View Full Version : How to convert from forced hot air to baseboard
Amy Golden
Jul 31, 2015, 07:15 AM
In the winter months our electric bill is outrageous and we were told it is our forced hot air heating system that is using a lot of our electricity. I wanted to know if it would be worth changing to baseboard heat. Thanks
ma0641
Jul 31, 2015, 02:11 PM
First you ask" how to do" and then "is it worth it". 2 different things. Electric baseboard? You think forced air is expensive, wait for your next electric bill after you change. Water baseboard? Buy a boiler, buy the baseboard heaters, install. Never get your money back plus you lose the opportunity for AC. Do you have a heat pump? Gas forced air shouldn't raise the bill to "outrageous" costs.
joypulv
Jul 31, 2015, 02:40 PM
I have a propane warm air furnace.
My electric usage averages about 520 KWH in summer (no AC) and 650 in winter. I live in the highest electric cost state in the 48 states. CT. The last owner of my house spent a fortune to convert from electric baseboard to propane warm air vents.
Where do you live, how big is your house, and how many KWH do you use in January?
smoothy
Jul 31, 2015, 03:21 PM
If you think your forced air system is expensive as was said. Wait until you see what your electric bill is after you install baseboard heat. That's usually the choice of LAST resort because operating costs are the highest.
WHat you need is insulation... how much is in your attic now? DO you have 50 year old windows that don't seal well and cause drafts? I'd be looking everywhere else.
Do you have a heat pump that's not working well? also as was asked where exactly is this and what exactly do you have. "Forced hot air" covers almost every type system except boiler systems and baseboard electric heat.