Baseboard heaters are a common sight in older Toronto homes, condos, and smaller spaces where installing ductwork isn’t practical. In this blog, Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning will explore how they actually work and how they compare to other heating systems like furnaces and heat pumps.
1) What Are Baseboard Heaters?
2) Where Are Baseboard Heaters Commonly Used?
3) How Do Baseboard Heaters Compare to Other Systems?
4) Energy Efficiency & Cost of Operation in Toronto
5) Better Alternatives for Toronto Homes
At Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning, we help homeowners make informed decisions about home comfort—and that means knowing when baseboard heating makes sense, and when a more efficient solution might be better. Keep reading to learn more or contact us for more advice!
Pros
- Easy to install and maintain
- No ductwork required — perfect for older homes or renovations
- Quiet operation with no moving parts
- Individual room control with separate thermostats
- Reliable heat source with no combustion gases
Cons
- Higher operating costs compared to natural gas systems
- Slow to heat large or poorly insulated spaces
- Limited to electric power, which may be less environmentally friendly
- Heat can be uneven, especially in bigger rooms
- Visible baseboard units may not fit all design aesthetics
Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of baseboard heaters to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your home.
Baseboard Heaters Explained: Pros, Cons, and Smarter Alternatives for Toronto Homes
1) What Are Baseboard Heaters?
In case you’re unfamiliar with this heating source, watch the video to learn about baseboard heating.
Baseboard heaters are electric heating units installed along the base of a wall, typically beneath windows. They work by pulling in cool air through the bottom, heating it with electric elements inside the unit, and releasing warm air out the top through convection.
There are two main types:
Electric baseboard heaters (the most common): Connected to your home’s electrical system and controlled by individual thermostats in each room.
Hydronic baseboard heaters: Use hot water heated by a boiler, then circulate it through pipes in the baseboard unit.
Electric baseboard heaters are generally inexpensive to purchase and install—often costing between $100 and $300 per unit, plus basic wiring if needed. However, their operating costs are high, especially in Ontario where electricity rates can add up quickly during cold winters.
Hydronic baseboard heaters, on the other hand, tend to cost more upfront—often $300 to $600 per unit, not including the cost of the boiler and installation—but they provide more consistent, comfortable heat and are typically more efficient to operate if you’re already using a hot water heating system.
For homeowners in Toronto, electric baseboards can become costly over time, making alternatives like ductless heat pumps or high-efficiency furnaces a smarter long-term investment for whole-home heating. We’ll touch on this later though!
2) Where Are Baseboard Heaters Commonly Used?
Baseboard heaters have been installed along the base of the walls in this bedroom. (Image Source: hi room)
You’ll often find baseboard heaters in:
Older homes or condos without existing ductwork
Basements, sunrooms, or additions that are hard to heat
Small apartments or rooms where zoned heating is desirable
They’re easy to install and provide independent temperature control per room—but they’re not always the most efficient.
3) How Do Baseboard Heaters Compare to Other Systems?
Here’s how baseboard heating stacks up against some of the other most popular systems we install at Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning:
- Simple installation
- Zoned heating
- No ductwork required
- High electricity use
- Slow to heat
- Dry air
- Older homes
- Small rooms
- Powerful whole-home heat
- Efficient with natural gas
- Requires ducts
- Not ideal for small additions
- Most Toronto homes
- Efficient heating & cooling
- Lower long-term costs
- Higher upfront cost
- May need backup heat
- Year-round efficiency
- Mild climates
- No ducts needed
- Zoned comfort
- Efficient
- Visible wall units
- Installation cost
- Additions
- Condos
- Multi-room control
Considering your home’s size, insulation, and heating needs will help you choose the best heating system for comfort and cost-efficiency in Toronto’s climate.
4) Energy Efficiency & Cost of Operation in Toronto
Baseboard Heaters
- 100% efficient (electric)
- High operating cost in Ontario
- Best for small or supplemental spaces
- No ducts required
Natural Gas Furnaces
- 90–98% efficiency
- Lower cost per BTU (natural gas)
- Ideal for whole-home heating with ducts
- Reliable in cold weather
Cold-Climate Heat Pumps
- 200–300% efficiency
- Electric, but extremely efficient
- Works for heating and cooling
- No ducts needed (ductless available)
- Higher upfront cost, but significantly lower monthly energy bills over time
While baseboard heaters convert electricity to heat at 100% efficiency, they’re still expensive to run in Ontario. Heat pumps and high-efficiency furnaces offer better long-term value—especially in Toronto’s cold winters.
While baseboard heaters are 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat, electricity is generally more expensive than natural gas in Ontario. In Toronto’s cold winters, baseboard systems can become costly to operate—especially if heating large areas or poorly insulated spaces.
In contrast:
Natural gas furnaces offer high efficiency at a lower cost per BTU.
Heat pumps, especially cold-climate models, can provide 2–3x the efficiency of baseboards, even in sub-zero conditions.
So if you’re using baseboard heaters as your main source of heat in Toronto, it’s worth considering an upgrade—especially if you want lower energy bills.
5) Better Alternatives for Toronto Homes
At Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning, we often recommend these alternatives to baseboard heaters:
✅ Central Furnace Systems
Ideal for full-home comfort
Works well with existing ductwork
Affordable to operate with natural gas
✅ Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Perfect for homes without ducts
Offers both heating and cooling
Highly energy efficient
✅ Hybrid Systems
Combine a gas furnace with a heat pump for the best of both worlds
Optimized for comfort and cost-efficiency in fluctuating Ontario weather
Not Sure What’s Right for Your Home?
If you’re still relying on baseboard heaters, it might be time to explore more efficient options. At Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning, we offer free assessments and quotes, and our licensed technicians can help you determine the best solution for your space, budget, and long-term comfort.
Contact us today at (416) 897-4126 or request a quote online to find out how you can upgrade from baseboard heating to a more efficient system—without the guesswork.