measures to protect children, animals, and property. 

If you enjoyed this post, you can go check out these other articles: 

How Hot Do Baseboard Heaters Get?

Are Convection Heaters Better Than Baseboard Heaters?

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