Baseboard Heater - Up to 300 sq. ft.

The baseboards heaters listed above cover up to 300 square feet, but different baseboard heating systems can cover a range of room sizes. The square footage estimate can be affected by things such as room insulation, number of windows, and ceiling height, but for most spaces, the coverage is accurate up to the measurement displayed.

A baseboard heater needs at least 12 inches of space in front and 6 inches on either side of the wall to ensure that air is freely filtered and no heat gets trapped.

To choose a proper baseboard heater for your space, you need to first calculate the wattage the heater needs to have. A simple equation for this is multiplying the room’s total square footage by 10. So, if your space is 300 square feet, the baseboard heater would need to have 3,000 watts or more. If the ceilings in the space are higher than 8 feet or if the walls have poor insulation, the wattage needed may vary, but the times 10 rule is a good baseline to begin with.

The main difference between 120V and 240V baseboard heaters is the amount of voltage the circuits they derive power from need to have. Most homes run on a 120-volt circuit, with 240-volt circuits used more for powering large appliances like dryers, water heaters, and HVAC systems. Electricians typically wire baseboard heating systems on 240-volt circuits if possible because they have the same wire type and size as 120-volt circuits but draw twice the amount of power. Wiring to a 120-volt circuit is the easier method if you’re installing a baseboard heater yourself, but if you’re unsure what kind of amp capacity you have in your home, consult with an electrician.

The two main types of thermostats that baseboard heaters can have are built-in thermostats or line voltage thermostats. Built-in thermostats can be either digital or dial. They cost less to install since they are part of the heater itself, but they can be less convenient and potentially read a space’s temperature inaccurately from their position close to the floor. Line voltage thermostats are separate from the baseboard heating unit, mounted on the wall and connected to the heater via power cable. Wall thermostats are the more convenient option due to their reachability and are more likely to get accurate temperature readings of a room. Check with the manufacturer or the product manual to ensure that the thermostat you purchase is compatible with your baseboard heater.

Baseboard heating has many benefits, including the following:

• They are virtually noise-free, unlike forced-air systems that blast air intermittently. They are common choices for spaces like bedrooms and home offices where little noise is desired.
• They have an easy, nondisruptive installation process, requiring no ductwork and little to no renovation.
• They provide a way to individually control the temperature of a room from a direct, concentrated heat source.
• The maintenance required is not demanding, consisting only of dusting the fins twice a year. If maintained well, baseboard heaters can last for over 20 years.

A 20-amp circuit can support any number of 120-volt baseboard heaters that have a total combined wattage of 2,400 watts or less. For 240-volt heaters, a 20-amp circuit can support up to 4,800 watts, or double the amount of baseboard heaters as 120-volt.

A 15-amp circuit can support any number of 120-volt baseboard heaters that have a total combined wattage of 1,440 watts or less. For 240-volt heaters, a 15-amp circuit can support up to 2,880 watts, or double the amount of baseboard heaters as 120-volt.