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hbuilder · Jun 19, 2007, 01:59 PM

What would be the power requirement for a baseboard heater in a basement room of area about 250 sq ft. One side of the room (length = 16') has a standard walk out sliding glass door. I would prefer to stick with 120v device.

Here in Minnesota, outside temperature can go below zero F, during peak winter!

Thanks

tkrussell · Jun 19, 2007, 02:48 PM

One rule of thumb is 11 watts per square foot, which I think would apply to your situation ,round numbers between 2500 to 3000 watts. At 120 volts a 2500 watt heater will draw 20.8 amps, and a 3000 watt will draw 25 amps. Both will need a 30 amp circuit, with #10 wire and a single pole 330 amp breaker. You should be able to find a recess heater that will have a builtin thermostat and a blower fan.

Washington1 · Jun 19, 2007, 03:16 PM

I agree. I normally go 10w per sq, but it pretty much works out to be the same.
Each environment has it's unique requirements;)

hbuilder · Jun 20, 2007, 05:52 AM

Thanks guys!
I was hoping to get away with 12AWG. Good that I did not open the box!

hbuilder · Jul 25, 2007, 05:36 AM

All right, this is what I finally did.

Since most of the baseboard heaters work at 240v (in Home Depot & Menards), I wired two 240v receptacles with 12/2 AWG in the same circuit - one in family room and the other in bedroom.

Since it is a shared circuit between family room and bedroom all I have to make sure is that the total current does not exceed 20A, which is easier than leaving head-room in two different circuits.