I was searching for a small but effective space heater that could keep my kitchen warm without producing much noise. If you can't get the cover off this way, clean the louvers and the intake area on the underside of the heater as best you can using a vacuum cleaner and a rag. Examine the vent to determine if anything is blocking it. Turn the thermostat to its hottest position. Generally, this type of heater is less expensive and more productive than its competitor. Anything from carbon buildup between its thermostat's contacts to a loose electrical connection in the circuit-breaker panel can cause system failure. This problem is less likely in electric baseboards, since the units are factory-sealed. Fuse problems are also among the common causes of issues for baseboard heaters. In addition, when this dirt and debris burns, they produce a bad odor. Open up the baseboard heater's electrical compartments and inspect each part and its wire connections. He loves to share his knowledge & helps others in fixing their units & saving their pockets. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Locate the zone where the line is frozen. Read the Thermostat Schematic Unpackage the baseboard heater thermostat. Many people have problems figuring out how to bleed baseboard heat. Electric baseboard heaters operate on the principle of convection. The four bolts keeping the circulation pump in place must be loosened and removed, then the pump must be taken out. Lasko: Why Does My Electric Space Heater Keep Tripping My Circuit Breaker? They should have a guide to help you diagnose the issue. Dead batteries will cause the heater to lose its settings and fall back to a default program. If your electric baseboard heater is malfunctioning, the thermostat is often the culprit, and when that isn't true, it's usually some other electrical or cleaning problem. Ensure the circuit breaker, wiring, and voltage are alright. To check for a problem, make sure that you are working in a safe environment. Answer: You should contact the contractor that installed the heater, then ask about the warranty and perhaps a service call. In this case, you have to: Cleaning the vents of the Baseboard heater can be quite easy if you know the proper method. Most rooms require a minimum of 10 watts per square foot of space. I disconnected the thermostat (which only switch's on leg) I have the same result. The second option is more economical despite the fact that you'll probably have to hire an electrician. Baseboard heating works through convection. At 30 inches long, it's the perfect size for smaller rooms, and its white powder-coated finish is attractive and durable. You may need a more powerful heater. Without this clearance, the heater can't generate the airflow necessary to distribute heat. What are the pros and cons of baseboard heating? For instance, a 1500-watt baseboard heater should heat a 150-square-foot room. Each unit gets a small amount of heat from the water and sends it to the next. I changed the heater and thermostat. When there are drapes or furniture blocking the vent, the thermostat can show a higher temperature than usual. Electric Baseboard Heater Not Getting Hot Enough, For example, you can set it to go down to 16 degrees at night and rise to a comfortable temperature. Do baseboard heaters use a lot of electricity? Make sure the cables are in good shape. Someone may have installed a 208- or 240-volt heater on a 120-volt circuit, which means that one of the hot wires on the heater isn't connected, and the heater is operating at half its capacity. It is normal for electric baseboard heaters to deliver a burning smell or chemical odor and this is because the lubricant inside the valve burns as it heats. Water Heater Troubleshooting- Not Producing Hot Water. Examine its path to the thermostat and to the circuit breaker, Ensure that the wires are in good condition. If a double-throw breaker reads about 120-VAC, replace the breaker. Sometimes, you can fix a faulty thermostat by just tapping it to loosen a stuck spring, but the problem can also be dirt on the contacts. Check your local building codes and electrical inspection authority codes in your area. Answer: You have a break in one leg of the power supply somewhere between the circuit breaker lugs and the thermostat. Even worse, youll probably forget to turn them down once they reach the comfort mark, so theyll stay hot even if youre not at home. Normally, a thermostat is closed under normal operating conditions, and it opens when the temperature of the baseboard heater goes beyond its tolerance this will cause the Electric Baseboard Heater Not Getting Hot Enough. Thermostat works. Remove the wire connectors from the thermal limit switch's two wire terminals. Hot water circulates through a copper or aluminum fin tube piping arrangement at temperatures of 180 degrees. First, you should test the continuity of the electrical baseboard heater thermostat. If it's OFF it should stay OFF right or wrong? This is the ideal solution for a broken thermostat. If you need to make adjustments on your Electric Baseboard Heater Not Getting Hot Enough, heres how. Firstly, you should ensure that the heater is not too hot, as this can cause heat loss. Turn off the power and check the wiring box for damages. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Turn the circuit breaker to the "Off" position; for safety's sake, never rely on the tripped position as a disconnect. It may be on the heater itself or on the wall. An outdated heating element may be significantly less efficient and effective. The thermostat should lose continuity when the thermostat no longer detects a need; the ambient temperature exceeds the thermostat's setting. Within the baseboard, the air is warmed by a series of metal fins that . The probable causes also depend on the type of baseboard heater you have, i.e., electric or hydronic. Make sure the wires are secure and connected to the thermostat appropriately. To properly heat a room, an electric baseboard heating system must supply enough power. What is cheaper baseboard heat or forced air? But when I hook up a thermostat with the power line going to the top two wires and then the bottom two wires going out to my baseboard heater, the heater will not get hot. Before calling an electrician, there are a couple of things you can do yourself: Although it's rare, the circuit breaker itself may be defective. And if you have young children, make sure to turn off the heater before they enter a room with it. How do I bleed air out of baseboard heat? If not, replace the device. Your heater doesnt function effectively because of the poor heat production caused by an inadequate electricity supply. The warm air is pushed out, allowing the cold air to flow in. Best Budget-Friendly Baseboard Heater. Install a new relay switch for the thermostat. Its important to know why the baseboard heater not working upstairs or downstairs. Check Wiring Connections A problem associated with many of the aftermarket thermostats is that the wiring has a loose connection caused by not hooking it up correctly. Remove the wires from the thermostat's line leads. This website participates in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn income by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The circuit breaker should exceed the load total by 125%. Your electrical baseboard heater is likely in need of a new heating element if none of the issues mentioned up to this point apply to it. My problem is, why won't the baseboard heater get hot with the thermostat? Is that normal? All rights reserved. If that's the case, turn up the built-in one all the way and then turn up the wall thermostat until the unit switches on. This is an unfortunately common problem for electric baseboard heaters. What is the problem? Electric baseboard heaters need a double-pole circuit breaker rated 30 amps to 60 amps. Replace the thermostat if it fails any test. A step-by-step guide to help a homeowner perform basic preventive maintenance on their air conditioning system. Now close off all other zones except for the one you want to thaw. This way the system wont lose any water. Manage Settings Broken Circulator Pump 4. First, make sure it is clean and free of obstructions. This cycle is repeated over. Lastly, make sure that your thermostat is level and firmly attached to the wall. An electric baseboard heater may last up to 20 years, but if it hasnt been maintained, its lifespan will be much shorter. In essence, this heat creates the warmth we need. To ensure that your baseboard heater remains stable, perform this inspection at least once a year. If the meter shows any continuity, replace the thermostat. Open the baseboard heater's thermostat compartment. A baseboard convector is really just a tube with fins. It could be anything from a tripped circuit breaker to a short in the heater coil. Is it in the correct position? An insufficient supply of electricity can be the reason why Baseboard heaters do not generate enough heat. Using an extremely outdated electric baseboard heater isnt practical. As a result, the baseboard heater might not heat your rooms air to the desired level. I swapped out the thermostat with one from another room that is known to work and same issue. If you have a carbon monoxide detector in your house, make sure it is working. hot water baseboard heater won't shut offwhy is justin chambers leaving fox 17 news April 9, 2023 . Replacement units should have compatible ratings. NOTE: Customers should not reset any breakers multiple times upon seeing a trip breaker in the panel. As a result, it is clear that electricity is essential to the operation of a baseboard heater. If this is the case, you can tap it to clear the contact. This is basically the smell of Carbon Monoxide. Examine the label and confirm the total amperage load of the circuit breaker. In total a sure sign of only partial heat coming from a baseboard heater is a break in the line. Baseboard Heater Circuit Breaker Trips 2. Answer: It sounds like the second bedroom receives power from the load side of the master's thermostat instead of directly from the circuit breaker. Sometimes, the thermostat has a stuck spring and it keeps running. any suggestions? This is because valves can corrode easily without proper lubrication and will stick together and block the heat from entering the room if left unattended. Inspect the parts discussed here. So, as you can see, electricity plays a great role in making a Baseboard heater work. Convection or hydronic? Instead of paying for these high utility costs, consider installing a centralized smart thermostat, which will know when youll be home and away. The information on this website entertainment purposes only. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Life expectancy varies according to a number of variables, including quality, typical external temperatures, and thermostat adjustments. Step 2 If the meter reads 0-VAC, replace the breaker. Such malfunction keeps the heater constantly working even if you try to turn it off. A single-pole thermostat has one set of contact points and a solid busbar between the second leg's wire terminals. Call your local technician if there are any issues with the electrical components of your unit. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. It means your baseboard heaters thermostat is blocked. This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Another simple trick is to place your furniture in such a way that it doesnt block the airflow around your heater. Will the baseboard heater work if the water is turned off? Part of the series: Heating Systems. So, lets delve right in. A single-pole circuit breaker is what you have for most appliances, like power tools or vacuums. If youre not able to detect any heat at all from your heater, youll want to take it to a repair shop. 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