The electric hydronic baseboard heaters are an alternative to pure electric baseboard heaters. They rely on heating water or other liquids contained inside the device to heat the surrounding space. These are self-contained radiant heaters that install at the base of a wall and can produce long-lasting and consistent heating to a home.
We break down the list of the top six hydronic baseboard heaters on the market to help you find the right one for your home. However, if you’re in a hurry, our top choice is the Fahrenheat PLF Liquid Filled Electric Hydronic Baseboard Heater.
Our Picks for Best Electric Hydronic Baseboard Heaters
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The Top Hydronic Baseboard Heaters Reviews
1. Fahrenheat PLF Liquid Filled Electric Hydronic Baseboard Heater — Best Overall
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You’ll find numerous models of Fahrenheat Hydronic Baseboard Heaters included on our list. This model, in particular, stands tall amongst the competition for its incredible capabilities and features.
Despite being a powerful heating system, it’s designed in a way that allows you to install this model anywhere in your home. This is largely due to the use of a hydronic design and a safety grill that prevents the diffusion of heat to the surface of the baseboard. It means this product should be completely safe for use around children and pets.
The manufacturers have opted for a low-profile design that makes this model suitable for homes and commercial spaces alike.
Installing this device is also extremely easy. You can mount it onto any wall or place it flat against the floor on wood, carpet or even tiled surfaces.
Once the hydronic baseboard heater is up and running, you should immediately start saving on energy thanks to the unique design used by Fahrenheat. It’s meant to reduce wasteful on/off cycles and prevent overheating by alerting the user when the air intake is blocked.
Pros
- Safe to be installed anywhere in your home.
- Low-profile design.
- Easy to install.
- Alerts users when overheating occurs.
- Decreases energy usage.
- Quiet operation.
Cons
- Not ideal for large spaces.
2. Fahrenheat FHP1500TA Portable Baseboard Heater — Best for Large Spaces
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This model by Fahrenheat is a 58-inch version with a build to tackle large spaces. Despite its large dimensions and immense heating capabilities, this model sports a portable design that’s also lightweight and easy to conceal in your home.
Fahrenheat is known for producing energy-efficient products in the baseboard heater segment. This product belongs to a similar vein thanks to its ability to prevent unnecessary on/off cycles.
It’s also one of the quietest large heaters in the market today. Plus, it can run for extended periods without making the popping sounds associated with these types of appliances.
You’ll notice that it doesn’t utilize a fan in its design. This helps keep the noise levels down and prevents dust, pollen, and other impurities from circulating within a room.
Pros
- Hydronic format allows for safe installation at any location in your home or office.
- Low-profile design.
- Includes overheat and tip-over protection.
- Fire-reduction features.
- Noiseless operation.
- Ideal for big rooms.
Cons
- Can consume a lot of power.
3. Marley HBB750 Baseboard Heater — Best Value for Money
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The HBB50 model by Marley is a real feature-rich offering without being tagged with an exorbitant price, making this our best value for money selection.
It uses a natural convection airflow system to circulate the air in a given space, thereby preventing any dust or allergens from being kicked up in your room.
The hydronic baseboard system helps steadily distribute the heat in a room without allowing you to experience any drastic temperature swings. This is especially helpful when there are young children in your home who could get affected by the constant temperature fluctuations.
With the help of a fluid-immersed heating system, this model should keep a room warm long after the thermostat has been turned off. The energy efficiency of this process is truly remarkable in this model as it’s capable of converting every last bit of electricity into heat thanks to its impeccable design.
Pros
- Natural convection airflow system circulates air without disrupting dust.
- Produces steady warmth without temperature fluctuations.
- Fluid-immersed heating keeps the room warm for extended periods.
- Noiseless convection heater.
Cons
- Size is quite bulky.
4. Fahrenheat PLF1504 Baseboard Heater — Best Premium
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This is a premium offering by Fahrenheat that offers better returns than any of its other models, but it may set you back a premium price.
It features a compact design with a total weight of 22 pounds, making it sleeker than other models in this segment.
Despite its diminished size, it offers a 240-volt rating and a power output of 1500 watts. This means it should be competent enough to heat most rooms in the modern home.
It comes with a thermal shutoff switch. This helps protect the device from external power fluctuations or if it’s accidentally covered around the vents. The heater resumes its functions as soon as the normal temperature is achieved and when the vents are cleared.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Protected from overheating.
- Safe to be used around children and pets.
- Powerful heating system.
- Easy to install.
Cons
- Could seem noisy during startup to some.
5. Fahrenheat PLF754 Baseboard Heater — Best for Small Rooms
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This is an offering by Fahrenheat that’s ideal for small rooms and office spaces, as it’s been efficiently designed to tackle these dimensions. The styling is crisp, clean and contemporary with an attractive off-white finish in order to easily blend into most surroundings.
It features a uniquely designed heating element that’s completely immersed in a specially created heat transfer liquid. This maximizes the efficiency of this model and helps in the even distribution of heat.
The PLF754 can be mounted directly onto any surface, such as tiles or carpet. It also has a thermal cut-off safety feature to prevent accidental fires and overheating.
Pros
- Specially designed for small rooms.
- Simple and elegant design and finish.
- Unique heating element helps in even distribution of heat.
- Thermal cut-off safety feature.
Cons
- Lifespan may be shorter than anticipated.
6. Fahrenheat PLF504 Electric Baseboard Heater — Best Budget
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If you’re looking for an efficient and cost-effective product that can keep you warm without offering any hassles along the way, this budget selection by Fahrenheat could appeal.
You can easily install this model by simply wiring up and connecting this baseboard to your home thanks to its large wiring compartment, dual knockouts and built-in cable clamps.
You can offer a power connection on either side of this model, and even have the option of chaining multiple units together.
The fanless operation helps keep dust from circulating in your space, while the noiseless function should enable you to get a good night’s sleep in the warmth of this heater without interruptions.
Pros
- Noiseless operation.
- Fanless design.
- Overheat protection.
- Easy to install.
- Value for money.
Cons
- Not one of the best hydronic baseboard heaters for large spaces.
Pros and Cons
There are numerous advantages to picking up a good electric hydronic baseboard heater for your home, but there are also a few disadvantages to consider. We break down these crucial factors in the section below.
Pros of Hydronic Baseboard Heaters
Cost-Efficient
Hydronic baseboard heaters are extremely powerful, and they possess the ability to keep a room warm long after you turn off the thermostat. This is primarily down to the asbestos tube element used in most models that heats up quickly and stays heated for continued durations.
Thanks to this unique feature alone, you have the chance to drop a hefty fraction from your electricity bills as you’ll need to run the heaters for shorter periods every night.
Consistent Heating
Of all the baseboard heater variations currently available, hydronic models can maintain the highest level of consistency while heating a room.
The use of a sealed heating tube element within each model allows the device to convert almost all the electric power into heat. This, in turn, warms the water or liquid used in the model, and as the water runs through the entire system, it ends up dividing the heat across the house instead of focusing on one spot.
Most hydronic models also have large diameter reservoirs and an asbestos tube element that manages to maximize the volume of heat transfer. This helps maintain the heat of the water in the device for several hours after the thermostat has been switched off.
Quiet Operation
Electric baseboard heaters and forced air systems can be extremely noisy machines that are near-impossible to bear when you’re standing next to them. Electric hydronic models, on the other hand, are much quieter and cleaner in comparison.
This is because this version does not use a fan in its operation, and this component is the biggest culprit when it comes to raising the decibel levels. Thanks to this major change, you can now easily install one of these devices in your bedroom or living room.
Great Build Quality
Most of the best hydronic baseboard heaters are made out of steel components, and this dramatically improves their lifespan and efficiency in the long run. They also come with a front grill that prevents foreign materials from penetrating the internal heater components and causing breakdowns.
You can also pick up these models in a wide range of color options based on your home’s interior.
Safer Than the Alternative
You’ll find that hydronic heaters are far safer than their older cousins. This is thanks to the use of quality design elements such as baked enamel, which helps deter overheating.
The surface temperature of these models are also lower than pure electric versions, and this helps prevent any accidental burns that may occur with young kids in the house.
Clean
One last significant advantage is the fact that these devices tend to run far cleaner too. You won’t find any airborne particles being emitted out of the machine, and this is an absolute boon for those who have any breathing problems or allergies.
Cons of Hydronic Baseboard Heaters
Heating Time
Hydronic baseboard heaters can take a bit of time to get going, and this is considered a major con for some people. There is a new system that can now be installed to speed up heating times, but the downside is that it will add an extra expense to your project.
FAQs
What Size Hydronic Baseboard Heater Do I Need?
You can determine the size of the required hydronic baseboard heater by examining the size of your home. If you have an average home with R-11 insulation in the walls and R-19 insulation in the ceilings, you’ll need 10 watts per square footage.
Houses with poor insulation need roughly 12.5 watts per square foot, and modern homes with immaculate R-19 and R-38 insulation in the walls and ceilings will only need 7.5 watts of power.
Will Hydronic Baseboard Heaters Freeze?
No, hydronic baseboard heaters don’t freeze as they use a non-toxic transfer fluid that protects itself from freezing in low temperatures.
The Heat is On
The heating system in your home plays a crucial role in dictating your comfort levels during the winter. The best hydronic baseboard heaters are state-of-the-art systems that are an efficient and safe way of heating your home.
There are plenty of quality models to consider in the market today, and any one of our six selections should work nicely in your home. The Fahrenheat FHP1500TA Portable Baseboard Heater, however, is a master of large spaces, while the Fahrenheat PLF754 Baseboard Heater is the king of small rooms.
If you want a well-rounded product that pretty much works in most environments, we believe that the Fahrenheat PLF Liquid Filled Electric Hydronic Baseboard Heater ticks all the boxes. This is a superior product with high-ranking safety features and a low-profile design that can easily blend into the background while keeping you warm and cozy when it matters the most.
