Electric Baseboard Heaters

[Lithium1994]

I have to install a baseboard heater in a 7'x9' residential room. How would I go about calculating what size heater to pick up. Thanks for any help.

 

[mdshunk]

Two ways... do a full blown Manual J calculation or just use the "one watt per cubic foot" rule of thumb and make it easy on yourself. In your case, considering 8 foot lids, we'd be talking about a 500 watt heater.

 

[wbalsam1]

In NY, we have to be able to comply with the Energy Code in order to obtain a permit to install a baseboard electric resistant heater. Used to be able to just figure 12 watts per square foot and go with it, but now the insulation has to meet certain minimums. I can't remember tonight what it is but it seems like it's R 26 in the walls and R 49 in the ceilings. I might be off on this, though. I'll check tomorrow and edit my post if necessary.

 

[Greg1707]

baseboard heaters in series

baseboard heaters in series

BTW, At Home Depot I was looking at a very nice book on wiring. There was a chapter on installing baseboard heaters. There was a diagram showing how to install baseboard heater in parallel. On the next page there was a diagram showing how to install baseboard heaters in series. I have never heard of this. Is this possible and if so what are the issues involved?

 

[roger3829]

I have to install a baseboard heater in a 7'x9' residential room. How would I go about calculating what size heater to pick up. Thanks for any help.

I have always used 10 watts per/sqft.

 

[Lxnxjxhx]

baseboard heaters in series

baseboard heaters in series

Like Christmas lights in series; when one burns out you don't know which it is.
Also there are power sharing issues with running loads in series.
And, I don't know if anyone makes heaters that run on 120/2 volts, 120/3 volts, 120/4 volts, etc.

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

BTW, At Home Depot I was looking at a very nice book on wiring. There was a chapter on installing baseboard heaters. There was a diagram showing how to install baseboard heater in parallel. On the next page there was a diagram showing how to install baseboard heaters in series. I have never heard of this. Is this possible and if so what are the issues involved?

Are you sure the second illustration wasn't showing how to wire baseboard heaters in tandem?

 

[LarryFine]

On the next page there was a diagram showing how to install baseboard heaters in series. I have never heard of this. Is this possible and if so what are the issues involved?

Are you sure the second illustration wasn't showing how to wire baseboard heaters in tandem?

Right. They may have been physically "in series", but I can't imagine any manufacturer would recommend wiring two 120v heaters in series on 240v. Can you tell us more about the book?

 

[marissa2]

For a room with a standard ceiling I use 10 watts per square foot, for higher ceilings I use 12 watts per square foot
Lou

 

[Lithium1994]

Thanks guys for all your help. finshed the job last weekend, and the homeowner is happy. thanks again for the help