Convection Vs Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heaters

These baseboard heaters employ hot water instead of electricity.

Convection vs hydronic electric baseboard heaters.

Electric baseboard heaters provide an economical secondary heat source for primary hvac systems. A standard electric baseboard generates heat when electricity passes through a heating element. This is a hydronic heater so it s filled with liquid. 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.

The water is pumped from a boiler that keeps the water at a constant temperature. The element spreads heat to the surrounding air through metal fins attached to the element. Or they can act as the primary heat for peripheral spaces like cabins basements or additions. Hydronic heaters will cost about four times more than the corresponding convection baseboard heater.

Hydronic baseboard heating systems are more efficient than other forms of electric resistance heating such as traditional baseboard convection heaters. If you are thinking about getting a hot water baseboard heater you should consider its pros and cons. Hydronic electric baseboard heaters vs standard. Hot water baseboard heaters are a more cost efficient alternative to electric baseboard heaters.

Measuring 46 inches long with 1 000 watts of power this baseboard heater is a reliable heat source. 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. Convection heater the greatest advantage of convection baseboard heaters is the low purchase cost.

In the first part of this article we ll go over a few differences between hydronic and standard electric baseboard heaters. While both may run on standard ac electrical current hydronic heaters use radiant heat while electric baseboard units are of the convection variety. Rarely are they used as the only heat source except in some warmer climates where additional heat is rarely needed. Luckily these features can be found on both kinds of heaters.

Hydronic baseboard heaters have the encased electric heating element completely submerged in water a heat transfer liquid that provides thermal mass.