- Baseboard heaters can be efficient and inexpensive in many ways. For instance if a unit malfunctions, you only have to replace that one unit and not the entire heating system. Additionally, if a room is not being used the unit can be shut off to save power. But all this doesn't meant baseboard heaters are fire safe. To keep them safe from fire, you should keep them clean of dust and debris. This will ensure that sparks aren't created from particles laying on the heating coils.
- When installing baseboard units for fire safety, you should plan the locations out. Make sure that the units are not located near furniture, curtains or other flammable objects. The objects themselves might not create a fire, but the objects coupled with dust from a neglected unit might. Also try not to install them right under electrical outlets. If you needed to use the outlet, the cord being draped near the unit could cause a fire hazard.
- The best way to ensure fire safety with baseboard heat installation is to install hot water baseboard heating. It has no internal coils that heat up. The heat source is tubing with hot water running through it. It is still not recommended that a person place a unit below an outlet due to the heat that comes out and the possibility of damage to the cord, but objects, such as curtains, are not an issue.
previous post