Baseboard Heaters: Portable or Built-in?

As the cold season begins to set in, it is important to be well prepared. For years, people have looked to electric heaters to keep them and their families warm, during the cold months. Yet purchasing a heater can be confusing sometimes. Whether it be wall, space or baseboard it is important to purchase the right kind of heater the suits you. The first rate staff at Air-N-Water have been researching and testing multiple heaters and have posted their results online.

Base Board Heaters

Electric baseboard heaters are heaters designed to line the wall and provide heat for the entire room by using convection heat to circulate the air. As the baseboard heater heats the immediate air, it begins to rise and the cold air begins to fall to the floor, only to be immediately heated and continue this trend until your room is warm and toasty. Baseboard heaters traditionally have 500 watts to 1500 watts of power and usually cover anywhere between 50 to 150 square feet. They are extremely easy to maintain and often have a circuit breaker to prevent over heating. Up keep is generally easy and revolves around minor cleaning and the removal of dust and lint.

Baseboard heaters are generally quiet and there is never any type of threat from ember or sparks. There are differences between models, perhaps the biggest being whether they are hard wired or portable. But what are the differences between them? Which one is the better choice?

The main difference between portable and hard wired heaters is portability and power. Generally speaking portable heaters offer less heat then hard wired ones. Portable models are easy to take with you letting you place them effortlessly from room to room without worrying about any installation. Of course there are exceptions depending on the model. We have provided two reviews of products that are exemplary in each category.




Hard Wired Baseboard Heater

The Qmark HBB500 baseboard heater is perfect for households with kids and pets. It sports a sheathed electric heating element that is totally immersed in a heat-transfer liquid and sealed in a heater-length copper tube. Its large diameter reservoir maximizes the volume of heat storage fluid to prolong the thermal constant of the entire heater. It heats even after it is turned off to save you energy and keep your house warm. It easily attaches to any wall no matter what flooring you are using.

The low operating temperature allows carpet to be installed up to and around the baseboard. Heavy-duty welded steel louvered grilles discourage insertion of foreign objects and direct heat outward into the room. It features a built-in cut off feature to prevent any potential damage.

Portable Baseboard Heaters

The Fahrenheat FBE15002 portable electric baseboard heater is a safe low-profile heater that fits perfectly against the baseboard for use in any room. Its neutral off-white finish fits in home with any decor. It has carrying handles is great for easy mobility. The built-in thermostat is great for constant regulating of the temperature. The FBE15002 features a full-length sensor that automatically shuts off the heater if it becomes blocked and begins to over heat. Heavy-duty construction provides unfailing durability. The manufacturer's protects against any unforeseen problems. Best of all it pumps out 5,200 BTUS of power with its twin 1000/1500 watt output settings.