The Plinth Heater
Plinth heaters are also known as kickboard heaters or baseboard heaters, depending on where you come from! In simple terms they are heaters that are installed in baseboards, below cupboards or other equipment. While not terribly common, a kick space heater is actually a very under-rated form of heating that can really make a difference when it comes to heating up a room.
Most are fan operated, meaning that the heater is installed in a baseboard or below a cupboard where it can then blow out hot air. As everyone knows, hot air rises, thus heat originating at floor (or baseboard) level will quickly rise to heat up a room. Some central heating systems have them built in, but you are able to buy individual plinth heaters and install them separately from your other central heating. If you have central heating plinth heater systems can also be added for additional warmth in rooms not heated by your central system.
There are obvious advantages to this type of plinth heating; it is definitely extremely space saving. While they may take a while to heat up a room, once the room is heated they do a very effective job of keeping the temperature warm and even. They are also usually very cost effective as well and cheap to initially install as they do not require ductwork or insulation, and the maintenance is usually very minimal. They are also perfect for installing in one room. You can regulate the temperature and install additional heating if the current heating in that room is not efficient.
There are other pros to using a plinth raidator such as the fact that they are an extremely safe way to heat a room. There are no portable heaters that can be bumped into or knocked over. They do not require very much maintenance at all. You do have to clean them from time to time to make sure the vents are free.
While they may appear to some to be somewhat of an eyesore, these days most electric plinth heaters are actually well designed so that they fit into almost any room without being obvious. Most are covered with a grate which can be painted the same color as either the baseboard or the walls of your room so that they blend in and are not noticeable at all. They are also usually small in size, making them even more unobtrusive to the casual observer.
Finally, one of the main pros with this type of heating is that it is very safe. It cannot be knocked over or bumped into. They do not dry out the air like many other types of heaters do and as such they will not dry out your skin or cause problems with chapped and dry lips.
Common Uses for Plinth Heaters
These type of heaters are often installed in rooms that are not hooked into a central heating system, such as added on rooms. They are also a great style of heating for a kitchen as they are low, out of the way and can be inserted underneath kitchen cabinets for example without taking up any extra room. With a plinth heater kitchen installation means more floor and bench space. Businesses also use them quite a bit, where they can be installed underneath reception desks or other shop fittings.
They normally should not be installed in bathrooms or anywhere that they could conceivably come in contact with water as that could be damaging to the heater and also dangerous if they were electrically powered; which most are.
Where to Buy Plinth Heating
If you are looking for a plinth heater B&Q carry them, as do most home supply shops. Shops dealing mainly with heating also usually have them in stock. Plinth heater prices vary depending on the type of heater you buy and the plinth heater capacity. It also depends on what the heater is made from. A stainless steel plinth heater, such as a small Creda plinth heater or Honeywell HZ-817 Low Profile 2-in-1 Baseboard Heater with Quick Heat™ and Convection Heating
Looking to buy one? You can see a selection of baseboard heaters for sale
 Honeywell HZ-817 Low Profile 2-in-1 Baseboard Heater with Quick Heat™ and Convection Heating  |
Great to use in rooms where the central air conditioning doesn’t quite reach. Has a quick heat fan mode that is a bit noisy, but overall a very serviceable heater. |
 Honeywell HZ-617 Low Profile Silent Comfort Heater  |
Fine little heater. Runs well, very quiet. However, it is not suited to a large room. Best to heat something around 8′ x 9′. Bedroom heater. |
The main advantage is that it is fairly cheap to install as they do not need any ducting or insulation.
I see you mention the Plinth Heater is safe. How hot is the grate? Can it cause a burn? Thanks for the information.
Eric
Eric, it depends on the model you buy. As with regular radiators some are hot to touch while others are not. If you are specifically looking for something that is not, check out the heaters that specify that they have “touch safe” surface temperatures. Keep in mind, also, that they are often tucked away out of reach of most people and not something that you move around. Of course, if you have pets that love to curl up next to the heater you would definitely want to opt for the touch safe type. I still recall a beautiful fluffy cat we had that curled up too close to a heater and singed her beautiful coat — and the heater was not actually that hot, she just curled up almost on top of the thing! She was not harmed and we relocated the heater to a location she didn’t frequent, but still…you never know. Better to be safe, which is why I always go for the touch safe surface temperatures with heaters these days. Really, the main problem with heaters that end up being too hot to touch are the cheaper heaters, they have the main safety features built in of course but not all the features you may want.