i have a 240 volt electric baseboard heater. The one side is not working at all and the other side is hot just not great. There is no furniture blocking it and it is not dirty. Is there a quick fix to get the one side back and running or would it be easier and more efficient to get a new baseboard heater? Thanks in advance
electric baseboard heater
- Thread starter stove39
- Start date
Gary S
Well-known member
Take a look inside at the heating element. If the element is broken, it may or may not be worth trying to get parts. If it simply has a bad wire or something simple, fix it.
We can't troubleshoot it through a computer because we can't see inside it.
We can't troubleshoot it through a computer because we can't see inside it.
acmikee
Well-known member
things to check:
does it have power
is there a limit switch, if yes reset it and check amp draw
does it have power
is there a limit switch, if yes reset it and check amp draw
it is a very old heater and it has two heating elements in it and i would assume it is two smaller elements integrated into one whole unit. I did a lookover and both elements look ok however one wire on the broken side is very corroded and has come dis connected. I was wondering if i could only replace one side but the unit is one large baseboard just with two elements inside. Has anyone ever worked with these and if so would it be easier to just replace the whole thing and if so could someone give me some directions i dont have a lot of experience with electric but have done minor jobs.
James-W
Well-known member
Whether you should try to repair the old one or buy a new one depends on a bunch of things. What is wrong with the old one, can you even get parts for it, and if you can, what do the parts cost? What is the wattage of the old heater and what will a new heater of the same wattage cost?
Some of the new baseboard heaters are pretty inexpensive, so I would compare the repair costs to what it would cost to buy a new one. If the cost of the new heater is even half-way close to the cost of repair for the old one, I would go with a new one. I mean, I am guessing you have had this heater for a long time and therefore you have gotten a lot of use from it. Rather than start spending money on the old one now, spend the money you would have spent fixing the old one on the new one. You will probably have to add some money to it to in order come up to the price of the new one, but so what? You will have a brand new heater with a warranty.
Some of the new baseboard heaters are pretty inexpensive, so I would compare the repair costs to what it would cost to buy a new one. If the cost of the new heater is even half-way close to the cost of repair for the old one, I would go with a new one. I mean, I am guessing you have had this heater for a long time and therefore you have gotten a lot of use from it. Rather than start spending money on the old one now, spend the money you would have spent fixing the old one on the new one. You will probably have to add some money to it to in order come up to the price of the new one, but so what? You will have a brand new heater with a warranty.
nehog
Well-known member
Personally I'd not try to repair a baseboard heating element... Just too many risks, especially with one that is old and perhaps not meeting current standards.
They are neither expensive or hard to find, and often used ones removed from recent construction can be had for free. I picked up a bunch a few years ago for nothing (including a bag of thermostats!)
They are neither expensive or hard to find, and often used ones removed from recent construction can be had for free. I picked up a bunch a few years ago for nothing (including a bag of thermostats!)
ok thanks a lot we are going to replace them can anyone give me a link to a little bit more detailed instruction of how to hook them up. Or if anyone could make up instructions off the top of their head i would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks again for all your help
Thanks again for all your help
rburke65
Well-known member
There should be instructions with the new heater. There should be just two "hot" wires and a ground feeding the old heater and the new heater should have 2 wires and a ground screw. Hope this helps.
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CARS
Well-known member
Just throwing this out there, but if you don't understand how to wire the new heater, maybe you shouldn't do this yourself 
The new heater should be wired the same as the old one, so turn off the breaker, open it up, compare, and if you can see the same components/connections on each one, swap it out.
If you open it up and are confused, call an electrician. No permit needed for replacement, so you will just have to pay him for his time. Should take 5 minutes.
The new heater should be wired the same as the old one, so turn off the breaker, open it up, compare, and if you can see the same components/connections on each one, swap it out.
If you open it up and are confused, call an electrician. No permit needed for replacement, so you will just have to pay him for his time. Should take 5 minutes.