Installing Electrical Baseboards and Wall Heaters
Electric baseboards and wall heaters can be a convenient way to heat up a room. These are especially helpful in drafty rooms that may need a little extra help keeping warm. Instead of wasting energy in rooms that aren't used, baseboard and wall heaters will allow you to use heat only in the rooms you utilize. Cutting back on electricity costs is simple when you install baseboard or wall heaters.
Installing electrical baseboards or wall heaters can be a daunting task, but it's one that can save you money in the long run. You'll be able to control the temperature in each room of the house meaning you won't have to waste money heating rooms that you aren't using. You will need knowledge of electrical wiring and several tools to accomplish this.
What You'll Need:
- Pencil
- 30-amp breaker
- Drill
- Measuring tape
- 220 gauge wire
- Wire cutters
- Screwdriver
- Purchase the baseboard or wall heater for each room you want to install one in. You want to check to ensure that each unit comes with a thermostat. Some models will include this while others will require you to purchase this separately.
- Mark the wall where you plan on installing the heater. Place the heater against the wall and mark the center and each end on the wall with a pencil. Use a level to make sure they are even.
- Cut the power at the breaker box before you go any further.
- Secure the heater to the wall with the drill. Once the heater is in place you can attach the thermostat. The thermostat should have color coded wires and a diagram to show you exactly how to wire them.
- Prepare to run the wire from the heater to the breaker box. Use the drill to create a hole in the floor near the thermostat. Each heater should be connected to its own 30 amp breaker to avoid shorts.
- Use the electrical diagram included with the heater to run the wires. If the baseboard heater didn't include a diagram you can find wiring diagrams online or at your local home improvement store.
- Once the wiring is set up and you know the heater is grounded you can test it out. Switch the thermostat on and adjust the temperature. Keep an eye on it for a few minutes to make sure it's heating up with no problems. As long as everything is working smoothly you'll be able to enjoy your new single room heater right away.