How to Layout Baseboard Heaters

The amount of baseboard heaters you need in a room depends on the room's size. Generally speaking, a newer home needs 6 watts of heating per square foot, while an older home needs 10 watts per square foot. The amount of wattage your selected baseboard heater puts out is found on the packaging; generally, they put out between 200 to 250 watts per foot, in length. Properly laying out the baseboard heater is key in maximizing the use of these watts.

Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Locate all the windows in the room. Baseboard heaters operate more efficiently when installed under a window. The cold air from the window sinks down to the baseboard and heats up, mixing with the room air.
- 2
  Place the baseboard heater under the selected window, on the floor. Measure from the heater's top surface to the window's bottom edge. There needs to be a gap of at least 12 inches for this placement to be safe.
- 3
  Look on either side of the baseboard. Move any furniture that is closer than 12 inches to the baseboard. If this is not possible, this location is not safe for the baseboard heater.
- 4
  Place the baseboard heater on the coldest exterior wall, if there is no window in the room. Position the baseboard 12 inches away from any furniture. Make sure there is no electrical outlet above the baseboard.

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