Baseboard heaters are one of the efficient ways to heat your home. They are small in size, quiet in operation, and easy to install.
But while considering it as a heating solution for your sweet home, the safety concern comes to mind. So, the most asked question is, are baseboard heaters safe? What’s the standard of baseboard heater safety?
If you’re hunting for baseboard heater safety, don’t worry. You come to the right place. In today’s article, we will answer all questions about baseboard heater safety. Additionally, our baseboard heater safety tips will help you to take all precautions.
Hopefully, all tips will help you to reduce the risk and maintain high safety standards. Let’s dig deeper into everything you need to know about baseboard heater safety.
Contents
What Are Baseboard Heaters?
It’s a zone heating system to create and control the room temperature of your home. There are no heating ducts involved in its heat distribution. That reduces the use of ducts in your sweet home.
Besides, no blower means less dirt or the allergen blown around. What’s more, you don’t hear the sound of the air through the ducts, but still, get a gentle heat.
When it comes to safety, baseboard heaters are considered as safe. Simply, some tips you need to follow to step up safety. Before going into safety tips, let’s take a short look at how baseboard heaters work?
How Baseboard Heaters Work?
How do baseboard heaters work? It works within the convection current. This process uses the energy movement from one place to another.
First, it puts cold air into the baseboard with a vent. Next, the air is warmed by the heating element with electricity.
Then the hot air comes out to increase the temperature of the house. This heating process with convection current repeats itself continuously.
There are two types of baseboard heaters- Electric and hydronic. However, safety precautions are the same for both heating systems. Below, we will discuss in detail the safety tips for baseboard heaters.
Baseboard Heater Safety Tips
Are baseboard heaters safe? Yes, baseboard heaters are considered safe. They require some steps to reduce the risk of safety.
These safety tips for baseboard heaters are-
1. Don’t Block The Airflow
Baseboard heats the cold air into the heater and heated coils will warm the air. Once heated, the warm air will rise on the top of the unit. Then it attracts cold air into the heater from home. This heating process will repeat itself regularly. To function properly, it’s basic that nothing is blocking the airflow. Furniture should be placed at least six inches away from the baseboard heaters.
2. Prevention Of Fire Hazard
Furniture close to the heater isn’t only for flow but also a possible fire hazard. Potentially, if the furniture or object is flammable under the heat. That’s why ensure that nothing can close to touch the baseboard heater.
3. One Thermostat Control
One thermostat is safe to control the unit even if you have multiple heaters. It causes a difference in temperature to the unit, still better than multiple ones. Many thermostats influenced by the heat and switching on/off surprisingly.
4. Keep Away The Kids
It’s important to keep your kids away from the baseboard heaters. Directly touching the heater can cause serious burns. Also, ensure that they don’t put their toys inside the heater. Any object that comes into contact with the heater is a fire hazard. If your kids are old to observe, then tell them how heaters work and safety tips.
5. Safe Unit Installation
There are some things you need to consider when installing a baseboard heater. As we mention, installing the heaters away from any objects is important. The rule of thumb is to keep at least a 6-inch distance from heaters to furniture. It’s important to take professional help to ensure safe installation.
6. Vacuum Once Occasion
The baseboard heater has a dust burn odor after odd use. Vacuum once occasion can easily eliminate this problem. Although the dust doesn’t cause a safety issue, it’s still better to remove them from the heater.
What are the risks factors of baseboard heaters?
Many users have safety concerns about the baseboard heaters. We’ve talked about safety tips and now go through with safety risks. The risks factors of baseboard heaters are-
Risk of Fire
Everything will go fine till you carry-on the 6-inch rule. It means always allowing the distance between the heater and the other.
However, the rule is a theory and life isn’t all about theory. Extremely hot heaters in your home are always a risk of fire.
Risk of Burns
Baseboard heaters were installed into the low ground. They can reach 150° or more when they run. It will be dangerous for the children if they can touch it. Even adults can accidentally touch their leg while walking by it.
Risk of Ugliness
Baseboard heaters are popular for their comfortable heating operation. Still, interior designers have spent so many hours trying to hide them. Even, some don’t want to deal with the ugly baseboard heaters at all.
Pros and Cons of Baseboard Heaters
Below, we will pinpoint baseboard heater pros and cons.
Pros of Baseboard Heaters
The major benefits of baseboard heaters are-
- Quiet Operation.
- Zone Heating.
- Simple Installation.
- Easy Cleaning.
Cons of Baseboard Heaters
There are some cons to the baseboard heating system. What’s that? Let’s take a look at baseboard heating cons-
- Inexpensive to Install but Costly to Run.
- Efficient Heat when Clean Regularly.
- Continuously Monitor to Ensure Safety.
- Any Objects Need to Keep Away.
When analyzing baseboard heating pros and cons, the baseboard heaters will win an award for heating solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can baseboard heaters cause fires?
Is it OK to put furniture in front of the baseboard heater?
Are baseboard heaters safe for babies?
Final Thought
Are baseboard heaters safe? Yes, they are considered a safe heating solution for the home. We talked about all you need to know about baseboard heater safety. Pay attention to baseboard heater safety tips to ensure the safe operation of the units. Lastly, baseboard heaters are a safe heating system for the home. Happy Home Heating!
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