Everybody experiences these times in life when we look at our homes and think of a makeover. Whether you are planning to shift the positioning of your furniture, or you just brought in a couch. The question lies with the baseboard heaters. Will the new arrangement interfere with your home’s electric baseboard heater system? How far should furniture be from baseboard heaters? Baseboard heaters require at least 12 inches of space in front of them. Baseboard heaters are of two types: convection and hydronic. This space ensures an adequate flow of air in and out of the electric baseboard. Learn more about safety precautions for baseboard heaters and other advice.
How far should furniture be from baseboard heaters?
An electric baseboard or hydronic baseboard heater must have an unobstructed air intake to function correctly. Depending on the baseboard manufacturer, there are several clearance recommendations for baseboards. These are the general baseboard clearance recommendations.
Types of baseboard heaters
Knowing the types of baseboard heaters, there are in the market is crucial. It is essential in helping to make decisions about which baseboard is ideal for your home. Electric baseboard heaters are of two types: convection and hydronic. They are pretty similar on the outside. They both have the same outward-built, extended metal frames. The difference lies in the system they use to deliver heat.
Convection baseboard heaters
Convection baseboard heaters take in air heated up through the electrical metal fins. The heated air (lighter) rises into the room. Cooler air descends into the baseboard heater. The heat exchange cycle continues. (Hence the name; Convection). Convection heaters are usually hard-wired into the home electric circuit system.
Hydronic baseboard heaters
They are also known as hot water baseboard heaters. They use a medium or internal reservoir to radiate heat across the room. The internal reservoir in most hydronic baseboard heaters is usually water. Water passes through a pipe that is in contact with the radiator. The water heats to 180 degrees. Water then heats thin metal fins inside the radiator, dissipating heat across the room. Hydronic baseboard water heaters are hooked to a home’s central boiler to aid the hot water supply. A hydronic baseboard system uses a variety of energy sources to obtain heat. Apart from electric energy, they can also use solar energy and geothermal heat pumps.
What is the location of baseboard heaters?
The word “baseboards” tells you they are located at the house’s base. It comes from the principle they use to dissipate heat into the room. They sit in the room just like the usual wooden baseboard mould. It is ideal for planning out furniture and other house stuff by positioning your electric baseboard. When house setting, ensure the closest coach, stool, or flower vase are perpendicular to the electric baseboard. This will ensure that you have an ideal space upon which the baseboard can function optimally. Depending on the location of the baseboard heater, here are common scenarios and quick tips on how to go about them.
Door
At times, electric baseboards (those placed near the house’s entryway) can be in the way of the door. When the door is fully open, they tend to come closer to the electric baseboard heater. (Less than 12 inches) The drastic measure to take here is to shift the baseboard heater to an ideal position. You can also choose to use a shorter version of the electric baseboard heater. If the latter provides less heat, think of using two short baseboard heaters rather than the previous longer baseboard heaters. This mishap can be avoided when a proper arrangement is made before baseboard heater installation.
Drape
How low should your drapes be dangling next to the baseboard heater? Twelve inches is ideal. A minimum of 6 inches. This space will ensure that you are following baseboard heater safety. Most drapes are made of materials that could easily catch fire. Play with the length of the drape and strike a balance between a lovely home and hazard-free. Here are two ideal scenarios.
Long drapery. (To the floor)
- One inch is suitable for the distance between the ceiling and the drapery.
- 2-inch (Minimum) distance between the nearest drapery fold and the heater front.
- 1-inch space between the floor and the drapery ends (Drape’s bottom).
Shorter drapery. (Leaves considerable space amount between heater top and the drape)
- One inch is ideal for the distance between the ceiling and the drapery.
- 6- inch (minimum) distance between the heater top and the drapery ends.
Console tables
When placing a console table over baseboard heater(s), the trick lies in the spacing and the type of console table used. Usually, going for a custom console table sorts the purpose. Get the measurements right. The position between the baseboard heater front and the bottom of the console table should at least be 6 inches. In most cases, the back legs of the console tables are usually in the way of the electric baseboard heater. To avoid this, ensure the console table is long enough so that the heater is just about in the middle (under) the legs of the console table. Hanging console tables are also a good choice. The only con to hanging console tables is the weight they carry. They have the maximum weight that they can hold. (10 pounds to 200 pounds)
How far should furniture be from baseboard heaters: Tips
Save that energy
- A heating system’s goal is to create a comfortable room environment. However, the financial costs are not to be overlooked. Baseboard heaters take up a lot of voltage. A 240-volt baseboard model is more energy efficient than a 120-volt model.
- Consider combining your heating system with the central boiler system (if you have it already installed). This will save the hassle of using more wattage for both systems. Instead, the boiler provides hot water to heat a hot water hydronic baseboard heater.
- Seal potential parts within the house that may enable heated air to escape outside the room.
Use a zoning system
Instead of having multiple Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HAVC) systems, you can choose to control each zone of your home. This is achieved through having more than one thermostat. Firstly. Identify the heating needs of each home. Note that the needs tend to change depending on the room type, time of the day, the house’s location, and season.
Room type
Different rooms require different amounts of heat to fully heat a room to its desired temperature. For instance, basements will require you to set the thermostat 2 degrees higher than standard rooms. Basements are usually colder than other rooms. A room with a ceiling and one without will have different heating durations.
Time of the day
Depending on the weather, the house’s location, and the time of the day, heating requirements tend to change. In some areas, nights tend to be colder than daytime and vice versa. According to The Global Climate Report (2022), there has been a temperature increase in Europe, Norway, Africa, Asia, and Japan. Knowing so enables you to readjust the thermostat to ensure optimum functionality.
Heating requirements
Each homestead has different heating requirements. An ideal heating system sufficiently supplies heat energy within the stipulated duration. Get to know the amount of heat required per square room. This will help you to understand if your electric baseboard heater matches your room’s heating requirements.
Combustibles
Following the manufacturer’s clearance requirements for whatever height you install a baseboard heater is crucial. Place away combustible materials to prevent potential fire hazards. A minimum of 12-inches is to be maintained between electric baseboards and any immediate material.
Cleaning
Generally, consider cleaning your baseboard heater twice a year. Remove the front cover. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the stuck dirt from the fins. You can use the chance to inspect the fins to ensure they are in proper condition. If you are a pet owner, consider cleaning your baseboard heater more regularly. Fur from pets tends to get stuck in the heater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put furniture over baseboard heaters?
Yes. You can put furniture over baseboard heaters. Console tables and other furniture types that have to be over the baseboard heaters need at least 12 inches between the baseboard heater top and the furniture base.
How far should a couch be from a baseboard heater?
A couch should be at least 12 inches from the front of the baseboard heaters. (Standard clearance). For fan baseboard heaters, 36 inches is ideal. Fan baseboard heaters tend to radiate more heat than electric baseboard heaters.
Is it safe to put things against baseboard heaters?
Putting things against baseboard heaters is against baseboard heater safety. Putting things against baseboard heaters can cause fire outbreaks, especially if those things are combustible.
Is it OK for curtains to touch hot water baseboard heaters?
Curtains should not touch hot water baseboard heaters. According to the general standard baseboard requirements, there should be at least a 2-inch distance between the hot water baseboard front and the curtain. For shorter curtains, at least 6 inches between the hot water baseboard’s top surface and the curtain’s end.
Conclusion
In case of any doubts, check the manual that came with the baseboard heater. The thin line between the safety of your home and proper usage of the baseboard heater is how far a piece of furniture is from the baseboard heater. Always follow the clearance recommendation of your baseboard heater. Following these recommendations not only prevents a fire hazard but also elongates the lifespan of your heating appliance. It also ensures the proper functioning of a baseboard heater.
