Convector considerations

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Cindy Parker

Baseboard hot water heat is a common and efficient way to heat your home; but with a little attention, you can increase the amount of heat those systems provide.

Of the three methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), baseboard hot water heat uses two – convection and radiation.

Convective heat transfer occurs with air currents and the movement of light, warm air rising. Radiant heat transfer occurs with heat “waves” that occur as with heat that we feel from the sun – or from standing next to your wood stove.

Baseboard hot water heat is provided with hot water from a boiler that is piped though “finned tube” radiators that are installed along walls. The fins are mounted around the circumference of a copper tube so there is more surface area to disburse heat. This is the same concept as your automobile radiator.

The convection part of baseboard heat is accomplished by the design of the cover that surrounds the finned tube. About 90 percent of the heat provided by baseboard hot water is due to convective heat transfer.

Hot water convectors became popular in the United States after World War II when the components for their production (copper, aluminum and tin) became more available. Baseboard convectors were a great replacement for the large and heavy cast iron radiators that they replaced in the new construction of that era. Baseboard convectors establish a warm air curtain between you and the cold air on exterior walls or windows.

Although this heat is warm, quiet and efficient, many people don’t get the full benefit of their baseboard convection heat. Convection happens with air flow. If the air flow is blocked, the convective current is blocked and the heat transfer doesn’t occur as readily as it could without blockage. What causes blockage to the air flow? Blocked air for your convectors could be the result of furniture placement, curtains, carpeting, or dirty systems.

Furniture blocking the flow from a convector, may result in a warm surface on the underside of your sofa, but the heat won’t easily reach across the room to help a hallway feel warm. Curtains hanging to the floor level may look nice, but if they are piled up around the baseboard convector, the heat can’t move. Also, some long curtains may trap all the heat behind the curtain, resulting in nice warm windows and walls, but poor comfort level in the room. Carpet that is lofty may feel great on your feet, but if there is not a clear path for air to enter under the base of the convector, then the capacity of the system is diminished. In general, there should be a one inch opening between your floor covering (or bare floor) and the bottom of the convector.

Free, unobstructed circulation is the key to derive the most heat from the finned tube, convector systems. Cool air is heavy and lingers around floor level. Cool air gets warmed as it enters at the bottom of the baseboard convector, the warmed air flows upward in a convective current and the cycle continues. Because of that convective current, dust and pet hair are common features that block the air and heat flow in baseboard convectors. It is easy to remove the covers from baseboard convectors to vacuum away all the “fluff” that is robbing your heat.

Take a look and be sure you’re getting all that you can from this home heating method. Considering your convection options is the key to staying warmer.


Baseboard hot water heat is a common and efficient way to heat your home; but with a little attention, you can increase the amount of heat those systems provide.

Of the three methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), baseboard hot water heat uses two – convection and radiation.

Convective heat transfer occurs with air currents and the movement of light, warm air rising. Radiant heat transfer occurs with heat “waves” that occur as with heat that we feel from the sun – or from standing next to your wood stove.

Baseboard hot water heat is provided with hot water from a boiler that is piped though “finned tube” radiators that are installed along walls. The fins are mounted around the circumference of a copper tube so there is more surface area to disburse heat. This is the same concept as your automobile radiator.

The convection part of baseboard heat is accomplished by the design of the cover that surrounds the finned tube. About 90 percent of the heat provided by baseboard hot water is due to convective heat transfer.

Hot water convectors became popular in the United States after World War II when the components for their production (copper, aluminum and tin) became more available. Baseboard convectors were a great replacement for the large and heavy cast iron radiators that they replaced in the new construction of that era. Baseboard convectors establish a warm air curtain between you and the cold air on exterior walls or windows.

Although this heat is warm, quiet and efficient, many people don’t get the full benefit of their baseboard convection heat. Convection happens with air flow. If the air flow is blocked, the convective current is blocked and the heat transfer doesn’t occur as readily as it could without blockage. What causes blockage to the air flow? Blocked air for your convectors could be the result of furniture placement, curtains, carpeting, or dirty systems.

Furniture blocking the flow from a convector, may result in a warm surface on the underside of your sofa, but the heat won’t easily reach across the room to help a hallway feel warm. Curtains hanging to the floor level may look nice, but if they are piled up around the baseboard convector, the heat can’t move. Also, some long curtains may trap all the heat behind the curtain, resulting in nice warm windows and walls, but poor comfort level in the room. Carpet that is lofty may feel great on your feet, but if there is not a clear path for air to enter under the base of the convector, then the capacity of the system is diminished. In general, there should be a one inch opening between your floor covering (or bare floor) and the bottom of the convector.

Free, unobstructed circulation is the key to derive the most heat from the finned tube, convector systems. Cool air is heavy and lingers around floor level. Cool air gets warmed as it enters at the bottom of the baseboard convector, the warmed air flows upward in a convective current and the cycle continues. Because of that convective current, dust and pet hair are common features that block the air and heat flow in baseboard convectors. It is easy to remove the covers from baseboard convectors to vacuum away all the “fluff” that is robbing your heat.

Take a look and be sure you’re getting all that you can from this home heating method. Considering your convection options is the key to staying warmer.