I’ve had baseboard heat in more than one of my rentals, and the pattern is always the same: tenants set the dial to “5,” the room overheats, they open a window, and the bill comes in at double what they expected. The EIA expects electric heating bills to be higher this winter than last. The good news is that baseboard heat is the easiest kind to control room by room, once the thermostat lets you.
Baseboard heat is expensive because electric resistance heat costs more per unit than gas or a heat pump, and old dial thermostats overshoot and never set back. The biggest fix is a line-voltage programmable thermostat such as the Honeywell 5-2 day for baseboards, then turning down unused rooms, sealing drafts and keeping furniture and curtains off the heaters.
Affiliate note: As an Amazon Associate, The Low Bill Home earns from qualifying purchases. Where I haven’t owned the exact model, my notes come from specs and the owner-review summaries on each listing.
Cost per room calculator
What does this heater cost?
Why the bill is so high
- Electricity is pricey heat. Every kWh becomes heat, but a heat pump makes 2–3 units of heat from the same kWh.
- Dial thermostats are inaccurate. Many swing several degrees above the setting and have no setback at all.
- Every room heats all day unless someone turns it down.
- Blocked heaters behind sofas and curtains run longer to warm the room, and it’s a fire risk.
7 cheap fixes
- Turn down rooms you don’t use to 55–60°F and close the doors.
- Keep 12 inches clear in front of every heater: no furniture, curtains or drying laundry.
- Vacuum the fins once a season; dust insulates them and smells when it burns.
- Seal drafts at the windows above the heaters and under the doors. A door draft stopper 2-pack costs very little; owners say it blocks drafts, and adhesion is the usual complaint.
- Use thermal curtains that stop above the heater, not over it: see best thermal curtains.
- Heat yourself at night with a heated mattress pad or blanket and set the bedroom lower: see heated blanket vs space heater.
- Replace the dial with a programmable line-voltage thermostat, below.
Thermostats that fit baseboard heaters
Safety first: baseboard thermostats are line voltage, often 240V. Turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off before touching wires. If you rent or aren’t comfortable, hire an electrician; it’s a short job.
| Thermostat | Type | What owners say |
|---|---|---|
| Honeywell Home 5-2 day programmable (baseboard) | Programmable, 4 periods a day | Easy 5-minute swap, good temperature control; one owner saw about a 10% drop in the bill; a few report button problems |
| ELV4 programmable line-voltage | Programmable | Easy to install, pays for itself quickly; some note loud clicking |
| Cadet double-pole line-voltage | Non-programmable, accurate dial upgrade | Easy install; one owner says it reads several degrees off |
| meross Matter smart thermostat for baseboards | Smart, app and voice | Easy wiring and remote control; Wi-Fi drops for some |
| Mysa LITE smart thermostat | Smart, app | Simple install, nice app; check compatibility with your wiring |
Before you buy: check the voltage on your heater (120V or 240V), whether the old thermostat has two wires or four (single- or double-pole), and the total watts on that circuit against the thermostat’s rating.
Comparing heat sources? Our energy cost calculator and space heater cost to run do the math, and winter heating costs 2026–27 explains this year’s prices.
FAQ
Why is my electric baseboard heating bill so high?
Baseboard heaters are 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat, but electric resistance heat costs more per unit of heat than gas or a heat pump. A 1,500-watt heater running 8 hours a day uses about 12 kWh a day. Old dial thermostats also overshoot and never set back.
Do programmable thermostats work with baseboard heaters?
Only line-voltage models made for electric baseboard heat (usually 120V or 240V). Ordinary low-voltage thermostats for furnaces won’t work and can be dangerous. Check the voltage and whether your heater uses single-pole or double-pole wiring before you buy.
Can a renter replace a baseboard thermostat?
Ask the landlord first. It’s line-voltage wiring, so the breaker must be off and many people hire an electrician. Some landlords agree because it lowers the bill and the thermostat stays with the apartment.
Is it cheaper to use a space heater than baseboard heat?
Not per hour: both turn electricity into heat at the same rate. A space heater can be cheaper only if it lets you heat one room and turn the baseboards down everywhere else.
Should I turn baseboard heaters off in rooms I don’t use?
Turn them down, not fully off, in cold climates: around 55–60°F keeps pipes and walls from getting cold and avoids condensation. Close the doors to those rooms.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Electric resistance heating
- U.S. Department of Energy: Thermostats
- EIA: Winter Fuels Outlook 2026–27
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electricity prices by state
Email me at hello@thelowbillhome.com. I read every message, and when a rate, a rule or a product changes, I update the guide. — Eugene
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