How to Pick a Baseboard Heater

Measure the ceiling height of the room you need to heat using the tape measure.

Measure the length and width of the room you need to heat using the tape measure.

Multiply the room's length and width but not the height to get the total square footage if your ceiling measures less than 9 feet.

Multiply the room's length by the height by the width to get the total cubic footage if your ceiling is 9 feet or more.

Match the baseboard heater's wattage (w) specifications as found in the user's guide to your room's square footage, allowing for 10 watts per square foot if you have a ceiling that less than 9 feet. For example, a 120 square foot room would require a 1,200 watt heater.

Match the baseboard heater's wattage specifications as found in the user's guide to your room's cubic footage, allowing for 1.25 watts per cubic foot, if you have a ceiling that is 9 feet or higher. For instance, a room with 1,200 cubic feet would require a heater with 1,500 watts.

Match the heater's voltage to what you are able to supply in the room. Smaller heaters will run on regular 120 volt outlets, but some larger baseboard heaters will require a 240-volt service with a dedicated circuit.

Compare the thermostat type to your needs. Some baseboard heaters have a built-in thermostat while others allow you to hook them into your home's central thermostat for greater ease of use.

inspect the box or the user's guide for an Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) sticker. A UL sticker certifies the heater offers efficient power usage and quality heating. Heaters not certified by the UL might offer lower efficiency and inconsistent temperature control.