Hydronic baseboard is the low metal heater along the wall in many 1960s–1980s Halden homes. Hot water from the boiler flows through a copper pipe with aluminum fins, which warm the air in the room. It's quiet, even and long-lasting when the fins are clean and the water flows.
Common issues: bent or dust-clogged fins that cut heat output, leaks at joints, and zones that don't heat because of air or a failed zone valve. We also extend baseboard into additions and finished basements and replace damaged covers.
If your home has electric baseboard and high bills, we can often tie those rooms into your existing boiler, or suggest a mini-split instead.
Signs you need this
- Baseboard covers are dented or fins are bent flat
- A room with baseboard stays cold
- Water stains on the floor under a baseboard
- You're adding a room to a boiler-heated home
How it works
Inspect
Check fins, joints, zone valves and flow for each zone.
Clean and repair
Straighten or replace fins, repair leaks, replace covers.
Extend if needed
New baseboard runs sized to the room's heat loss, tied into the right zone.
Common questions
Can I put furniture in front of baseboard?
Leave at least 6 inches of clearance. Heat rises from the fins, and blocked baseboard can cut a room's heat by a third.
How do I clean the fins?
Remove the front cover and vacuum with a brush attachment each fall. Straighten bent fins gently with a butter knife.
Is hydronic baseboard better than electric?
It's usually much cheaper to run, because the boiler burns gas more efficiently than electric resistance at our utility rates.