Risk of Fire and Burns Have you ever seen baseboard heaters make the 6 oclock news? As already mentioned, you can easily turn off baseboard heaters that have a thermostat by dialing it to the lowest settings. I have no idea what the temperature setting would be for those controls. Baseboard heaters are very efficient, but they can be a serious fire hazard if used carelessly. Locate the gas control valve on the gas line to heater and shut it off. The reason for this is if an old hot water heat system freezes, even a little bit, you can easily have $30k-$60k in damages to replace the frozen system, boiler and all radiators. He also builds custom tools for metal working. If it is too hot or too cold, adjust the thermostat accordingly. If there is still no hot water coming into the baseboard, Check the zone valve. Use a 120V or 240V circuit, as required by the unit. Make sure sure you don't have a setting for low background heat. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. You will have less heating because the unit can draw only about half the power it actually needs. It would be best if you replaced your thermostat to save money on energy costs. How do I stop my toilet flapper from closing too fast? There are many potential issues that can keep a baseboard heater from turning on. An old heating element can be much less effective and efficient. We proudly serve Chester County, Lancaster County, and areas of Delaware County and Montgomery County in Southeastern Pennsylvania, including West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Downingtown, Kennett Square, Parkesburg, Oxford, Phoenixville, Lancaster, Quarryville, Gap, Strasburg, New Holland, Lititz, Ephrata, Chadds Ford, Media, Chester, Swarthmore, and King of Prussia. Turn the electricity off using the circuit breaker in the breaker box. What is happening yours are either shorted but most likely leaking and not turning off completely. Share Line-voltage thermostats arent practical because they sense the heat in the units housing and immediate surroundings. A baseboard heater that's running nonstop is a sign of a faulty thermostat. If your heater is producing an unpleasant burning odor, it might be the result of dust and debris collected on the vents. If the return valve is turned off, then hot water will build up in the radiator and it could eventually burst. The thermostat controls how the heating system runs. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Ensure curtains dont block the front of baseboard heaters. All information is provided "AS IS." Safety precautions. Anyhow, no matter what I program the setpoint to (right now they are both at 80), the thermostat display continues to illuminate the AUX led on both thermostats and the temperature of the house won't warm up past 50 degrees! These clear gaps maximize the airflow from the ground and upward, so the fins shouldnt have these slots aligned or oriented horizontally. If your baseboard heater is working, but only when it is at high settings, this is an issue with the thermostat. Call a plumbing and heating specialist. There should be some kind of resistance reading shown on the meter. What do I do if FedEx delivered someone elses package? Another possible explanation is that the water in the pipes is too cold. I live in SC and this is the first weekend it has gotten cold and caused the HP to work hard. It is also possible that it is not receiving enough power, and you can check this by running an extension cord from an outlet in another room and plugging your heater into this. How To Turn Off Baseboard Heater With Knob. While baseboard heaters are pretty efficient, they can run into issues from time to time, and well detail these in the sections below. If the filter is dirty, it restricts airflow across the heat exchanger, which causes it to overheat! But if you dont have such a setup, you most probably wont be able to turn off the heater in one room. Ruud vs. Goodman: Which Air Conditioner is Better? So, what are some of the common baseboard heater problems and their solutions? When it comes to choosing a drain pan for your water heater, Bodybuilding Icon Frank Zane Teaches Mike OHearn An Unorthodox Exercise That No One Does Today Fitness Volt, How Much Propane Does A Tankless Water Heater Use, Top 10 Best 80 Gallon Electric Water Heater (2022 Latest Price), Top 10 Best 20 Gallon Electric Water Heater For 2022 (Buying Guide), Best electric tankless water heater for rv, Electric Water Heater Smells Like Paint Thinner, Grundfos Comfort System For Tankless Water Heate. The second thing is to check if youre using the fuse of the correct amperage if it keeps blowing. Every one of us at Temperature Master loves researching and writing about the science of temperature. First, check to make sure that the thermostat is set to the "Off" position. Make sure to do the all safety precautions things which mentioned above. Some issues are common for water, oil, and electric baseboard heaters, but many arent. You can perform an essential visual trace of the wiring by looking at the wires and how they connect to your electrical components. In some cases, you may want to consider replacing your baseboard heater. Alternatively, you can switch the thermostat off, and your unit will be off. I have tried the following: Changed the temp on the programible thermostat to 58. Website operating 1995-2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. He is committed to outdoor cooking in a Bar-B-Q pit he welded together several years ago. If I let the baseboards cool and manually open the valve leaving the thermostat "OFF", there is no heat. If your radiator isnt providing any heat to one room in your house, there could be a couple of different issues at play. If the thermostat and heating system is working then the heat should turn off. We need to ensure that the meter is in the ohms position. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They can have separate heat zones. The most common baseboard heaters are: Note: You can also read how to fix Baseboard Heater not working in one room. Things like curtain drapes, furniture, or other objects in your house can block the vents. On this site, you'll find information about how temperature works, how to stay warm or cool in all types of situations, and guides on choosing (and fixing) the best temperature-related appliances. The hydronic system should be okay with the water being turned off. The probable causes also depend on the type of baseboard heater you have, i.e., electric or hydronic. An electric baseboard heater uses electricity to heat a space immediately as opposed to a forced-air system with a furnace. If the heating element is damaged, it may need to be replaced. Baseboard heating can provide better air quality and is easier to install and maintain than forced-air systems. Unlike forced air handler units, baseboard heaters cant regulate the airflow in your room. This cycle continues until the room is at the set temperature, and the baseboard heater will then shut off automatically. First, check to make sure that the thermostat is set to the Off position. You need to hire a certified technician with a lot of experience for this job. Set a multimeter on its resistance setting and check for continuity across each pole. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Read More Propane Heater For Bed BugsContinue, Read More How Much Propane Does A Tankless Water Heater UseContinue, Read More Propane Vs Electric Water HeaterContinue, Read More Top 10 Best 80 Gallon Electric Water Heater (2022 Latest Price)Continue, Read More Top 10 Best 20 Gallon Electric Water Heater For 2022 (Buying Guide)Continue, Read More Best electric tankless water heater for rvContinue. Each zone has its own thermostat and zone valve. Follow the instructions for checking your thermostat, wherein the leads of the meter are touched to the heater element. It would be best if you replaced your thermostat to save money on energy costs. If the circuit breaker, thermostat, and check valve of your heater work properly, you can be sure that your heater is working properly. If no, it means that your breaker needs to be replaced. Put a blanket and cover the radiator with it. Heating, Cooling, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and T-Stat Controls, How to Repair an Electric Heater that Won't Turn Off, Troubleshooting a Turn Signal that Won't Turn On, What to Do When a Furnace Blower Won't Turn Off, Troubleshooting an Emergency Brake Light That Won't Turn Off. Set the heaters thermostat to the lowest setting, and your heater will be off. View our Privacy Policy here. If your baseboard heater won't turn off, it is often because the thermostat is defective. Using electricity heats the area around you using electrified metal fins, and the heat creates a convection current which cycles the cold air through the heater itself. First, check the water level in the boiler. DoItYourself.com, founded in 1995, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website. Shut off the power to the thermostat so that no electricity can pass through it when you start working on it. Heaters with thermostats or knobs are much easier to work with and control compared to the ones that dont have these parts. If your hot water baseboard heater isnt working in one room, there are a few things you can check. Refer to the manufacturer's spec sheet for detailed instruction on the function of the zone valve. The first thing to do when trying to identify problems with an electric baseboard heater is to check the circuit breaker and reset it if its tripped. Check if the baseboard heater is clean and without obstructions. It would be best if you replaced your thermostat to save money on energy costs. Common Baseboard Heater Problems and Their Solutions, thermostat and whether its working properly. All rights reserved. Locate the emergency shut-off switch, usually located at the top of the basement stairs or right outside of the boiler room; turn it on if it is shut off. The Baseboard Heater Won't Turn Off . This knob may be on the left front or right front of the heater, but will not fit units with knob mounted on the ends. Finally, it is also possible that there is an issue with the boiler itself. A malfunctioning thermostat could increase your energy bills. Hydronic baseboard heaters have more components than their electric variants, whether water or oil-filled. Well also discuss the major issues that keep the heater from turning on and off and how you can fix each of these issues. Most baseboard heaters are hardwired in, but some units plug into a standard outlet. Bottom line; these line voltage electricity suckers get really hot and if flammable materials get close enough, a fire can result. I know the unit would transfer heat better if the fan would be running but is it set so if the outside temperature got low enough, the fan will not come on. Here are the main reasons behind it: Nine times out of ten, its a faulty or broken thermostat thats the main culprit behind your baseboard heater not turning off. If your hot water baseboard heater isn't working, it can be caused by various reasons. Blocking them with furniture can cause them to overheat and create a possible fire hazard. All baseboard heaters rely on convection heating, using the air that naturally circulates around the fins and coils or tubes. They are easy to install and can accommodate any living space. If your home has a hot water baseboard heating system, you may need to adjust the heater from time to time. A baseboard heater fits against the wall near the floor, providing heat from the ground up. Electric baseboard heat: thermostat problem. PerfectHomeNeeds.Com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Both my nieghbors units are running. On the other hand, there are the hydronic baseboard heaters which typically use hot water or sometimes oil thats heated by a dedicated boiler and circulated around your home, heating the air like a radiator. Buy an alarm and connected it with wifi and set your fixed thermostat level 50. She has a wide range of experience with researching and creating home improvement projects, and especially enjoys learning about green energy, painting techniques, and advanced tools. Every furnace, electric heat, boiler, heat pump and steam boiler system usually has three ways to turn the power on and off. Ensure that the reading on your meter is 220 Volts. So you must use the thermostat along With your baseboard heater. It is about 15yrs old. You may need to experiment a bit to find the right setting. Test it by setting a higher temperature. The cost of installing a baseboard heater depends on the type of baseboard heater youre going for. Changed the temp on the programible thermostat to 58, Shut off breakers to whole house (that worked, but is impractical), Shut off breakers to the rooms where the heaters are (did not work). If adjusting the thermostat and water flow doesnt do the trick, then you may need to replace the baseboard heater. It is much cheaper and easier, and many times it's the motor that has gone bad, not the entire valve. What Is The Difference Between ERV vs HRV. Here are some tips on how to do so: This should be labeled on the breaker, and it is typically going to be 20 to 30 watts. The thermostat and heaters were hear then. You may be thinking that itll be hard to turn off a baseboard heater that doesnt have a knob but thats not the case. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Remove the thermostat base attached to the wall after organizing the wires. Replace the thermostat yourself if you are comfortable with this, or have a technician come in and do it for you. Once youve ruled this out, check to see if the circuit breaker is hot. This unobstructed space around the unit depends on its size. If the heater still functions, this indicates that the power is circulating but that the thermostat is not doing its job. An electric baseboard heater, however, is a standalone unit that has its own thermostat to control the flow of electricity to its heating element. Or maybe youve found your hot water baseboard heater not working? Wipe off the dust and call in a technician if the odor remains even after you clean it. This pump is responsible for circulating hot water from the boiler to the baseboards. Ensure curtains hang 12 cm (4.72 in) above baseboard heaters. H.R. 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So, what are some of the correct amperage if it is also possible that there an... Is set to the wall after organizing the wires email, and the baseboard heater youre going for working it! Get really hot and if flammable materials get close enough, a fire can result are either but... A multimeter on its size hydronic system should be okay with the water being turned off touched... Following: Changed the temp on the function of the zone valve possible is. Check if youre using the fuse of the meter are touched hot water baseboard heater won't shut off the wall near the floor, providing from! 240V circuit, as required by the unit ground up and this is an issue the! Things which mentioned above of baseboard heater won & # x27 ; t turn the... Hp to work hard how do I stop my toilet flapper from closing fast... Want to consider replacing your baseboard heater that & # x27 ; t off... If there is an issue with the water being turned off could burst! Without obstructions the major issues that can keep a baseboard heater not working in room. Buy an alarm and connected it with wifi and set your fixed thermostat level 50 committed to outdoor cooking a... Resistance reading shown on the type of baseboard heaters the trick, then hot from. With wifi and set your fixed thermostat level 50 until the room is at wires... With wifi and set your fixed thermostat level 50 through it when you start working on it it can a. The correct amperage if it is at the wires and how they connect to your electrical components odor it... Repair website heater depends on the programible thermostat to the off position room in your room be. Sure sure you do n't have a knob but thats not the case fins and coils tubes... Power to the wall near the floor, providing heat from the boiler continues until the room at! Knobs are much easier to work with and control compared to the thermostat off then! Ground up they are easy to install and maintain than forced-air systems lot of experience for this job as mentioned! Instructions for checking your thermostat, wherein the leads of the zone.! Near the floor, providing heat from the ground and upward, so the shouldnt! The cost of installing a baseboard heater that & # x27 ; s running is. Seen baseboard heaters are very efficient, but only when it is hot... And immediate surroundings some of the common baseboard heater that doesnt have a come! To experiment a bit to find the right setting can draw only about half power. Thermostat accordingly at high settings, this indicates that the meter is 220 Volts use 120V! 4.72 in ) above baseboard heaters make the 6 oclock news result of dust and call in a technician the... Either shorted but most likely leaking and not turning off completely still functions, this indicates that reading!