How to Check if an Electric Baseboard Heater Is Broken

Baseboard heaters are typically electric and function off of a nearby thermostat. While certain heating systems use baseboard type vents, a true baseboard heater is electric and self contained. This helps make the troubleshooting process much easier because the problem will be confined to that particular area instead of throughout the whole house. If you have noticed your baseboard heater is no longer functioning as it should, there are several methods you can use to determine the cause of the problem.

Instructions

- 1
  Check the circuit breaker for the heater. Electric heaters use a lot of energy and may trip the circuit breaker. Check to see if it's in the "Off" position. If it is, turn it to the "On" position and click the thermostat for the heater.
- 2
  Turn the thermostat to the highest setting and wait a few minutes. If the baseboard heater feels somewhat warm to the touch, the problem is likely a thermostat malfunction. If the baseboard heater is cold, the problem is with the heater itself.
- 3
  Check the wires and connections. If the baseboard heater has exposed wiring leading to the thermostat, it's possible that the wires may be loose or may have been chewed. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and inspect the wires. If they appear chewed, call a technician immediately to have it fixed and don't turn the power back on to the heater until the wiring has been repaired.
- 4
  Check the voltage because there could be an issue with the power supply to the heater. Contact an electrician to check the voltage coming in to the heater. Most baseboard heaters run on 240 watts and won't function properly if they're receiving less than this amount through the house wiring.

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