Electric is one of the least efficient methods for heating a home. With most baseboards placed against the outside walls you are constantly combatting the cold outdoor temperatures and heat loss. Baseboard heaters are also often inhibited by curtains and carpeting, cutting off the circulation of warm air throughout the room. If the alternative of placing baseboard heating on an interior wall were done, this would result in a room with heavy drafts from the window.
Way To Make Your Electric Heat More Efficient
Concerned with his home’s efficiency, a Nashua homeowner contacted us looking for suggestions for improving his electric heat. Homes with electric heat have over 40% of their electric bill go toward heating. Most electricity is generated by coal or oil so unless you live in the northwest where electricity is relatively inexpensive, it is not a cheap option for heating the home.
One of our first suggestions was to take a look at the window treatments in the home. To not impede the electric heater’s efficiency, the curtain must stop 4 to 8 inches above the top of the heater.
Another cause of inefficiency in electric heaters is the accumulation of dust. This can quickly collect on the small metal fins inside the electric heater, restricting the heat by up to 80%. Regularly vacuuming and cleaning the baseboards can go a long way to eliminating this inefficiency caused by dirt build-up.
The Nashua homeowner also took look at the insulation throughout the residence, particularly the windows. Eliminating the loss of heat from the baseboard through a poorly insulated window and outdoor walls can really add up.
While not the most efficient heating option, by making these simple changes, the Nashua homeowner did see an improvement in the efficiency of his home’s electric heat.
The post Nashua Homeowner Recognizes the Inefficiencies of Electric Heat appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. – Nashua, NH.
