Heat Pump Water Heaters take in warm air from your home to generate hot water. Whether you power them with electricity of gas, how efficient they are really depends on how you heat your home. Where is your home located? Are you switching your heat to electric as well? And how clean is the electricity in the grid where you are? Heat pumps are a very efficient way to generate heat and can save money, but there are subtleties that will determine if its really a wise investment for you that will offer a reasonable return on investment time period. Read more here about the hybrid heat pump water heater we installed to help achieve LEED V4 Platimum in a demonstration home –
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Air to air heat pump and heat pump water heater working in tandem
As for tankless heaters, they can sometimes be beneficial but they have draw backs, you can read about the pros and cons here –
Are tankless on-demand water heaters a good idea?
Once you get through those articles you should have a better idea of how much sense they make, we can help you further from there, and also check out our buying guide to find the best heat pumps here .
Thanks for your question, and I would start here in general terms of efficiency in heat delivery - there is no great difference in the energy efficiency between air heated floors or hydronic (liquid) radiant floors, at least when they are heated with the same fuel. Meaning – a boiler heating water that is circulated through radiant tubing in a concrete floor will not be any more or less efficient that a boiler heating a water coil that blows air through a floor.
The fuel source (gas, electricity, propane etc) will affect cost and efficiency, but differences in how you deliver heat isn’t as big a factor in determining efficiency. This page discusses the differences and pros and cons of each system –
Under floor heating systems - which is best, hydronic, electric wire or air heating tubes?
Moving into a solar solution though and choosing between a solar water heater and a solar air heater, there you would for sure have more variables in terms of the initial cost of the system, return on investment time, maintenance and lifespan.
I assume you saw our page on solar air heated radiant slab on grade floor. I would personally lean towards that because they address a lot of the issues that come up with solar thermal water heaters – read more here, which can have a lot of maintenance issues. The thermal solar air panels we installed in that prefab kit house obviously don’t leak water, freezing is not a concern, and even summer overheating has been solved because that system has been adapted to generate solar hot water in summer in part to cool the system.
Solar thermal water heaters can, in a bizarre twist, need to be covered often during summer to avoid overheating. I hope this helps, check out those pages and if you have more questions let us know, but include your climate zone as well and we can better help you decide.
Being a two part question I wouldn’t really say yes to using it for both, but let’s start with the pool.
Yes, you can use a thermal solar water heater to heat a pool. The question is are you looking for a commercial solution, meaning a thermal solar panel to buy, or were you looking for instructions on how to build a solar thermal water heater?
There are commercially available solar pool heaters, like the Vitosol solar thermal panel from Viessmann; we like this one in particular because it has its own ‘built-in’ overheating protection.
As for directing solar-heated water to your garage in the winter when you aren’t using your pool, that would significantly complicate matters as you would need a glycol mix for your panel to avoid freezing in the winter, and you wouldn’t want to swim in that. I would recommend you check in on the Viessmann company page (or others) to check how their panels work for pools.
The proposition of using one panel for two separate seasonal uses is not impossible, but it would likely be an awful lot of work and maitenance. I think you would need to include a liquid-filled tank to use as a thermal battery heat exchanger, and run both your pool water and floor glycol through it in copper tubes. Alternatively you would probably need to remove the glycol in summer and flush the system to put it to use for heating pool water. There are for sure people out there that would be a fun weekend activity and have the skills to pull it off, but that's not everyone.
So I would propose you look for heating solutions separately -
Commercially available solar water heaters are great, but they don’t come cheap. On the DIY thermal solar panel side, an affordable and relatively easy solution would to build your own solar water heater with a coil of black PVC Pipe.
That is a rather simple matter of having a coil of tube facing south to pump water through and then return to your pool. How ‘easy’ this is depends on your plumbing skill level, though I’m sure you could find a local plumber willing to whip up a makeshift system for much cheaper than you would be able to purchase and install a panel for.
DIY solar pool heater
But a solution like that wouldn’t necessarily be a useful option as a solar floor heater in winter given the risk of freezing, also that it would likely hold snow, rendering it useless.
As for your garage floor, it really depends on how much heat you are looking to inject, whether its just to melt snow and keep it above freezing, or if it is intended to be kept at a comfortable temperature of humans. I would point your attention to the solar air heated radiant floor that we just built for our new demonstration house. it would be easier I think to provide solar heat to an air heated floor than hydronic.
Below are a few more pages that may help you sort this all out, good luck and please let us know what you finally decide on. And if anyone else out there has other ideas please let us know in the comment section below!
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DIY Solar Air Heater
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Solar Thermal Water Heaters
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Solar Radiant Heated Floor Kit - Slab on Grade for LEED, Passive, ZNE
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Heating a Swimming Pool: Top 10 cost efficient & Eco-friendly ways to heat pools
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All about Natural Swimming Pools
While furnaces steal the spotlight in bigger homes, baseboard heaters are a solid choice for smaller spaces or as a backup to your primary heating system.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about electric baseboard heaters. We’ll cover costs, billing, and the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for your home. Plus, we’ll share some top brands to make shopping easier.
Electric baseboard heating uses electric resistance to heat a room. Installed along walls or baseboards, these heaters generate warmth by converting electrical energy into heat. Currently, one-fourth of Canadian households use electric baseboards as their primary heating system.
They are suitable for small spaces or supplemental heating where ductwork isn’t an option, like basements, older homes, or garages.
Electric baseboard heaters use electric resistance heating, which means they convert electricity directly into heat. Here’s a breakdown of how they do it:
- Electric Current Flows: When you turn on the heater, electricity runs through a heating element inside the unit.
- Heating Element Warms Up: The element gets hot, like the coils on an electric stove, but it’s tucked safely inside the heater.
- Heat Radiates Out: Warm air naturally rises from the unit, spreading heat throughout the room. Since it’s convection-based, there are no fans or blowers to move air around—it all happens naturally.
- Cool Air Circulates Back: As the warm air rises, cooler air near the floor is pulled back toward the unit to be heated again.
Since each unit operates independently, you can control the temperature room by room.
Electric baseboard heaters come in two main types, each with its way of heating and unique benefits. Here’s a closer look at both:
Convection heaters are the simplest and most common option. These heaters use electric coils inside to generate heat. Once the coils warm up, the heat spreads to the room. They’re great if you need something affordable and straightforward.
But there’s a catch—they cool down as quickly as they heat up. You’ll need to leave them on to keep the room warm, which can run up your electricity bill. If you’re on a tight budget and need a quick fix, convection heaters are a solid choice.
Hydronic heaters have a liquid—usually water or oil—sealed inside the system. When the liquid heats up, it warms the air around the heater. The liquid stays warm even after the heater shuts off, making them more efficient.
Read: Best Boiler Brands & Systems
However, they take longer to heat up and cost a lot more—sometimes four times the price of a convection heater. If you’ve got the budget and want something that keeps the heat going longer, hydronic heaters are worth a look.
However they do have some advantages over forced-air heating like generally providing more steady and even heating, being quieter, producing less dust.
Every heating option has its ups and downs, and electric baseboard heaters are no different. Here’s a quick look at what makes them shine—and where they might fall short:
When buying an electric baseboard heater, you need to think about your space, your budget, and how you plan to use it. Here are the key things to consider:
Measure your space before buying. Electric baseboard heaters are rated by wattage; the general rule is 10 watts per square foot. For example, a -watt heater can cover a 150-square-foot room. If the room is poorly insulated or has high ceilings, you might need a more powerful unit.
Here’s the wattage required for different room sizes and conditions:
The table wattage values are based on the following assumptions:
These values are general guidelines and might vary depending on your local climate or specific building materials.
The type of electric baseboard heater you choose—convection or hydronic—depends on your heating goals, budget, and space specifics. Here’s how to decide:
Convection heaters are best for people on a tighter budget or those looking for a quick, simple heating solution. Convection heaters are the more affordable option, often costing between $50 and $150 per unit, depending on the size and brand.
They’re great for small spaces like bedrooms, home offices, or any room where you need warmth fast. However, they aren’t as efficient in the long run since the heat dissipates quickly when you turn them off.
If you plan to use it as a backup or supplemental heater in rooms you don’t occupy all day; convection heaters are a wise choice. Just keep in mind that they’ll add more to your electricity bill, especially in colder months.
Hydronic heaters are the way to go if you’re thinking long-term or need primary heating. These units are more expensive up front, usually ranging from $200 to $500 per heater. Small space heater models are available, but central hydronic heating requires a boiler system and costly piping and installation. The extra cost is justified because they retain heat longer, even after the thermostat turns off.
While they take longer to heat up, the savings on your energy bills over time can help offset the higher initial cost.
For electric baseboard heating, two main options are built-in thermostats and wall-mounted thermostats.
Built-in thermostats are integrated directly into the heater. They’re ideal for smaller spaces or areas where precise temperature control isn’t critical, like guest rooms, garages, or basements.
One downside is that you have to manually adjust the settings on each heater, which can be inconvenient if you have multiple heaters. Additionally, built-in thermostats aren’t as accurate as wall-mounted options.
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Wall-mounted thermostats are installed on the wall (52 to 60 inches above the floor) and connected to one or more heaters via cables. They offer more precise control, especially if you’re heating larger areas or need consistent temperatures. Wall thermostats often cost $50 to $150, depending on whether they are manual, programmable, or smart models.
Programmable thermostats allow you to set heating schedules, which is great for saving energy when you’re not home.
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing an electric baseboard heater, especially if you have kids, pets, or limited space. Heaters can be made significantly safer if they include certain features like:
Overheat Protection: The system automatically shuts off if the internal components overheat. This not only reduces the risk of fire but also extends the lifespan of the heater. Most modern baseboard heaters include this feature but always double-check before buying.
Tip-Over Switches: While baseboard heaters are typically stationary, some models or portable units may have tip-over protection. The safety switch automatically turns off the heater if it’s accidentally knocked over, which is especially useful in homes with active children or pets.
Cool-Touch Exteriors: Heaters with cool-to-touch exteriors are designed to prevent burns, even when the unit is on full blast. Although cool-touch models may cost slightly more, the added safety makes them a wise investment for family homes.
Electricity costs and overall heating costs can vary widely across Canada, and that plays a big role in deciding if an electric baseboard heater is a cost-effective option for you. In Quebec, where electricity is the cheapest in the country, it’s no surprise that almost two-thirds of households rely on electric heating. In fact, 58% use electric baseboard heaters.
In provinces with higher electricity rates, like Ontario or British Columbia, the story is different. If you’re in these areas, electric baseboard heaters might still work as a supplemental option for heating specific rooms, but they can get expensive as a primary heat source.
Electricity rates may also vary based on the time of day or your total usage.
To figure out how much it costs to run your electric baseboard heater, use this formula:
Heating Cost per Day = (Wattage ÷ ) × Hours Used × Cost per kWh
Let’s say you’re in Quebec, where electricity costs about 7.8¢ per kWh, and you have a -watt heater that runs for 8 hours a day.
So, running a -watt heater for 8 hours a day in Quebec would cost 93.6¢ (less than $1).
Installing an electric baseboard heater involves two main steps:
While mounting the heater can be tackled by anyone with basic DIY skills, the electrical or plumbing connections typically require a licensed professional. In some areas, you may also need to secure a permit before starting the installation.
Here’s what you need to know for a safe and effective installation:
With regular maintenance, you can ensure electric baseboard heaters operate safely and effectively throughout the heating season. Here are some practical tips:
Here are all the costs associated with installing an electric baseboard heater in Canada:
Electric baseboard heaters in Canada typically range from $150 to $550 per unit, depending on the size, type, and brand.
The length of the heater plays a significant role in determining the price. Units range from shorter models (around 24 inches) designed for small spaces to longer ones (up to 96 inches) for larger rooms.
Electricians in Canada usually charge between $50 and $170 CAD per hour, depending on their experience and location. Here’s how these costs can break down:
Permit fees for installing electric baseboard heaters can vary depending on your locality. You may need a permit in many areas if the installation involves significant electrical work, such as adding a dedicated circuit or upgrading your electrical panel.
When budgeting for electric baseboard heater installation, it’s wise to account for overages—unexpected costs that can arise during the project. These might include:
Read more: Furnace Prices in Canada (Updated for )
The total cost of installing electric baseboard heaters depends on the size of your home and the number of units needed. Larger homes require more heaters, which increases both material and labour costs.
Here’s an estimate based on typical home sizes in Canada:
The cost of electric baseboard heaters varies depending on the type, size, and brand. Here are all the factors that could contribute to getting you the best deal:
For Canadians, the best months to buy electric baseboard heaters are April through August. During this time, demand for heating equipment is low, and retailers often run clearance sales to make room for seasonal inventory.
Additionally, electricians are typically less busy, which could help you save on installation costs.
Smart Thermostats cost more upfront but offer advanced features like scheduling, remote control via apps, and energy usage tracking. These can help you optimize heating and reduce long-term energy costs. However, expect to pay $100–$300 per thermostat in addition to installation fees.
If you stick with built-in thermostats, you’ll save on upfront costs, as they’re included with the heater. However, these may lead to higher energy bills over time.
Installing electric baseboard heaters may require extra equipment, depending on your home’s layout and heating needs. Here are some common add-ons to consider:
Here’s how electric baseboard heaters stand in comparison to other heating options:
Electric baseboard heaters are much cheaper to install than heat pumps. The installation typically costs a fraction of what a heat pump system requires, as it doesn’t involve ductwork or outdoor units.
However, the lower initial cost comes with a trade-off. Electric baseboard heaters are less energy-efficient than heat pumps, leading to higher utility bills over time.
This is because resistance heaters, like baseboard heaters or electric furnaces, are only able to emit the heat energy that can be converted from the electric current and so they can never be more than 100% efficient (and in reality, slightly less than that).
Whereas heat pumps work by essentially absorbing ambient heat from outside and moving it indoors, and so they are able to move more heat than what is contained in the energy they use to operate, and can therefore have an effective efficiency of more than 100%. This may seem counterintuitive but even though it may feel cold to us, there is still a lot of residual thermal energy in the outside air.
Think of it a bit like a large fuel tanker truck that is able to transport more fuel than what the truck’s engine is consuming.
Gas furnaces have a higher upfront cost, with installation typically ranging from $4,000 to $7,000 or more, depending on the size of the home and the complexity of the ductwork. However, they are far more efficient for heating larger spaces and homes. Natural gas tends to be cheaper than electricity in most parts of Canada.
Known for its durability and performance, this series provides reliable heating solutions for various room sizes. Their 4-foot, W, 120V model offers a stylish design and efficient convection heating, suitable for residential and commercial applications.
Cadet has been a Vancouver-based baseboard manufacturer since . It offers efficient heating with a compact design and is available in multiple lengths and wattages. The 36-inch, 750W, 240V model is ideal for mid-sized rooms. It provides quiet operation and easy installation, making it a popular choice among homeowners.
Dimplex heaters feature a sleek profile and efficient heating. Their 240V, 500W model is suitable for smaller spaces. Its compact size allows for versatile placement, and it provides quick and efficient convection heating.
Ouellet baseboard heaters are manufactured in Canada. They are known for their reliability and come in various wattages to suit different room sizes. They offer robust construction and efficient heating performance, making them a dependable choice for Canadian winters.
Electric baseboard heaters are not one-size-fits-all, but they can be an excellent option in the right circumstances.
It is right for you if:
Thinking about installing an electric baseboard heater yourself? Mounting it to the wall might be manageable if you’re good with tools, but what about the wiring? It must be done right to avoid problems like overheating or electrical issues.
Plus, in some areas, you might need a legal permit to do the work. If something goes wrong, it can cost you way more than hiring a professional.
If you want your baseboard heater installed without any hassles, get a free quote today and let the pros take care of it.
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