Baseboard Heaters

Hot Water (hydronic) baseboard heaters are a primary source of heat for your home. They are installed along the base of the walls in your home. They are placed in the same location as a wall base (trim) along the bottom of a wall. Hot water baseboard heaters use hot water that flows through tubes in the heater units. They contain a copper pipe with aluminum fins to transfer heat, and is housed in a white or off-white metal enclosure. They are more energy efficient and affordable to run then electric. However, they may not fit in small homes or apartments depending on the space. It’s very important to know that baseboard heaters require good air circulation in order to deliver heat effectively and efficiently. You cannot hide them behind a sofa, bed, or other obstruction objects that would prevent them from performing properly.

Why You Should Have Hot Water Baseboard Heaters

They're Efficient!
They provide a more even heat than electric baseboards, they don't cycle on and off as much as other heating systems which lowers your overall energy consumption and the heat is more constant since the liquid remains heated after it reaches temperature.
They're Cleaner!
The hot water heating system is enclosed so there’s no routine cleaning to do like there is with a furnace and ductwork. Hot water baseboard heaters are closed, so they will never be exposed to things that could become allergens like dust and dander. Allergens don't get blown around the house and get inhaled by you and your family.
They Last a Long Time!
The life expectancy of a hot water baseboard heater is about 20 years! However, with care they can last much longer. That’s why you see them in older homes so often. The technology hasn’t changed much and the reason is because they work! If a baseboard heater looks old and outdated, you can easily update the look with baseboard products. They are easy to install and change the look of your home instantly.
They Are Quiet!
There is no noisy fan or clicking as the system turns on and off but sometimes the pipes bang as they expand with hot water. However, as long as there is proper insulation around the pipes, you won't hear it.
They're Safe!
Unlike electric heaters, where you've been told there should be 18 inches of clearance between the baseboard heater and other objects in the room like furniture, curtains, etc. because it's a fire hazard. You can lean objects against hot water baseboards without that risk as they are also safe around children and pets. However, you do need proper space to create an air current to heat the room effectively. Every element of the baseboard heater is kept at a temperature well below any fire hazard or burn risk.

Unusual sounds that you should be aware of

Gurgling & Bubbling Sounds
Gurgling and bubbling sounds are usually associated with air in the lines and can often be resolved by an experienced service technician or plumber. Carefully bleeding small amounts of air from the system may be all that’s needed. In other cases, there may be an aging circulator pump that no longer is performing up to spec, potentially causing noise or performance issues in a variety of locations. The first step is to contact us so we can diagnose the issue right away!

Creaking & Pinging Sounds
As baseboard heaters and the piping connecting them heat up and cool down, there may be sounds associated with the expansion and contraction of the enclosures and the fasteners securing them. While we can’t promise that there may not occasionally be a relatively small amount of these sounds as the ‘nature of the beast’ in some systems, excessive amounts of these sounds could be associated with loosely or improperly installed enclosure or trim pieces, or poorly hung baseboard heater element, for example. Depending on the origin of the sound, this could be a relatively easy fix for someone familiar with these products, or, in other cases, if the source is concealed behind drywall or lumber, maybe not so much.