Old-fashioned steam radiators have given way to longer, sleeker, lighter-weight and more efficient versions that run hot water through pipes housed in baseboard-like enclosures which hug the bottom of the wall. Hot water baseboard heat is similar to radiant floor heat but with lower initial installation costs; it doesn't require tearing up the flooring in an existing home and can be used where there isn't space for an under-floor installation.
Typical costs:
Installing a hydronic (hot water) baseboard heating system in a 1,400 square foot home runs about $6,000-$8,000.
What should be included:
Hydronic (hot water) baseboard heaters are relatively inconspicuous and don't have the fan noise of a forced-air system. They can be used to replace expensive-to-operate electric baseboard heaters where adding ducting for a forced-air system is cost-prohibitive, according to the US Department of Energy. These systems are relatively inexpensive to operate, are energy efficient and provide a constant flow of warm air, but can take time to heat up or cool down. Another disadvantage is that there's no way to add air conditioning to the system. The Eugene Water & Electric Board in Oregon provides an overview of hydronic systems.
These systems use a water heater system to heat water and a pump to circulate hot water, which is piped through enclosures styled to look like large decorative baseboards.
Get several estimates, making clear what is (and isn't) included in each quote. Request and check references; ask about the contractor's length and type of experience; and be sure they're properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state. See if there are any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
Got two quotes for adding a new hot water baseboard system to our home renovation. Both quotes came in similar and included the boiler and use Pex. Let's home the quotes are accurate!
Integrating In-floor heating with hot water baseboard heat
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Cornelius J McKenna Sr in Ontario, NY.
Posted: November 26th, 2009 07:11PM
Number of Rooms: 10
I have a 40 year old raised ranch with 3 zones of hot water baseboard heat. One zone is the entire 2nd level. One zone is the entire 1st level, and the 3rd zone is at the lower level, but it's a converted garage to an office area. My interest is in respect to the 2nd level bathroom. Currently, there is a hot water baseboard heater element in this bathroom, and I would like to install in-floor heating in this bathroom. Is it feasible to integrate in-floor heating with hot water baseboard? What I essentially saying is could I remove the baseboard element and divert the water throught coils in the bathroom? That took a lot of words of explanation, but I think it's not that complicated. Let me know what you think.
We have had baseboard forced hot water heat for at least 45 years and love it. When we remodeled we put in little units under the cabinets with a fan to blow the heat out through vents which is with the forced hot water heat. The fans have quit and we have not been able to find them. Do you have any suggestions? The water still runs through the pipes and keeps it somewhat wartm but is much better with a fan.