How long should a baseboard heater last?

[Mr. Whippy]

I've installed 10 or 12 baseboard heaters over the last 3 years.  This fall, the smallest one (in a bathroom) just stopped working.  I replaced but it got me wondering, how long should they last?  3 years seems pretty short to me...

BTW, I did the job with a Wenger minigrip and Cybertool 41. 

[derekmac]

Yeah, I'd say that 3 years is pretty short.  I can't see why they shouldn't last 10-20 years at least.

[Mr. Whippy]

Yeah, I'd say that 3 years is pretty short.  I can't see why they shouldn't last 10-20 years at least.

I tested out the thermostat and it was fine.  Replaced the heating unit (sold separately from the thermostat) and all is back to normal.  But at $150 a pop, every 3 years could get pretty expensive. 

[derekmac]

Are these electric heaters?  Even a 72" one should only be around $50-$60.

[Mr. Whippy]

Are these electric heaters?  Even a 72" one should only be around $50-$60.

Hydronic electric baseboards.  28"

[derekmac]

Hmm, I've never heard of those before...  They are MUCH more expensive than the regular old electric baseboard heaters that I'm use to!!

[Mr. Whippy]

Hmm, I've never heard of those before...  They are MUCH more expensive than the regular old electric baseboard heaters that I'm use to!!

Less risk of burns/fires because it heats an oil to generate heat.  The heat tends to be more consistent too. 

[Toolslinger]

Any chance it's the environment (bathroom) that is the issue? I wouldn't think so with it being hydronic. They should be good for many years.

[Mr. Whippy]

Any chance it's the environment (bathroom) that is the issue? I wouldn't think so with it being hydronic. They should be good for many years.

I thought about that, but it's a guest bathroom and really, there was almost no rust on the sheet metal.    We did have one other one start leaking, but we had stored it (in its original box) for over a year until we installed it in the workshop office, but it still heated up, just leaked oil when it did.

[Toolslinger]

Any chance it's the environment (bathroom) that is the issue? I wouldn't think so with it being hydronic. They should be good for many years.

I thought about that, but it's a guest bathroom and really, there was almost no rust on the sheet metal.    We did have one other one start leaking, but we had stored it (in its original box) for over a year until we installed it in the workshop office, but it still heated up, just leaked oil when it did.

Interesting. Have to see how long this one holds out. Hopefully the last one was a dud and the replacement will last much longer.

[Mr. Whippy]

Any chance it's the environment (bathroom) that is the issue? I wouldn't think so with it being hydronic. They should be good for many years.

I thought about that, but it's a guest bathroom and really, there was almost no rust on the sheet metal.    We did have one other one start leaking, but we had stored it (in its original box) for over a year until we installed it in the workshop office, but it still heated up, just leaked oil when it did.

Interesting. Have to see how long this one holds out. Hopefully the last one was a dud and the replacement will last much longer.

Yup.  If it's a three year deal on this one, I'm looking for a different brand of heater.  Ridiculous (My mom has a baseboard heater that's been in the main bathroom for 45 years and it still works fine).

[gorbag]

Hopefully it was a bad element.  AFAIK, they're supposed to run for like at least 10 years before beginning to poop out.

[Mr. Whippy]

A different heater (same brand, different location) just went up.  I replaced with an Amazon purchase.  I bought the original group of baseboard heaters from a local electrical supply house.  I don't know how they handled the products or really how long they had them in stock before selling them to me.   

I'm very disappointed in these hydronic heaters.  If either of the Amazon purchased ones fail in 5 years, I'll be looking for another baseboard option.  3-4 years is pathetic.

[jzmtl]

It is short, I've never heard of a baseboard heater fail and they are in literally every house around here and run almost half the year.

As for consistent heating, most electronic thermostat can pulse the regular baseboard heaters for different heat levels so you have pretty consistent temperature.

[Higgins617]

We have forced hot water heaters, no where near as fancy as yours, but I know for a fact they are well older than I am.