What About Radiant Baseboard Heating?

Electric baseboard heaters

baseboard heating in the homeBaseboard heaters heat the room by using a process call electric resistance. Inside baseboard heaters are electric cables, and these warm the air that passes around them

While the hot air is dispensed from the top of the heater, it is also drawing cold air into the bottom. The heater will continue this process until the air entering the bottom of the heater is the same as the temperature set on the thermostat.

Although they are by no means the most effective form of heating, baseboard heaters do have their advantages, namely that they require little space, need no ductwork and the initial cost is relatively low.

Case study about electric baseboard heating system

The study was designed to compare a Glassheat electric radiant heating system with a comparable electric baseboard heating system. Under control conditions (as documented in the report) the Glassheat heating system was found to be much more energy efficient than the electric baseboard heating system. In addition, the Glassheat system provided more uniform heat distribution throughout the study areas than did the electric baseboard system.

A summary of results from the observations obtained during the study is provided below:

  1. Glassheat heating reduced the average heating cycle time from 54% to 68% when compared to electric baseboard heating.
  2. Glassheat reduced the watts used per day from 11% to 61% when compared to electric baseboard heat.
  3. In general, the smaller the room area the more energy efficient the Glassheat heating system when compared to electric baseboard heat.
  4. With Glassheat heating the heat distribution was about 31% better (more uniform) than with electric baseboard heat.
  5. There was less extreme variation in room temperatures from ceiling to floor with Glassheat than with electric baseboard heat.

Prepared by:
Dr. Donald L. Gochenour
Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering
West Virginia University
Note from the editor: GlassHeat systems are now available on www.electricheat.com

Click Here to View the Energy Case Study: Ceiling Radiant Heat