In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner by moving a hot water baseboard heater from one side of a room to another.
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Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner relocate a poorly placed baseboard heater that has been doing very little to heat the space. The heater is located in what used to be a kitchen, but is now a newly renovated family room.
Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: $200
Skill Level: Hard
Tools:
Drill [amzn.to/2PBwVyY]
Pipe cutters [amzn.to/3mu56o6]
Torch [amzn.to/3mv9nb2]
PEX expansion tool [amzn.to/3cYYBXm]
Shopping List:
PEX lines [bit.ly/3mOJvHi]
Hot water baseboard heater [amzn.to/3fQHkBx]
Solder [amzn.to/3wDSSOs]
Flux [amzn.to/3uy03py]
Emery cloth [amzn.to/3uKoQa7]
Fitting brush [amzn.to/2PJ8PCi]
Steps for moving a baseboard heater:
1. There are two types of baseboard heaters, electric and hydronic heaters. Figure out what type you have before starting any work. In this case, Richard moved a hydronic heater. Hot water baseboard heaters require some plumbing knowledge, so hiring a professional is advised.
2. Shut off the water lines to the particular zone you are working with. Shut off the boiler electric switch. Wait for the lines and baseboard heater to cool down.
3. Attach a hose to the drain valve and empty the remaining water.
4. Cut the PEX supply and return lines and let them drain into a bucket.
5. Remove the baseboard cover and copper pipe and fins.
6. Measure where you want the basement heater to go. Remove any baseboard trim from the wall.
7. Drill two holes where the pipes will run back down to the mechanical room.
8. Install the hydronic baseboard to the desired wall.
9. Place the fin tube into the baseboard.
10. Richard recommends using expansion cradles to make baseboards quieter when they heat up.
11. Make sure both ends of the copper pipe end over the holes you drill. If not, cut the pipe back. Then clean, flux, and solder the copper fitting on both sides.
12. Once the solder connections have cooled, it is time to make the PEX connections. Take out the baseboard element to make the next connections.
13. Use a PEX expansion ring to slip over the tubing. Then use a PEX expansion tool to expand the sleeve to be able to fit over the copper fitting. Hold for a few seconds until the PEX has shrunk down to the fitting. Do the same to the other side.
14. Pick up the baseboard element and carefully put the PEX tubing down the holes that were drilled earlier.
15. Make the new PEX connections where the new lines are run.
16. Place the baseboard cover on.
17. Turn the boiler and water supply back on.
Where to find it?
The homeowners had a baseboard heating system with ¾” PEX lines [bit.ly/3mOJvHi], which were manufactured by Uponor [www.uponor-usa.com/en]. To move the baseboard from one side of the room to the other, all Richard needed to do was cut the PEX and move it to the other side of the room.
While Richard could have moved the existing baseboard over, he thought it would be better to install a new baseboard with a taller cover to make it more efficient. The one he installed is a Multi/Pak 80 residential hot water baseboard heater, which is manufactured by Slant/Fin [www.slantfin.com/].
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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Move Baseboard Heating | Ask This Old House
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