Temperature control accounts for a large portion of every homeowner’s energy expenses throughout the year, especially if their home is equipped with electric baseboard heaters instead of a gas-powered furnace. While it is important to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, this can be done without incurring significant costs. As a leading team of commercial, agricultural, and residential electrical contractors, BNR Electric knows how important energy efficiency is for every home. That is why we have compiled a list of 4 tips to increase electric baseboard heater efficiency, allowing you to maintain a comfortable home while reducing energy costs.
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4 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR ELECTRIC BASEBOARD HEATER COSTS
The following tips will help you reduce the costs associated with electric baseboard heaters:
1. DO NOT HEAT AN EMPTY ROOM
While electric baseboard heaters are great for keeping a room warm, it is important to ensure that they are not heating an empty room. If you will be leaving a room for a prolonged period, be sure to turn the heater off as it will otherwise be wasting energy and increasing your energy costs for no reason. A good practice is to turn the heater on when you enter a room and turn it off as soon as you leave.
2. REDUCE WINDOW DRAFTS
Baseboard heaters are typically located beneath windows to counteract the cold and dense air near them. If your windows are letting in an excessive amount of cold air, your heaters will need to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. To reduce window drafts, invest in quality draft proofing, window film, blinds, and curtains. In some cases, you may need to replace cheap and thin windows with thicker, well-insulated products.
3. CHECK YOUR TEMPERATURE SETTINGS
While it may be tempting to adjust your thermostat to a high setting if a room is cold, temperatures around 18°C are comfortable for most activities and external weather conditions. Check your thermostat settings to see if it is higher than this temperature. If it is, you are likely spending more than you need to when heating your home.
4. KEEP EACH HEATER CLEAN
Most electric baseboard heaters have an electrical heating element inside a metal pipe that generates heat when powered on. Dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate on your heater or inside the unit, keeping heat from being distributed evenly in your space. To ensure optimal performance, your heaters should be thoroughly cleaned at least 2 to 3 times per year.
To learn more about energy efficiency or to inquire about our electrical services, get in touch with the professionals at BNR Electric. We can be reached through our online contact form or by phone at 778-704-0312 and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services or the details of your project.