baseboard heater too hot

[lajones48]

I have a 24 X 30 garage/barn that is built with 2 X 6 framing and insulated to R19 in the walls and R30 in the ceiling. The inside is competely drywalled. We have an 8" strip of electric baseboard installed 20" above the floor on one wall to keep it above freezing when the temps drop in the winter. The heater has a manual dial type on off switch and no thermostat.

Last winter I happened to be out there and I noticed that the wall above the heater was getting very hot. I don't remember the temp I got with my infrared theremometer, but it was well over 100 degrees and not comfortable to leave my hand on.

Is there anything I can put between the baseboard and the wall to radiate the heat outward? I thought maybe a fan with a timer would help, but I would appreciate any ideas from you all on here.

Thanks,

Larry

 

[premierplayer]

save some $ on fuel costs and don't burn the place down.
it's a pretty inexpensive fix.
http://www.google.com/search?q=elec...&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=

 

[lajones48]

Thanks for the link. The unit does have some sort of basic thermostat since it cycles on and off depending on where I set the dial so I misstated that part. I will hook the unit up to a programable thermostat. However, I'm still concerned that the heat is rising up that wall instead of circulating so it overheats the drywall.

Larry

 

[Milton Shaw]

I would make a heat shield out of metal and give it a curve to get the heat away from the wall. Either that take the heater off the wall and set it on the concrete floor. That way there should not be any fire issues.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

The baseboard should be at 4" above the floor drawing the coolest air up through the element increasing efficiency and comfort. The do run hot and combustible must be kept away from any electric baseboard or resistance heating element.

 

[lajones48]

That is interesting...this unit was installed up 20" from the floor on a wall under a 4' X 6' window. I guess I'll look at how much trouble it will be to move it and try the heat shield. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[nehog]

... The heater has a manual dial type on off switch and no thermostat.

Last winter I happened to be out there and I noticed that the wall above the heater was getting very hot. I don't remember the temp I got with my infrared theremometer, but it was well over 100 degrees and not comfortable to leave my hand on.

...

100 degrees F, or 100 degrees C? Big difference, and 100 degrees F is nothing to worry about, while 100 degrees C is too hot.

The baseboard heater has a built in thermostat (fixed temp) to prevent over heating, assuming it was installed correctly and not modified. The design is to prevent the heater and wall it is attached to from over heating.

(This is exactly why one should always fill in their profile's location, so we know what units of measure you are using!)

 

[lajones48]

100 degrees fahrenheit. I updated my profile. Thought I had done that.

Thanks,

Larry

 

[nehog]

I don't think you have a problem, but you could use a heat shield. Around here they sell it (metal with an insulating layer sandwiched between) used mostly for wood stove installations.

 

[lajones48]

Thanks. I'll take a look at the building supply place. At least I don't have to be concerned about heating the barn for a while yet. It's in the high 80s here today.

Larry