Convection Vs Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heaters

These baseboard heaters employ hot water instead of electricity.

Convection vs hydronic electric baseboard heaters.

Hydronic baseboard heating systems are more efficient than other forms of electric resistance heating such as traditional baseboard convection heaters. 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. Rarely are they used as the only heat source except in some warmer climates where additional heat is rarely needed. Hydronic baseboard heaters have the encased electric heating element completely submerged in water a heat transfer liquid that provides thermal mass.

A standard electric baseboard generates heat when electricity passes through a heating element. Hydronic electric baseboard heaters vs standard. Or they can act as the primary heat for peripheral spaces like cabins basements or additions. Hot water baseboard heaters are a more cost efficient alternative to electric baseboard heaters.

The element spreads heat to the surrounding air through metal fins attached to the element. After that we have an extensive list of important features to look for in a baseboard heater. Hydronic heaters will cost about four times more than the corresponding convection baseboard heater. With softheat the heating element is enclosed in a copper tube that s filled with a non toxic mineral oil.

The liquid might take longer to warm up than the regular electric heating elements but once it does it stays warm for a long period of time with minimal energy. While both may run on standard ac electrical current hydronic heaters use radiant heat while electric baseboard units are of the convection variety. This is a hydronic heater so it s filled with liquid. Convection heater the greatest advantage of convection baseboard heaters is the low purchase cost.

If you are thinking about getting a hot water baseboard heater you should consider its pros and cons. In the first part of this article we ll go over a few differences between hydronic and standard electric baseboard heaters. Luckily these features can be found on both kinds of heaters. Marley s hydronic baseboard heater is capable of producing 1 250 watts of heat and it needs a 220 volt electric circuit.

These wall units are designed to provide either supplemental heat or serve as the main source of heat.