Super duper swell.
My room is really cozy.
The Runtal electric baseboard heater is wired to a thermostat on the opposite side of the room. I turn the thermostat up in the morning, and the baseboard starts to do its thing.
I am also sensing that improving the insulation on the outside wells in helping.
And I should add that we (3) put a new vent cover on the ceiling vent that delivers hot air from our natural gas-fueled furnace. The new vent cover has wider outlets and can be sort of pointed (not much) to blow in my direction. It is also important to keep my door open all the time, because there is no cold air return in my office. The cold air return is right outside the door, tucked into the riser at the bottom of the landing coming down the stairs to the basement.
I spent a lot of money on the renovation. Mostly in labor costs for my contractor. I am pretty sure I will never recoup what I spent in saved energy costs. But the space is tremendously more comfortable. It’s a terrific working space — yes, my favorite room in the house.
Why did I choose the Runtal electric baseboard heater?
This sounds terrible, but I fundamentally chose it because of the way it looks.
I am pretty sure this design has been around since the 1970s — as a radiator, not as a baseboard, though. The electric baseboard heater is a relatively new addition to their lineup, here’s what the Runtal website says:
For over 60 years, Runtal has been world-renowned as the premium manufacturer of Euro-style hot water panel radiators. We are now pleased to unveil our new electric panel radiators (baseboard style). This revolutionary patent pending technology combines high outputs and low surface temperatures with the fine design and outstanding quality that one expects from Runtal. Runtal’s electric baseboard panels are available in 3′ to 10′ lengths in both 208 and 240 volt configurations and may be ordered in more than 100 Runtal colors.
And here’s more about the company — yes, they have been making these heaters — as radiators — since the 1950s:
Headquartered in Switzerland with licensees worldwide, Runtal is considered the world leader in radiator technology. This is no surprise, since Runtal invented panel radiators back in the 1950’s and has hundreds of thousands of installations throughout the world. Over 20 years ago, a major commitment was made to the American and Canadian markets by the opening of a state-of-the-art factory in Ward Hill, Massachusetts. All products are designed to meet American building requirements and carry a five year warrant They come in a variety of styles for towel radiators, coat hangers or elegant room dividers.
Hey, I think I’m reading they are Made in the U.S.A. Right here in my home state, the wicked awesome Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I chose the white enamel finish. It has the 1960s Broyhill Premier Chapter One flower power lacquer look that goes perfectly in my office.
I toyed with order a throwback color like moss green, brown or wine red. But those colors didn’t really work with my design. If I were doing an A-frame cottage or some sort of space that needed electric baseboards, I could see building an interior in the rich 1970s colors and using these baseboards. Yes! Moss green in an A-frame ski chalet. Yes!
Once I got into reading about the heater on Runtal’s website, it seemed to me like it was pretty heavy duty. It weighs like 40 pounds.
My electrician dudes were very impressed. They had never installed one (it has its own special wiring). They told me: You want to put the electric baseboard under the window. I take it that: The cold air / draft created by the window (heated air rises and is drawn to cold window glass / cold window cools air, air falls toward floor) is heated by the baseboard, reducing drafts. This unit requires its own special wiring. 240 volts (I think?) Ummm, read the website. In any case – you have to be able to get the wiring over to it. My husband’s office is on the opposite side of the basement. It’s cold, too. After seeing mine in action, he wanted one, as well. But the electrician dudes came in — and said they could not get the wiring over to the beneath the window without ripping open walls. So, DH is sticking with his space heater.
The thing was expensive. Like, $800. Although Runtal gave me a discount, for promotional purposes. Knowing what I know now, would I pay full pop? Yes. Would it be a bit painful, to write a check like that for heating for one room? Yes. Would I get over it? Note: I have not paid attention to our electric bill. I’m sure it has risen. But, if I were conscientious, I could now turn down the heat in the rest of the house during the day — given that this single room is where I spend the majority of my day. I am *guessing* that the costs would balance, at minimum. Of course: I would need to actually do this — that is, turn down the heat in rest of the house.
Does this Runtal baseboard really work “better” than a cheaper electric baseboard? I do not know. I don’t have the skills to do that analysis. It’s throwing out 2000 BTUs. It seems hefty. It’s prettylicious. For the first time in 10 years in this space, I’m warm.
Check them out here: Runtal radiators and electric baseboard heaters.