Stupid old base board heaters

[Haynie]

Well, winter is coming. Still in the 60s here but that is going to change sooner as opposed to later. So, I tested the base board heaters. All we have is electric base boards in the house to supplement the cold rooms. Main heat is a pellet stove but parts of the house don't get that heat. No big deal because, unless someone is visiting those rooms are closed off and no heat is no problem. Anyway I fired two of them up and was greeted with smoke from the on/off switch. Considering they are probably 30 years old it is time to update.

Since this is the nicest forum on the net I thought I would ask folks who have base boards what they would recommend replacing them with. The rooms are 10/12 and share a small bathroom. I have no idea what size I would need.

Been reading about hydronic base boards but they seem expensive.

 

[Deadhead]

Last week there was a thread about heating, and one of the members had posted the link below. I was looking into it, but decided to go with natural gas.

Electric Wall Heaters | Electric Radiant Heaters | Radiant Systems Inc | Radiant Systems

 

[LouF]

In California most heat with Natural Gas way cheaper over here I have two furnaces in the Attic they keep everything cozy along with a wood burning Fireplace.

 

[StephenM]

If they're only used occasionally, get something small and wall mounted: Aura Electric Wall Panel/Portable Convection Heater| Aura Convection Heater

 

[Russianwolf]

pretty sure Lowes or HD will have replacement switches for them. There really isn't anything to break in the heaters themselves.

 

[Haynie]

These are old. I have called around for switches. One guy in the nearest place you could call a large town told me I had 1970s death traps in my house. Super inefficient and never meant to be used as long as mine have been used. I am sure technology has improved the efficiency of these things.

We don't have natural gas here. The whole town is either electric or propane. It is cheaper here to go with electric or some type of wood source.

Deadhead, can you point me to that thread please?

 

[Deadhead]

Here you go.
Electric Wall Heaters | Electric Radiant Heaters | Radiant Systems Inc | Radiant Systems

 

[Deadhead]

Here is the original thread that this was posted on.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f30/heating-115311/

 

[dogcatcher]

We have 2 of the oil filled heaters for heat in the bedrooms of the ranch cabin that are not heated. Like you they are only used for company, they can be a killer on the electric bill, but they are rarely used more than a few weekends a year. They look like old radiators, are safe around children and have all of the safety features. It beats the piped in propane space heaters.

 

[Haynie]

I am now totally intrigued by these radiant heaters. They hang out at roof level where you don't want the heat, which means the floor stays colder, where you really want the heat. Am I wrong?

 

[Lucky2]

We have the electric baseboard heaters, and if something happens to one of them I replace it with a similar heater. If your not sure of what size you need for the amount of square footage per room, generally all you need to do is ask an electrician.
Len

 

[Deadhead]

I am now totally intrigued by these radiant heaters. They hang out at roof level where you don't want the heat, which means the floor stays colder, where you really want the heat. Am I wrong?

The guy you need to talk to is Doug (alankulwiki7); he has them in his garage. Remember they're radiant heat, like the sun, but talk to him he has them and loves them.