Your Comfy Homes - Baseboard vs Space Heater

Electric Baseboard Heaters

If your main goal is to heat a larger room, multiple rooms, it’s definitely best to go with an electric baseboard heater. Like mentioned in our previous blog, the two types of electric baseboard heaters (convection and hydronic) use the convection method for heating. This means that cool air flows through the baseboard heater, and pumps out as warm air either solely by electric elements heating the air (convection baseboard heater), or by electric elements heating water (hydronic baseboard heater).

Space Heaters

If you are looking to heat a smaller room, or a small area of a room, the best option is to go for a space heater rather than an electric baseboard heater. Most space heaters are portable, so they can be plugged in pretty much anywhere. Even though they are portable, a space heater should be on its own dedicated circuit because they consume a lot of power. Having a space heater plugged into its own dedicated line will prevent loss of power, and tripping breakers.

There are many different types of space heaters on the market. While most work with the convection method by blowing warm air with a fan, some use radiant heat. Radiant space heaters heat a person rather than the air in a room.

Space heaters are better for instant, targeted warmth in one spot, while baseboard heaters are more effective for consistent, whole-room, or long-term heating.

Key Comparisons:

Efficiency: Because both are electric resistance heaters, a 1500W space heater and a 1500W baseboard heater produce the same amount of heat per dollar.
Space Heaters: Best for "zone heating"—heating only the room you are in—which can save money if you turn down your main thermostat. However, they are less efficient for long-term, continuous use
Baseboard Heaters: Better for maintaining a consistent,, even, and quiet, warm temperature in larger spaces.
Safety: Baseboard heaters are generally safer as they are wall-mounted, reducing fire hazards compared to space heaters.
Cost: While often considered cheap to buy, constantly running a space heater can lead to high energy bills.

Hydronic heaters, or a hot water baseboard heater, warm a contained fluid, either oil or water to heat a room. Once heated, this fluid is distributed throughout the system via various components of the heater. Following its release, a circulation heat pump propels the warmed water through a network of pipes, radiators, or other heating elements. This process effectively transfers heat to the surrounding space. Choose Hydronic: If you prioritize energy efficiency, consistent comfort, quiet, and have a higher budget.

Convection heaters utilize a heating coil to warm the surrounding air. Eventually, the air is then circulated either by a fan or through natural convection. This process involves pulling in cool air, passing it over a heated metal coil, and releasing the now-warmed air back into the room. Choose Convection: If you need to heat a room quickly, have a limited budget, or need a low-maintenance, easy-to-install option.

Performance: Hydronic heaters retain heat longer because of the fluid, reducing temperature swings and providing more consistent, comfortable, and efficient heating. . Convection heaters heat up fast but cool down quickly when turned off
Comfort & Noise: Hydronic systems operate more quietly and often provide a better, more "radiant" feel. Convection heaters can be noisy as they heat up.
Installation & Cost: Convection heaters are cheaper to purchase and easier to install ($200–$400). Hydronic units are more expensive ($600–$1,200).

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