Baseboard Heating Vs Forced Air: Which Is Better For My House?

Baseboard Heating vs Forced Air: Which Is Better for My House?

Types Of Baseboard Heaters

There are two types of baseboard heaters:

1. Electric baseboard heaters
2. Hydronic baseboard heaters

Baseboard heaters are typically installed beneath windows. This helps to stop the cool air from seeping through the windows and impacting the room temperature. Any cool air is sucked into the baseboard unit, which warms the air. This creates a convection process, which takes cool air in, pushes warm air out, and then draws cool air in again.

Electric baseboard heaters use electricity to heat the metal fins inside the unit to deliver warm air. Electric units are fairly inexpensive but also inefficient. Many homeowners use them in specific rooms for supplemental heat rather than use them as the primary heat source. Some electrical units can use a centrifugal fan to blow the air out, essentially turning it into a forced air baseboard heater.

Hydronic baseboard heaters do use some electricity but it’s used to heat water or oil in the system. The fluid then radiates into the room. It uses less energy and the heat can last longer. Even once the unit is turned off, it takes a while to cool. It will, however, take longer to heat up.

Types Of Forced Air Heating Systems

Forced air heating systems are the most common type of heating systems in homes. Of those, the majority are gas furnaces.

There are several types of forced air heating systems, including:

1. Gas furnaces
2. Electric furnaces
3. Heat pumps
4. Hydronic coils

Gas systems use a pilot light or ignition to combust the gas to provide heat, then blow it through ducts throughout your home. Electric furnaces use electricity to heat the air and send it through your ductwork.

Forced-air heat pumps do not use combustion methods to heat. They pull heat from the ground or outside air. A compressor takes the heat from outside and converts it into gas using refrigerant. This gas circulates through a coil to condense the air. This turns into heat which warms the air before distributing it.

Hydronic systems use a small pump to draw hot water from the water heater. As air is pushed over the coils, it heats the air which is then dispersed.

Baseboard Heating vs Forced Air

Each type of heating has its advantages and disadvantages.



The choice comes down to cost and preference.

The Pros and Cons Of Using A Baseboard Heater

One big advantage of baseboard heaters is that they work nearly silently. You probably won’t hear anything when they’re operating. They also do not require ductwork. This makes installation much simpler, especially in homes that don’t have air ducts already installed.

Pros:

• Significantly lower installation costs than forced-air systems or radiant heat
• Energy-efficient using condensing boilers
• Consistent heating



Cons:

• Can take longer to fully heat rooms
• Only provides heat
• Electric baseboard heaters can be expensive for heavy use

The Pros And Cons Of Using Forced Air Heating

Forced air heating is the most efficient way to heat your entire home. It heats quickly and provides air circulation throughout the home. Another advantage is that ductwork for a forced-air heating system can also be used for air conditioning to keep you cool in the summer.

Pros:

• Rapid heating regardless of room size
• Newer models can be up to 98.5% efficient heating your home
• Forced air heat pumps can manage heating and cooling needs

Cons:

• Airflow can distribute dust, allergens, and dander
• Leaks in ducts can lead to inefficient heat distribution
• Can be inconsistent room to room

Baseboard Heat vs Forced Air

So, which is the right choice to heat your home? You’ll need to evaluate the pros and cons of each system and weigh the cost of installation and operation. For many, it’s a financial decision. For others, it’s a strictly personal preference.