The unfortunate result can be house fires, which commonly start when curtains get too close to these heaters. To avoid this potentially deadly problem, keep curtains and other flammable items at least 12 inches away from baseboard heaters.
Is it safe to hang curtains over baseboard heaters?
Keep drapes and curtains at least 8-10″ above electric baseboards, and/or at least 3″ in front of them with 1″ floor clearance (to allow air to circulate). Don’t locate curtains or drapes directly over or in front of electric heaters.
Can baseboard heaters catch curtains on fire?
Placing objects too close to the baseboard heater isn’t just a problem for airflow, but it also creates a potential fire hazard if those objects are potentially flammable under enough heat. If you have curtains that hang near or above your heater, make sure they are not close enough to touch.
How do you hang curtains on a baseboard heater?
When hanging curtains in front of baseboard heaters, the curtains should fall 1″ from the floor and hang 2-3″ from the edge of the heater.
How far away should things be from a baseboard heater?
6 inches
Baseboard Heater Side Clearance
Drapes, furniture, and other combustible materials should be at least 6 inches away from each side of a baseboard heater.
Can curtains catch fire from a radiator?
Curtains can catch fire from electric radiators if the radiator is close to a curtain made of flammable material. Water radiators usually don’t get hot enough to cause curtains to catch fire, but the radiator could still burn any fragile materials nearby.
How high above a baseboard heater should curtains be?
6. Window coverings keep cool air out, but can block your heaters. The bottom of your drapes should end at least 10 centimetres (four inches) above your heaters or, if your drapes run floor-to-ceiling, at least three centimetres above the floor.
Are baseboard heaters fire hazards?
Baseboard heaters are very efficient, but they can be a serious fire hazard if used carelessly. Common sense can prevent a baseboard heater fire. Any time a flammable object comes in contact with a heater, a fire could result.
Do baseboard heaters get hot enough to start a fire?
Bottom line; these line voltage electricity suckers get really hot and if flammable materials get close enough, a fire can result. Hot water baseboard heaters on the other hand run at much lower temperatures.
Can you hang curtains over hot water baseboard heaters?
In forced hot-water baseboard heaters, hot water in the baseboard unit heats the incoming air. Naturally, hot-water baseboard heaters can become quite hot. For safety’s sake, you shouldn’t have anything within 12 inches of a unit. As fabric can be a fire hazard, you must keep your curtains away from a baseboard heater.
Can you hang long curtains over a radiator?
Floor-length curtains work best with radiators under the windows, but closing them means they’ll block the heat generated by the radiator. Generally, pairing up floor-length curtains with other window coverings can do the trick.
Are baseboard heaters hot to the touch?
Baseboard heaters are very hot to the touch, and young children who touch baseboard heaters when they are turned on may suffer burns. Children who are just learning to crawl and stand are most at risk, as they may use the baseboard heater to pull themselves up.
Can baseboard heaters cause carbon monoxide?
There is nothing in any form or fashion in a baseboard heater (as shown) that could Possibly generate any carbon monoxide poisoning. They are heated by electricity or hot water flowing through them, they are not normally gas fired units.
Are new baseboard heaters more efficient?
Are new baseboard heaters more efficient? Since all-electric baseboard heaters convert 100 percent of the electricity they use into heat, purchasing a newer baseboard heater won’t make it more efficient than an older one.
Is it safe to put a blanket on a radiator?
Covering your radiator is completely safe. “Radiators only get as hot as about 215 degrees,” Holohan says, “which isn’t nearly hot enough to start a fire.” However, be careful not to use certain synthetic fabrics (like fleece or polyester), which might melt. I’d recommend sticking with cotton or wool.
How much electricity does a baseboard heater use?
How much do electric heaters cost to run? That all depends on how often —and at what temperature—you run your baseboard heaters. Running a single baseboard heater for 24 hours a day would use 333.49 kWh of electricity, according to BCHydro.
Why do baseboard heaters smell?
Baseboard heaters may emit a metallic, burning odor when first turned on in the season. The burning odor emanates from the burning off of the factory coating applied on its parts. This may take more than one heating season to dissipate.
How can I make baseboard heat more efficient?
7 baseboard heating efficiency tips
- Reduce window drafts.
- Adjust the thermostat to your day.
- Practice the virtue of patience.
- Get air flowing.
- Keep them clean.
- Consider programmable thermostats.
- Heat by zone.
How hot is the water in baseboard heat?
180°
Typical hot water baseboard radiation systems use standard supply water temperatures of 180° which is circulated through the copper and aluminum fin tube piping arrangement to heat the desired space and returns back to the boiler at approximately 160° (20° Delta T).
Are baseboard heaters electric or gas?
Baseboard Heating Basics
Electric: The most popular baseboard heaters are electric. These systems house their heating elements in metal pipes, and each baseboard heater is paired with its own thermostat. Hot Water: There are also hydronic or hot water baseboard heaters.
Can curtains touch water radiators?
Curtains. Curtains should be long enough to cover your window, but not long enough that they hang over your radiators. While it’s very unlikely that a curtain will catch alight from being heated up to a high temperature, do you really want to take the risk.
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