Baseboard heating systems are very popular in older construction and are still used today. They work well when implemented properly and are very easy to maintain. They are also relatively energy efficient when designed and maintained properly.
However, there may come a time when you want to remove your existing baseboard heater. This can be to either replace the entire system or just the baseboard heater in one room.
So below we’ll look at the steps needed to properly remove a baseboard heater
Removing Baseboard Heaters: Step By Step
1. Determine what kind of baseboard heater you have
There are two types of baseboard heaters in use – Electric heaters or hydronic (water) heaters. Electric baseboard heaters use a heating element and are wired into the home’s electrical system.
Hydronic or water-heated baseboard heaters run hot water through them to provide heat and are connected via plumbing to the building’s main boiler. You will need some plumbing or electrical knowledge to remove each type of baseboard heater.
As with any plumbing or electrical work, if you are unsure about how to proceed during any step, make sure to consult with a professional contractor before moving forward.
2. Shut off power to the baseboard heater
This is the first and most important step. You must go to the main breaker box and shut off power to the heater. If you do not do this properly, you risk electric shock.
So make sure to verify you have shut off power via the main breaker box. Use a voltmeter on the baseboard heater’s junction box to verify it reads zero volts across the two main terminals.
Once done, you can disconnect the wires from the heater’s junction box.
3. Shut off power to the baseboard heater and boiler
For a hydronic baseboard heater, you must cut the power to the main boiler and the baseboard heater itself. Once done, let the water cool down to room temperature, which may take several hours or even a day depending on your system.
Then, with a towel or bucket handy, cut the inlet and outlet pipes leading to the heater. Seal the loose ends of the pipe with pipe caps after they have been cut.
Cut the pipes as close to the floor as possible for a cleaner look that is easier to repair once the heater is removed.
4. Removing the baseboard heater
Now that the heater is disconnected from the main source of energy, you can start the removal process.
Baseboard heaters are usually screwed into the wall with a few screws. Older hydronic heaters may use bolts instead of screws, but whichever fastener is used you’ll need to locate them and remove them.
Once removed, if the electric baseboard heater is stuck to the wall, use a putty knife to gently pry around the heater, making sure not to damage the wall. Years of paint or other buildup may have adhered the heater to the wall and may need to be repaired after removal.
Both styles of heaters should then freely pull away from the wall if the wires have been disconnected or the pipes have been cut as per the previous instructions.
5. Finishing the baseboard heater removal
You’ll want to safely cap the exposed wires left over from the electric baseboard heater. Install a junction box behind the wall to safely store these wires after the baseboard removal. If possible, you can also trace the wires back to their original junction box and place them in there.
Make sure they are safely capped and secured.
For the hydronic heater, make sure to cap all pipes securely with pipe caps.
How to remove baseboard heater FAQ
1. Can you get rid of baseboard heaters?
Yes. It will require some basic electrical or plumbing knowledge depending on what type of baseboard heater you are removing.
After removal, the area where the heater was located will need some touch-up and repair to remove any signs of it being there. This may include repair to the wall and repair to the floor.
For the wall, most likely some putty and paint should fix any damage left behind. For the floor, you may need replacement slats if it was a wooden floor.
2. Should I remove baseboard heaters?
If a baseboard heater is bad or you are going to install a new heating system, you can remove the baseboard heaters present in your home.
3. Is it worth replacing old baseboard heaters?
Baseboard heaters are relatively simple and if working properly, do not need replacing. Unless your system is giving you problems or not producing enough heat, there is no need to replace it.
4. Can you replace a baseboard heater with a wall heater?
Yes. Although the reasons for doing so depend on your circumstances. If you are removing a hydronic baseboard heater, then you might need to add wiring for the new electric wall heater.
This may result in more expenses or extra work. If replacing an electric baseboard heater, it’s much easier.
Wall heaters will warm a room much faster than a baseboard heater, but they use about the same energy, so there’s no cost saving on your utility bills. Wall heaters also are not as sensitive to where they are placed. So a wall heater allows for greater flexibility on where you may want to place it.
Final Words About How To Get Rid Of Baseboard Heating Permanently
Removing your baseboard heater is something the average DIY homeowner should be able to accomplish. Depending on the reasons, you may just want to remove or replace one unit, or replace the entire system. Removing one unit that is not functioning properly with a wall heating unit is also another great option.
Whatever your reasons, if you follow the steps in this article and take your time you should be able to easily remove your baseboard heaters and replace or move them as needed.