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A plinth heater is a device that is used to heat a cold room to a certain temperature. It makes cold and winter days become more bearable.
However, unlike other heaters, a plinth heater has a unique design suitable for specific rooms. While this type of heater has a compact design that doesn’t occupy too much space, its design doesn’t affect its performance. Not to mention, such heaters are available in different sizes, making it easier for you to warm up different areas in your house.
In this post, we will give you an insight into what is a plinth heater and the different ones you can find for your home.
Definition of a Plinth Heater
As the name hints, a plinth heater is a compact heater installed in the skirting or plinth of various rooms. Unlike a traditional heater, a plinth heater doesn’t occupy too much space and makes it easier for you to save on floor space.
Most kickboard heaters are installed in the kitchen for easy access. Not to mention, such heaters come with a fan that redistributes air into your living space.
Different Types of Plinth Heaters
While kickboard heaters might have the same design, they have different mechanisms that heat a room, affecting your choice. One part of knowing a plinth heater is about understanding the different types of plinth heaters that are available on the market:
Electric Plinth Heater
An electrical plinth heater is powered by an electric current and connected to a mains electricity supply to function effectively. Due to this, electric plinth heaters are easy to set up.
An electrical plinth heater also comes with an electric fan that draws air into the heater. Once the air is drawn into the heater, it gets warmed up with a heating element.
After that, it is recirculated back into the room. The cycle continues until the whole room is warmed up thoroughly. The heat output might differ from one plinth heater to another. Low-voltage plinth heaters have a lower heating capacity than high-voltage plinth heaters.
Hydronic Plinth Heater
Unlike an electric plinth heater, a hydronic plinth heater must be connected to the central heating system to function smoothly. Most hydronic plinth heaters come with fittings that make it easier for you to connect such heaters to your home’s heating system.
Once a hydronic plinth radiator is connected to your heating system, hot water will flow through the fins of the plinth heater. After that, the heater will draw heat from a hot water system and then pass it through a heat exchanger used to heat cold air. A heat exchanger is a tool that transfers energy from one medium to another, from water to air.
As if that’s enough, most plinth heaters come with a sensor that starts the fan once the air is completely warmed. Afterwards, the fan circulates the warm air into the room, increasing the temperatures in a certain space.
Since this type of plinth heater does have a heating element, it is cost-effective and can be maintained easily.
Not to mention, such heaters are quite energy-efficient and do not waste a lot of energy.
Dual-Mode Plinth Heater
A dual-mode plinth heater has the features of an electric heater and a hydronic heater. In short, it can be easily connected to both the central heating system and the mains power supply system.
Who Might Need A Plinth Heater
Well, if you are planning to install a heater in a small room such as a kitchen, a plinth heater might be a suitable choice for you. You can install it on the baseboard to maximize space. Once you install a plinth heater, the only part that will be visible will be the grills. The other part of the heater will be concealed inside the baseboard.
Benefits of a Plinth Heater
These are some of the benefits of installing plinth heaters in your kitchen:
Space-Saving Design
Unlike other heaters that occupy a lot of space, plinth heaters have a unique design ideal for space-saving. While plinth heaters might be concealed inside a skirting/baseboard, they are still effective in warming up large spaces.
Cheap to Install and Maintain
Since plinth heaters do not have a lot of components, they are easy to install. For instance, an electrical plinth heater can be easily connected to your home’s mains power supply.
Hydronic plinth radiators can also be easily connected to the central heating system.
They Are Safe to Use
Unlike other heaters, the grills of a kickboard heater do not get hot once it heats a room. It packs some safety features that minimize the risk of any injuries. Children can walk close to it without getting hurt.
Choosing the Right Type and Size of Plinth Heater for a Certain Room
Since plinth heaters are available in different sizes, you must choose a heater that is compatible with the room you plan to warm. Just like many other tools, the power of a plinth radiator is measured in Watts. Before you purchase a plinth heater, you have to determine the number of watts that might be required to heat a kitchen/bathroom.
While you can manually do this calculation, different online Watt calculators make it easier for you to know the total Wattage required to heat a bathroom/kitchen.
Moreover, most models come with a certain sheet, which guides you as you choose a radiator for your home. Such sheets contain the heat output of different heaters, making it easier for you to choose one that might be ideal for you. The price of heaters might differ, depending on their make and model.
Once you choose a heater for your home, check whether it can be installed perfectly on your mains electric system/heating system. You have to check whether your system can supply enough current to the unit. Most heaters have some information that guides you, making it easier to know whether your home system is compatible with the heater unit or not.
Get a Plinth Radiator
If you plan to warm a certain area in your home, you should consider getting a plinth heater. It is small and compact and can be installed on the wall, saving some extra space. Most heaters are also made from durable materials such as stainless steel that can last for a long time without breaking.
Not to mention, such heaters are safe to use around children. They do not heat the grill like other types of heaters. Most of these heaters also have a thermostat that controls the fan in the man unit. The thermostat triggers the rotary motion of the fan.
Since there are various types of plinth heaters, you can easily choose one that is compatible with the systems in your home now that you know what a plinth heater is and how they work. You can read different reviews to get an insight into other heaters and make the best decision for your home.
Make Your Room Warm
What is a plinth heater? It is a perfect device to heat a cold room to a specific temperature. By installing this device, your cold days will be over. Since this heater is compact, it won’t occupy a lot of space. Plus, its design doesn’t affect its performance, so it’s perfect for warming up different areas in your home.
Do you own a plinth heater? Are there other helpful tips you can share? We’d love to hear them! Let us know in the comment box below!
Ian loves everything that revolves around the home improvement niche. He loves trying out new home appliances. He has also handled a lot of equipment and has a lot of insight. Plus, he’s worked on various home improvement projects that became a success.
If Ian isn’t busy working on his latest project, you can find him reading up about another one!
