Why You Should Choose Hot Water Baseboard Heat vs Forced Air Heat
“What’s the best way to heat my home?”
Americans spend billions of dollars each year trying to answer this question. And it’s an important question to answer, with heating costs making up the largest part of the average household’s energy bill.
For some individuals, especially those in older homes, the choice boils down to hot water baseboard heat vs forced air heat.
Choosing a forced-air central heating system during a remodel or new construction is the typical solution for many homeowners. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best one for your home.
Baseboard heating can seem outdated and underwhelming at first glance, but there’s more than meets the eye.
See why baseboard heating can be the secret ingredient for your home’s warmth and comfort.
Efficiency Is the Standard, Not the Exception
Energy efficiency gets more and more important as the years go by. Aka, any system that wastes energy is out of the question for your home.
Have you considered zone heating? This special heating method warms the rooms you’re currently using while keeping the others at a lower temperature. Therefore, you’re naturally going to expend less energy versus keeping your entire home the same temperature.
Baseboard heating, infrared heaters, and electric fireplace heating—like these models from our sister company, Electric Fireplaces Direct—are some of the best units out there for zone heating. According to the US Department of Energy, choosing zone heating can save up to 20% on your heating bill compared to centralized, forced-air methods.
Ready to learn more about baseboard heating? Here’s what you need to know.
Skip the Cumbersome Cleaning Routine
Cleaning your home is one of those chores you’d rather live without. But if you have central heating, that means another chore on your to-do list. And be prepared to pay hundreds of dollars if you opt for professional cleaning or annual inspections.
Avoid costly cleaning and tedious upkeep altogether with a baseboard heating system.
Hot water baseboard heating runs via a central loop that’s enclosed inside the unit, meaning there’s no extensive cleaning required. An enclosed design also prevents dirt, dander, allergens, and other irritants from circulating as with a central air system, plus you’ll never have to change any filters.
A simple vacuuming every now and then is all it takes to keep things tidy with baseboard heat.
Get Decades of Heat Without the Hassle
You expect your home to withstand the test of time. But according to EPA’s Energy Star Program, central heating is out of date after 10-15 years. Compare that to your oven, another important heating source, which uses a fraction of the heat but can last up to twice as long.
Baseboard heaters last around 20 years on average, but with the right amount of maintenance and general upkeep, they can last even longer. All you need to do is bleed (release built-up air) the pipes every so often.
To get started, simply:
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Locate the bleed valve on your heater unit
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Place a towel directly under the valve
- Turn the valve counterclockwise to open it
After the valve has been opened, you’ll start hearing a hissing sound. That’s the air escaping from the unit. Once the hissing stops and you start seeing water coming out, close the valve to complete the process.
With such a straightforward maintenance process, it’s easy to see why baseboard heaters are a signature feature of many older homes.
Want to go a step further? Fend off rust, wear, and the signs of aging with a Baseboarders® heater cover.
Safety Always Comes First
Hydronic baseboard heating is one of the safest heating options on the market. No natural gas is involved and the heating source inside the unit is low temperature.
That means there’s minimal risk for:
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Fires
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Burns
- Carbon monoxide
But for the best airflow, keep furniture, curtains, and other objects at least 18 inches away from the baseboard heating unit.
Baseboard heating has long-lasting perks that are perfect for every home. Check out our blog for the full list of perks that come with baseboard heating.