Baseboard heaters are electric heaters that are primarily used to provide extra heat to parts of a building that are not getting enough heat. A bathroom in a garage, for example, generally doesn't get enough heat and one of these heaters can help warm that spot up.

A convection heater takes in cool air and heats it up. It does this by using a heated coil inside the unit. The hot air is then able to rise and heat the room or space. Convection heaters operate quietly and have a lower chance of becoming a fire hazard when compared to other types of heaters.

This type of heating system uses a furnace or heat pump to warm the air and releases it through ductwork and vents. Cold air is pulled into the system where it is filtered and heated. The filter gets rid of many allergens and dust that could be brought in with the air. It is the only energy efficient heating system that is able to combine heating and cooling.

Radiant heaters are a type of space heater that is able to produce infrared energy. This is the kind of heat you feel when you stand in the sun or sit near the flames in your fireplace. This energy then bounces off of a reflector and is absorbed by people or objects within the designated space. So instead of heating the air these heaters are directly warming people and objects.

BTU stands for British thermal unit which is a measurement of how much heat energy is used to raise the temperature of one pound of water. The ‘H’ refers to how many BTUs are used in an hour.

• Single Phase - a two wire alternating current (AC) power circuit that is commonly found in households and residential areas.
• Three Phase - a three wire alternating current (AC) that is generally found in commercial buildings due to it's power density and flexibility. This wire arrangement will provide 1.7 times more power than a single phase arrangement.

Many baseboard heaters simply need a place to be plugged in. Just remember to leave an inch or two of space between the bottom of the heater and the floor and not to put anything flammable near the heater. For the best performance, make sure that the heater is plugged into a dedicated circuit so that it isn't having to share power with other appliances or devices.

If you want a professional to install your heater for you, we encourage you to contact an electrician in your area for assistance.

• Choosing Between a Baseboard Heater and a Wall Heater
• How To Install a Single Pole Thermostat on a 240 Volt Baseboard Heater
• Natural Gas Heaters vs. Electric Heaters