| So what makes baseboard radiator heat a good | | | | The water follows the series of pipes, flowing to |
| option to pursue? The baseboards of your home | | | | the next radiator in the system where more heat |
| are a great place to install a heating system | | | | is extracted from the water and released into the |
| because of the principle that heat rises. Through | | | | room. By nature of the system, the last room in |
| the use of a baseboard radiator heat system | | | | the system receives the coolest water. Once it |
| your whole home will be able to be heated, from | | | | has run its course, the water goes back to the |
| the floor on up. Baseboard hot water heating | | | | boiler where it is heated and re-circulated again. |
| systems work well because the "radiators" that | | | | This is a closed system. All the water in the |
| bring warmth into the room are installed low to | | | | system remains in the system. The main water |
| the floor, typically along the baseboard; water is | | | | supply from the house is fed into the circulation |
| heated in a boiler tank in the utility room just like | | | | system through a pressure regulator so that any |
| the water used for the hot water plumbing in | | | | lost water is replaced instantly. |
| your house. This water is heated, either by gas, | | | | This is a great system for families like mine |
| oil or electricity in a system that is similar to, but | | | | where not everyone likes the same temperature. |
| separate from the water heater that supplies | | | | It is almost like having a different thermostat for |
| your plumbing system. These systems are clean | | | | each room of the house, but significantly less |
| because they are totally enclosed, so you do not | | | | expensive. However, not all baseboard radiator |
| have to worry about dusty air being blown | | | | heat systems have the problem of the water |
| through vents all over your house, and they are | | | | cooling significantly from the first radiator to the |
| extremely quiet because of the way they work. | | | | last. You can buy a system that has a flow |
| Let's take a quick look at how a baseboard | | | | control valve on each of the radiators which is |
| radiator heat system works, and why it may be | | | | adjusted so that a smaller amount of water flows |
| a good option for your home. We have already | | | | through the first radiator, and so that the excess |
| established that water is heated, and this is what | | | | flow is diverted around and on to the next |
| provides the heat to your home; but once the | | | | radiator in the system. |
| water is heated what happens? Well in general this | | | | So, the big question that comes to mind is, if the |
| is how it works.most baseboard radiator heat | | | | room is heated through water, how can you |
| systems have an electric motor that pumps the | | | | control the heat that you want? Wouldn't that |
| water through the house through a series of pipe | | | | mean you are at the mercy of how hot the |
| systems. When you install your system you want | | | | water is? Normally the boiler temperature is |
| to make sure that the first radiator of the house | | | | controlled internally so that heat is available |
| is installed in the main room, or the room you | | | | instantly when it is called for by the room |
| would want heated the best because hot water | | | | thermostat. Basically, when you flip on your |
| enters the first radiator first, so that radiator is | | | | thermostat, a signal is sent to the circulation pump |
| normally the hottest of any. The heat flows from | | | | which turns on and begins circulating hot water |
| the surface of that radiator, and some of that | | | | through the house. Like a traditional heater, you |
| heat is transferred, and heats the room. Thus | | | | determine when and how much heat you want, |
| you get a nice toasty room, but the water that | | | | and hopefully the room you are in isn't too far |
| comes out of the exit end of that radiator is | | | | down the line and you can get it. |
| cooled somewhat. | | | | |