Central heat vs electric floor board heaters?

Question

whats the big difference is one a lot cheaper to run?

Answer 1

The difference between the two systems is a centralized heater will heat the entire home, while the baseboard heat will warm only the room in which it is installed. The most common type of central heat is forced-air system. It will warm the air in the house. This may be beneficial if your home is unoccupied for long periods of time during the day (8 hours or more) as you can lower the temperature of the house while you are out, and raise the temp when you return. The warm air will circulate quicker, and you can warm the home quicker. It will feel warmer quicker, but the furniture, walls, and floor will feel cold. It will require adding ductwork to the home. With an air system, you can upgrade to central air conditioning as well.
If you have water or steam flooring, baseboard or radiator heat, You will need to keep the house at the same temperature during the heating season. The plus side is that the home will feel warmer, as the floor, walls & furniture will also hold heat. Piping will need to be run for these systems. The boiler will need monthly inspection and maintenance, some of which you can be trained to perform.
Electric floor board heaters are more energy efficient, that is, for every dollar you spend on electricity, will be directly used as heat for the space, not going up a chimney. Electric is becoming more and more expensive, and is not economically efficient. You can control individual units, and turn down rooms that are not being used, or set them lower at night and during the day when you are not at home. Electric floor board heaters will need to have electric power run to them, there is no exhaust and they also heat the floors, walls and furniture.
Cost of operation of any of these systems depends on your usage and fuel source. Even though fuel oil cost is rising, you get more heat per gallon of fuel oil than any other fuel. If they are all used in the exact same way, the central water boiler system will cost the most to install, but cost the least to operate over the long term. If you are planning to live in the house 15 years or more, this would be the way to go. If you are selling in 7 years or less (average turn time for USA home), go with the gas forced air system.

Answer 2

I agree wholeheartedly with the first answer. In addition, electric heaters are riskier, because draperies or clothing can fall onto them and cause a fire. Electric heaters are best used for quick warm ups, like I use one in the bathroom before I take a shower, because that room is always cold. ** In response to Polar Bear, it is true that electricity is 100% efficient, but usually the cost of the electricity is SO MUCH MORE than any other option, that it is still better to use other options. I pay less than 5 cents per KwH due to off peak electric (so electricity is half off), and it is still FAR more than my parents or brother pay for natural gas. (I don't have access to natural gas since I live in a rural area).

Answer 3

Electric baseboard heat is generally alot more expensive to run, expecially if you have an older home that only has a 100amp panel. Central is the way to go.

Answer 4

central heating is a lot cheaper than baseboard electric heat.if you have the option to go with gas,go with baseboard hot water heat.

Answer 5

YES!!!!! Baseboard heaters do NOT circulate the heat!!! Therefore it is NOT cost effective!!!!!