How To Maintain Your Baseboard Heater

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How To Maintain Your Baseboard Heater

A hydronic baseboard heater is a safe, effective, and affordable way to heat your home. To get the most out of your baseboard heater, you’ll want to take good care of it. There are several steps to maintaining a baseboard heater many homeowners tend to overlook, which can lead to the unit working less efficiently than it should be. In this guide, we'll explain how to maintain your baseboard heater, so you can ensure it’s working as intended.

Clean Your Heater

There's nothing worse than a baseboard heater clogged with dirt, dust, debris, and other contaminants. A dirty baseboard heater will look unsightly and probably won’t run very well, either. To keep your baseboard heater running safely and efficiently, thoroughly clean it at least once a year.

Before you start cleaning your baseboard heater, make sure to turn it off and wait for the heating element to cool. Once it is, go ahead and remove the heater cover. Get rid of any visible debris from inside the unit, and then vacuum any leftover debris with a soft brush vacuum attachment or a pressure steam cleaner, which is useful for cleaning the fins. If you notice any bent or damaged fins, you can straighten them out with a putty knife or needle-nose pliers. Don’t forget to wipe down the heater before replacing the cover and turning on your unit.

Bleed the Air

Another tip on how to maintain your baseboard heater is to occasionally bleed the air. If your baseboard heater isn't giving off a consistent amount of heat or is cold to the touch, it's a good sign that you need to bleed the unit. Bleeding removes any air that's been trapped in the lines, allowing water to flow correctly through the system. If you’re planning to bleed your unit, start by making sure it’s warmed up and at normal pressure. Place a cup or bowl under the spout to catch any water, and then slowly open the valve. Leave it open until all the air is released and only water is pouring out from the spout. Tighten the valve, and you're done! Repeat this process for any other baseboard heaters in your home.

Install a Baseboard Heater Cover

Your heater is will get getting rusty, dusty, and scratched over time—but there's one simple way that you can protect it. EZSnap™ Cover's custom baseboard heater covers are made from Epoxy powder-coated galvanized steel, which is an extremely durable material that won't change or fade in color, rust, chip, or dent. You can install and remove them in a snap, so there's no need to worry about the installation process. If you need a baseboard heater solution that’ll last you a lifetime, come and shop with us today!

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How to measure baseboard heaters:

Step 1
HOW TO MEASURE

Always measure left to right, and twice for accuracy

Floor to top of Fintube | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Covers

Step 1: Floor to top of Wall plate

Measure the height from the floor to the top of the metal wall plate.

Follow our guide for baseboard heater cover measurement:

Any baseboard larger than 7 3/8" (188 mm) will be compatible with our standard cover.

Any measurement greater than 9 3/8" (238 mm) will fit our tall cover.

Fin Tube Height | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Covers

Step 2: Bottom of Fintube to Top of Wall Plate

Measure from the bottom of the finned tube heating element to the top of the metal wall plate,

A measurement of 5 1/2" to 6 3/4" (140 mm – 172 mm) will fit our standard cover.

A measurement of 7 1/2" to 8 3/4" (191 mm – 222 mm) will fit our tall cover.

Depth | Measure | EZ Snap™ Baseboard Heater Cover

Step 3: Back Wall to Front of Fintube

Measure the distance from the wall or the metal wall plate attached to the wall, to the outside of the finned tube heating element.

Any measurement of less than 3 1/8" (76 mm) inches from the wall will fit our

standard cover.

Any measurement of less than 3 1/8" (76 mm) inches from the wall will fit our tall cover.

Step 2
DETERMINE IF BRACKETS ARE NECESSARY

Always measure left to right, and twice for accuracy

Wall Widget

EZ Snap™ Wall Widgets are used when your old or existing wall back plate has been removed or if you have to hang your new cover 1 inch or higher to bring them up to a height that will fit our installation guidelines. Just measure your overall desired height, subtract 1", drill a hole, preferably in a stud and attach it to the wall with the included screw.

Floor Fidgets

EZ Snap™ Floor Fidgets easily raise your new covers ¾ inch to compensate for any ¾ inch floor (wood, tile, or other) that has been installed any time since your baseboard heater was originally installed. May be used for any reason when the overall height has been shortened and the total height is less than 7-½ inches for standard height or 9-½ inches for the TALL height EZ Snap™ BaseBoard Covers. Just use the self-tapping screws to secure them to the top of your existing wallplate.

Wall Contraptions

EZ Snap™ Wall Contraptions are used when your wall back plate has been completely removed. EZ Snap™ Wall Contraptions receives your EZ Snap™ BaseBoard Cover and keeps your aluminum fin tube from sagging. These completely replace your wall back plate. To install, slide up from the bottom and make sure the top is at your desired height. Screw to the wall, then bend the front finger up to hold the fin tube in place.