Electric Baseboard Heater Installation: Time To Call Your Local Electrician

Fall is here (even though today we are seeing a high of 80 degrees in Philadelphia), which means winter isn’t too far away. If you are looking to get an electric baseboard heater installation for a supplemental heating source in your home, it’s time to call your licensed local electrician for installation. KB Electric LLC does many electric baseboard heater installations in the greater Philadelphia area, along with all cities and towns in Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Berks, and Delaware counties.

Baseboard heaters are great for a supplemental heat source because they run quietly, don’t require much space at all, and no ductwork is needed. Let’s take an in-depth look at the two popular choices for baseboard heaters, how each works, and why hiring an electrician for electric baseboard heater installation makes the most sense than doing the installation yourself. 

Types of Electric Baseboard Heaters

You have two options when it comes to the type of electric baseboard heater to install in your home: electric convection or hydronic. For either type, it’s important to note that electric baseboard heating systems work best in conjunction with your main heating system for rooms that are drafty or much cooler than other rooms.

Both convection and hydronic use electricity; however, both use electricity in two different ways. Both types are controlled by a thermostat on the wall of the room, or sometimes by a thermostat built into the heating unit itself. A licensed electrician can install both electric baseboard heaters and hydronic baseboard heaters, so it comes down to whichever one you prefer.

Electric Convection

Electric convection baseboard heaters, also known simply as electric baseboard heaters, run solely on electricity.  The baseboard heater is installed under a window, and heats the cool air falling from the window by convection.

Convection refers to when the cool air is drawn inside the bottom of the heater, and is then heated within the unit to be pushed out at the top of the heater into the room. With electric convection baseboard heaters, the cool air that is drawn into the heater is warmed by electric heating elements inside the heater’s pipes. 

Hydronic

Hydronic baseboard heaters also use the convection method and are installed typically under windows; however, they use electricity indirectly. Instead of electric heating elements warming the cool air like a convection heater, electric heating elements warm oil or water. The fluid then radiates heat, and pushes it upward into the room. 

Hire an Electrician for Electric Baseboard Heater Installation

Whether you go with the electric convection or the hydronic baseboard heater, it’s always best to hire a licensed electrician for electric baseboard heater installation. Here’s why:

• Installation of an electric baseboard heater requires hardwiring into your main electrical panel. Licensed electricians know how to hardwire many home appliances, so they already have the knowledge and expertise to do the installation properly.
• Electricians know the rules and regulations for the installation of electric baseboard heaters. Instead of browsing millions of Google search results for answers, let the professional who already knows the answers handle it.
• A licensed electrician already has the tools available for proper install.
• A licensed electrician knows the proper voltage and wiring needed to install a baseboard heater correctly to keep you and your family safe from potential electrical hazards.