Electric baseboard heating systems have been a popular choice for home heating for decades, especially in regions with mild to moderate winter conditions. These systems are known for their simplicity, low maintenance, and ease of installation. With the advent of smart home technology, the popularity of electric baseboard heaters continues to grow, as they can be compatible with smart thermostats that offer homeowners better convenience, control, and utility cost savings.
But, like any heating system, electric baseboards have their advantages and drawbacks! In this blog, we’ll break down the top five pros and cons of electric baseboard heating - it could help you decide if this system is right for your home, and how to manage it to your best advantage.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents:
- Top 5 Pros of Electric Baseboard Heating Systems
- Smart Thermostat Integration
- Greater Energy Savings
- Remote Monitoring and Control
- Better Home Comfort
- Utility Rebates and Demand Response Programs
- Top 5 Cons of Electric Baseboard Heating Systems
- Utility Costs
- Heating Coverage
- Aesthetics & Space Considerations
- Lack of Cooling Functionality
- Slow Response Time
- Summary
1. Top 5 Pros of Electric Baseboard Heating Systems
Smart Thermostat Integration
App-based Control - One of the biggest advantages is the ability to replace your old, inaccurate dial thermostats or overly complex programmable thermostats with app-based smart thermostats for electric baseboard heating. WiFi-controlled thermostats are the modern home energy management solution that give you full control of your baseboard heaters easily and conveniently from anywhere.
Precise Temperature Control - With the outdated analogue thermostats that traditionally control baseboard heating, you can never be quite sure that the temperature you set is the temperature you get! Smart thermostats for electric baseboard heaters provide precise control for individual rooms as well as heating zones, ensuring that each space in your home is comfortable while helping you save energy and lower your costs.
User-friendly Interfaces - Traditional programmable thermostats for baseboard heaters can be complicated and time-consuming to use. Instead of squinting at a small LED screen with too many tiny, frustrating manual buttons, you can access your smart thermostat app via your smartphone or tablet, making it easy and convenient to control your heating from anywhere and lower your utility bills with energy-saving features.
Greater Energy Savings
Customizable Schedules - With smart thermostats controlling your electric baseboard heaters, you can easily create custom heating schedules that match your daily routine, reducing energy use when heating isn't needed, such as when you're away from home.
Geofencing - Life is busy, why worry about having to manually adjust your old dial thermostats to avoid wasting energy every time you have to leave your home? With geofencing, your smart thermostat automatically adjusts your heat when you are within a preset geographic area, helping you save energy and money by heating your home only when needed.
Cost Control - As the cost of living continues to rise, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce energy use and save money each month - particularly on those scary winter electricity costs. By monitoring energy usage and adjusting home heating temperatures remotely, smart thermostats can help homeowners lower energy costs during peak use times - something traditional thermostats can’t do.
Remote Monitoring and Control
Control from Anywhere - The ability to adjust your home’s temperature from your smartphone is incredibly convenient. Whether you're at work, commuting, on vacation, or simply in another room, you can monitor and control your baseboard heating with ease to maximize energy efficiency and comfort.
Real-time Alerts - Many smart thermostats provide temperature and humidity alerts if the levels exceed pre-set thresholds, allowing homeowners to adjust their heating as needed to avoid unnecessarily high utility bills and prevent costly home repairs due to humidity damage.
Energy Usage Insights - Some WiFi-controlled smart thermostats for electric baseboard heaters - like the Mysa Smart Thermostat V2 - provide detailed energy usage reports, giving homeowners the in-depth information they need to make smart, informed decisions about home heating use.
Better Home Comfort
Zoned Heating - Electric baseboard systems with smart thermostats allow for zoned heating, which means baseboard heaters can be grouped together to heat on the same schedule at the same temperature. This minimizes the need for individual thermostat adjustments and ensures comfort and energy savings in larger areas of the home.
More Consistent Heating - Unlike forced air systems, electric baseboards provide steady and even heat without chilly drafts or unpredictable temperature swings, which leads to a more consistent comfort level in each room.
Customized Comfort - Electric baseboard heating controlled by a smart thermostat app can be customized to suit the individual temperature preferences of different family members, rather than a “one-size-heats-all” approach.
Utility Rebates and Demand Response Programs
Smart Thermostat Rebates - Many utility companies offer rebates for installing smart thermostats compatible with electric baseboard systems, making the upfront cost of upgrading more affordable.
Demand Response Programs - Enrolling in utility-sponsored Demand Response (DR) programs - particularly during the winter, in regions with a prevalence of electric baseboard heating and lower seasonal temperatures - can help homeowners save energy and money. By reducing heating demand during peak times, homeowners can help stabilize the grid and while lowering their energy bills with little to no effort.
Energy Incentives - Utility-sponsored DR programs often include additional financial incentives, such as utility bill credits, for reducing energy usage during high-demand periods, further increasing potential utility cost savings for homeowners.
2. Top 5 Cons of Electric Baseboard Heating Systems
Operating Costs
Electricity Rates - Since electric baseboard heaters rely solely on electricity, they can be expensive to run, especially in areas with high electricity rates. This can lead to higher monthly energy bills compared to other heating options like oil or natural gas.
Less Energy Efficiency - Baseboard heaters are less energy-efficient as modern HVAC systems, such as ductless mini-split heat pumps, which use less electricity to achieve the same level of warmth. Switching to smart thermostat control for baseboard heaters or adding a smart AC controller can help make both options more affordable and energy-efficient when outside temperatures are dropping.
High Peak Use Costs - During the winter months, energy demand increases, leading to higher peak use electricity costs for homes with electric baseboard heating. Without smart thermostat control or participation in utility-sponsored Demand Response programs, homeowners may see increased electricity costs.
Heating Coverage
Not Ideal for Large Spaces - Electric baseboard heaters are often better suited for smaller rooms. In larger spaces or open-plan layouts, multiple units may be needed, which can be both costly and inefficient.
Slow Heat Distribution - Baseboard heaters work by convection, meaning they slowly warm the air. This can result in cold spots in larger rooms if the system isn’t adequately zoned.
Localized Heat - Because each baseboard heater typically heats only the room it's installed in, homeowners may need additional heating solutions for larger or multi-story homes.
Aesthetics & Space Considerations
Wall Space Limitation - Baseboard heaters take up valuable wall space, which can limit where you place furniture or appliances, in terms of heating safety and efficiency.
Clunky Appearance - Baseboard heating units often lack the appealing design of more modern heating solutions, and can impact an otherwise well-designed space. Replacing dial thermostats with sleek, minimalist smart thermostats can help improve the aesthetics of baseboard heating in your home.
Maintenance Challenges - Over time, baseboard heaters can collect dust and debris, which not only impacts efficiency but also requires regular cleaning to maintain optimal performance.
Lack of Cooling Functionality
Heating-Only - Electric baseboard heaters offer no cooling capabilities, so homeowners in warmer climates or with hot summers will need to invest in a separate air conditioning system.
Installation Costs for Additional Systems - Adding a separate cooling system increases both installation and maintenance costs, compared to integrated HVAC systems such as ductless mini- that provide both heating and cooling.
Dual-system Management - Managing separate heating and cooling systems can be less convenient and may require additional smart home integration tools for seamless control.
Slow Response Time
Longer Ramp-Up - Electric baseboard heaters can take longer to heat a room compared to forced-air systems, as they warm the air through convection, which is a slower process.
Efficiency in Extreme Cold - In extremely cold climates, electric baseboard heaters may struggle to keep up with rapid temperature drops, leading to a less efficient heating experience.
Uneven Coverage - Depending on the size and insulation of the room, some areas may take longer to warm up than others, leading to a lack of uniformity in home heating.
3. Summary
Electric baseboard heating systems offer a range of benefits, particularly when paired with smart thermostats that enhance control, efficiency, convenience, and utility costs. Homeowners can enjoy app-based heating management, better energy savings, and consistent home comfort, all while taking advantage of utility-sponsored rebates and demand response programs. However, the high operating costs, limited coverage, and lack of cooling functionality mean that this system may not be suitable for all homes. Ultimately, if you're seeking a flexible, easy-to-install heating solution with modern controls, electric baseboard heating may be worth considering - especially when paired with the right smart thermostat!
Ready to take control of your baseboard heaters this winter? Find the Mysa Smart Thermostats that could be the perfect fit for your home energy management needs - check your compatibility now!