Baseboard Heater - Up to 100 sq. ft.

Different baseboard heaters can cover a variety of different room sizes. The baseboards heaters listed above cover up to 100 square feet. This estimate can be affected by things such as room insulation, number of windows, and ceiling height, but for most standard spaces, the amount of coverage is accurate to the one displayed.

It depends on the length of the heater, but the general rule of thumb is to leave 12 inches of space in front of the heater and an extra 6 inches on either side to allow air filtering and prevent heat trapping.

To correctly size an electric baseboard heater for your space, you need to calculate the required wattage for the heater. A simple equation for that is multiplying the room’s total square footage by 10. So, for a 100 square foot room, the baseboard heater would need 1,000 watts. If the ceilings are higher than 8 feet or the house is poorly insulated, slightly more wattage might be needed, but for standard installations, the times 10 rule is a sure method.

The difference between a 120V and a 240V baseboard heater is the voltage of the circuit required for them to derive power from. 120-volt circuits are most common in homes, while 240-volt circuits power large appliances like dryers, water heaters, and HVAC systems. When installing baseboard heaters, electricians tend to use the 240V circuit as it has the same wire type and size as the 120V but allows for twice the power and efficiency. However, if you’re installing your baseboard heater yourself, the 120-volt circuit is the easier method. Consult with an electrician if you’re unsure what kind of circuit you have in your home.

Electric baseboard heaters typically have either built-in thermostats or wall thermostats. Digital or dial built-in thermostats save on installation costs but are less convenient and may not get accurate temperature readings from their position near the floor. Most 120-volt and 240-volt baseboard heaters have line voltage thermostats that are installed on the wall and control the power going to the heater through a cable. If you have the installation capabilities, line voltage thermostats are the preferable option. Make sure to verify with the manufacturer or product manual to ensure thermostat compatibility with whatever baseboard heating system you choose.

If the heaters are 120-volt, a 20-amp circuit can support a total of 2,400 watts. So, you could have any combination of baseboard heaters that have a combined wattage of 2,400 or less on one circuit. For 240-volt heaters, a 20-amp circuit can support a total of 4,800 watts, or double the amount of 120-volt heaters.

If you’re installing 120-volt baseboard heaters, a 15-amp circuit can support a total of 1,440 watts, meaning any combination of baseboard heaters that have a total wattage of 1,440 or less can run on the same circuit. For 240-volt heaters, a 15-amp circuit has a wattage capacity of 2,880 watts, meaning that you can run twice as many 240V heaters as 120V.