Baseboard heaters are a common way to heat homes. If you have them in your house, you may be considering either moving them or removing them entirely. They are a staple in older constructions and are still used today due to their affordability and easy installation.
Baseboard heaters can be moved or removed. Removing baseboard heaters can be done yourself with basic electrical and plumbing knowledge. Moving baseboard heaters may have limited options and difficulty will depend on whether you have an electric heater or a hydronic heater. Moving your baseboard heaters will require professional services.
Understanding a baseboard heater is crucial to properly move or remove it. Let’s learn more about these common devices.
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Removing Baseboard Heaters
There are two types of baseboard heaters. Before you start, you need to know which one you want to remove or move.
Both electric and hydronic heaters use aluminum fins to surround the heating element and facilitate the heating process. These heaters are generally located under windows and on an exterior or “cold” wall surface. As cold air falls, it is heated under the baseboard heater and then rises into the room as it warms up. This repeats until the room or area reaches the desired temperature.
Electric Baseboard Heater
Electric heaters are the most basic heaters for baseboards. The metal heating element inside is heated with electricity and connected to your house’s electrical system. The interior of the electric baseboard heater works similarly to that of a space heater, except for the aluminum fins and their construction, which allow cold air to flow through the unit and be heated. When working with an electric baseboard heater, you will need some electrical knowledge.
Hydronic Baseboard Heaters
Hydronic or hot water baseboard heaters have the same mechanics as electric heaters but are connected to the house’s boiler system. Instead of heating the core with electricity, these heaters circulate hot water through copper pipes surrounded by the aluminum fins that are the hallmark of these heating units.
All piping involved in these heaters runs directly back to the boiler in the house. When working with these types of heaters, you need installation knowledge.
Removing Electric Heaters
- You must cut off the power supply to the heating unit via your main switch before you begin removing the unit. This is a crucial step and ensures your safety as well as the safety of the house.
- You need to access the junction box of the heater. This is where the electrical wires connecting the heater to the house’s power grid are located. The junction box is located on either the right or left side of the heater.
- Double-check that you have completely turned off the electric heater. You can do this using a tool called a voltmeter. When testing the voltage, you should make sure your voltmeter shows 0 volts.
- You need to disconnect the wires from the terminal screws. You can do this by removing the terminal screws with a screwdriver.
- Locate any screws or bolts holding the heaters in place or attaching them to the wall. Remove screws and bolts with the proper tools.
- Work with a putty knife or a small pry bar along the top of the heater to loosen it from the wall and gently pull until the heater comes loose from the wall.
- You must cover the otherwise live electrical wires with wire caps.
Source: Hunker.com
For a visual demonstration on how to remove your electric baseboard heaters, watch this video.
It is always best to consult a professional electrician if you are not familiar with these tools or procedures.
Removing Hydronic Heaters
- You must turn off the power supply to the heater from both your breaker and the boiler. Be sure to wait until the boiler and the water in the heating pipes have cooled down.
- You need to cut the supply and return lines to the boiler. Once finished, cap the pipes with pipe caps.
- Remove the baseboard from the wall by removing the screws or bolts that hold it in place. You may need to remove the cover to access these screws. Try to leave the heater slightly above the floor.
- Cut the pipes at both ends of the heater with a pipe saw to remove the heater from the wall. Cut the pipes as close to floor level as possible and cap them with pipe caps.
Source: Homesteady.com
It is best to consult a plumber or professional when removing or replacing hydronic baseboard heaters.
Moving Baseboard Heaters
Sometimes, you may want to move your baseboard heaters to a different location. Keep in mind that the placement of your baseboard heaters is a crucial part of the heating system’s functionality. They provide the greatest efficiency on an exterior wall and under a window. You may choose to utilize existing electrical and plumbing setups to avoid ending up with a massive remodeling project.
Moving Electric Heaters
Moving an electric baseboard heater is easier to handle compared to a hydronic heater. If you are trying to move the heating unit just a few meters from its original location, you can use both the existing wiring and maintain the efficiency of the heating system.
You will need to add wiring to the existing electrical setup and make sure to create a new junction box. It is best to hire an electrician for this project to ensure you follow the proper regulations and that the reused heater functions correctly.
Moving Hydronic Heaters
Your hot water baseboard heaters entail a complicated array of piping. To move these heaters, you will need all new supply and return lines as well as the pipe that acts as the heating element. This requires a significant amount of expertise and minor construction work.
You may need to open up floors and ceilings. The materials and pipes needed for the job can be expensive. A qualified plumber is required for this job. Moving your hydronic baseboard heaters may not be the best option.
Upgrading Your Existing Baseboard Heaters
Older homes are the most common places to find baseboard heaters. For this reason, they can be cumbersome and not aesthetically pleasing. They are generally made of metal and tend to rust over the years, and it can be difficult to paint and maintain them properly. They also dent easily over time, and depending on how they are vented, this can result in your heating system being less efficient.
If you are considering moving or relocating your existing baseboard heaters for these reasons, there is another option to consider. You can easily update and modernize the appearance of your baseboard heaters with pre-made baseboard heater covers.
These covers come in a variety of styles, colors, and wood grain finishes. They are typically made of high-quality plastics, making them rust resistant, dent resistant, and very easy to maintain. They can also increase the efficiency of your heaters with openings that are more open and upward-facing to facilitate the rising of warm air.
Baseboard heater covers are a simple and often more cost-effective option for updating your baseboard heaters.