The most popular alternative to baseboard heaters is a ductless heat pump, which ENERGY STAR says can use up to 60% less energy than standard electric radiators. This guide also covers solar, furnaces, wall heaters, wood, pellet stoves and radiant heaters.
Although you may have had a good experience with the baseboard heating system, it might be time to consider a change.
After using a baseboard heater for over six years, I’ve used other alternatives that seem to work better.
Many people fear switching their heating systems because of up-front installation costs, but this article will show you which alternatives don’t require a considerable investment.
Before talking about better options, let’s quickly reveal some of the drawbacks of baseboard heaters:
Drawbacks of Baseboard Heaters
- Noise – Baseboard heating systems are known to be noisy, disrupting the peace of mind when casually resting in your home.
- Inconsistent temperature control – In most cases, your baseboard heater won’t have a consistent temperature control unless you have a proper insulation and voltage thermostat connection.
- Not so safe – This type of heating is too hot to touch, and if kids and pets can reach it, it becomes a safety concern.
- Skin irritation – As baseboard heaters produce arid heat, people with sensitive skin can experience skin, eyes, or nose irritation. A humidifier is a must-have.
- Takes up space – They take up much space and limit where to position other furniture.
Alternatives To Baseboard Heaters
Ductless Heat Pumps
Ductless heat pumps are the most popular alternative to baseboard heaters, and it’s because of their efficiency.
They can cool and heat your home. ENERGY STAR says certified ductless heat pumps use up to 60% less energy than standard electric radiators, though your savings depend on your home and climate.
One thing I love about ductless heat pumps is that they don’t take up a lot of space and are much quieter.
You have better control over the temperature in a smaller room, and because they are ductless, they are a stand-alone unit.
Solar Heat
Solar heating works by absorbing solar energy to heat a fluid in the system, which is then transferred to a storage system for later use.
Solar heating can save money over the long term, but how much depends on your climate, your home and what you pay for installation. However, installation costs are high and require a more significant up-front investment.
Get several quotes and check current incentives before you decide, because installation costs vary a lot by home.
If you’re looking to save money in the future – this is a great option.
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High-Efficiency Furnace
You might have heard bad things about furnaces, but new models are a lot more efficient and save you much more than models from the past.
ENERGY STAR says certified gas furnaces are up to 16 to 18 percent more efficient than standard new models, depending on the region. It will help you reduce energy consumption and costs while reducing your carbon footprint.
One thing we have to add is that high-efficiency furnaces are a lot less noisy than baseboard heating systems.
Wall Heaters
Gas wall heaters, also known as wall furnaces, are mounted on the wall and vented directly through the same wall. Electric wall heaters mount on the wall too but need no vent.
They don’t use any ductwork for transferring warm air, and their simple installation made them very popular in the last decade.
Although this is a great alternative, I don’t recommend it for larger living rooms as it won’t be so efficient.
One of the best wall heaters that are affordable and very efficient is the Heat Storm Wi-Fi heater, which has everything you need.
Wall heaters work as direct heaters, so they’re less effective when you’re further away from that area. An electric wall heater turns electricity into heat just as an electric baseboard does, so it will not cut your bill the way a heat pump can.
Wood Heating
Wood heating is one of the most classic and “old school” ways to heat your home.
This can be done with wood stoves or wood-burning fireplace inserts that use wood logs to create the fire and transfer the heat throughout the house.
This is one of my favorite heating options if you don’t have a lot of rooms in your house. Not only does it heat the house quickly, but it gives you that cozy, warm feeling when you’re snuggled on your couch.
Ducted Heat Pumps
Generally, a heat pump will minimize the usage of your other unit while being very efficient for extra comfort.
The great thing about heat pumps is they can run off of electricity, so switching from baseboard heating isn’t a tough process.
They can transfer cool and warm air, making it a great year-round heating & cooling solution.
I have to mention that heat pumps require a slightly different kind of maintenance than baseboard heating. ENERGY STAR says to clean heat pump filters when they are visibly dirty or when the filter light comes on, and to have the system serviced regularly.
Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves are highly efficient when heating smaller spaces such as bedrooms.
The funny thing about pellet stoves is that people who are “tech geeks” can’t stand them, but I’m still a big fan of them due to their effectiveness.
Pellet stoves have an easy step-by-step installation, but they need a vent and clearances to anything that can burn, so follow your manual and local code or hire a professional.
Pellet stoves need regular cleaning and a power supply for the feed and fan, so read the manual before you commit.
If you’re considering buying this alternative, I recommend reading an in-depth buying guide about pellet stoves.
Radiant Heaters
The radiant heater, or infrared heater, uses infrared radiation to warm the people and objects in front of it rather than the air.
These are among the quietest alternatives to baseboard heating, with no fan noise.
Although many people are comparing ceramic and radiant heaters, I can tell you that you won’t regret buying a radiant heating system.
The radiant heaters’ light isn’t visible to our eyes, so we can only feel them.
They usually use electricity to heat, but some models use propane to work.
For an example of an electric infrared heater, see our Heat Storm Wi-Fi heater review.
I hope you learned something new in this article and that you’ll find an alternative that fits your needs.
Gas, electric, heat pump, propane, oil and kerosene ranked by cost per million BTU at your state's prices.
Content writer from Croatia. Dominic studies Information Science at the University of Sarajevo, which helps him research and organize his work.
