Baseboard Heater Installation & Replacement in Ottawa

Replacing a baseboard heater on an existing circuit typically costs between $200 and $250 per unit, depending on the heater size and the condition of the existing wiring. If you need a new dedicated circuit, the cost is $400 to $800 per heater, depending on the distance from the panel and whether the walls are open or finished. Smart thermostat upgrades add $150 to $300 per unit. In older Ottawa homes, particularly in Westboro and Hintonburg, we often find that circuits originally installed for smaller heaters need upgrading to handle modern units with higher wattage. We give you a written price after assessing the job, before any work starts.

Room size, insulation quality, ceiling height, and window area all affect heater sizing. A typical calculation is 10 watts per square foot for a well-insulated room with standard 8-foot ceilings. A 150-square-foot bedroom would need a 1,500-watt heater. Older homes in Ottawa's inner suburbs often have less insulation than newer construction in Kanata or Barrhaven, so we increase the wattage accordingly. Rooms with large windows or exterior walls on two sides need additional capacity. We calculate the heat load on site and recommend the right size based on your specific room conditions.

No. All electrical work in Ontario must be completed by a licensed electrician and inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority. Baseboard heaters run on dedicated high-voltage circuits and must meet current code for wire sizing, breaker capacity, and clearances. Unlicensed installation can void your home insurance and create safety hazards. If a problem occurs and the work wasn't done by a licensed electrician, your insurer may refuse to cover damages. Our team holds ECRA/ESA licence #7018741 and completes all work to code.

Line-voltage thermostats are designed specifically for electric baseboard heating. Standard models are mechanical and simple to operate. Programmable thermostats let you set different temperatures for different times of day, which can reduce Hydro Ottawa bills if you're away during the day or prefer cooler temperatures overnight. Smart thermostats connect to your phone and allow remote control and scheduling. We install all three types and can explain the differences based on how you use the space.

Common causes include a failed thermostat, a tripped breaker, a blown thermal cutout inside the heater, or a loose connection at the unit or panel. Dust buildup inside the heater can also reduce heat output. In older Ottawa homes, particularly those built in the 1960s and 70s, we sometimes find that the circuit breaker has weakened over time and trips under normal load. If your heater isn't heating, we test the circuit, check the thermostat, and inspect the heater itself to find the cause. Most problems are repairable, but if the heater element has failed, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repair.

Baseboard heaters typically last 15 to 20 years with normal use. Heaters in high-traffic areas or rooms with pets and dust may wear out sooner. The heating element and thermostat are the components most likely to fail. If your heater is older than 15 years and showing problems, replacement is usually the better choice. Newer models heat more evenly and work with programmable or smart thermostats, which weren't available when older units were installed.

Yes. The Ontario electrical code requires baseboard heaters to run on dedicated circuits with no other loads. This prevents overloading and ensures the heater operates safely at full capacity. In homes built before 1980, we sometimes find baseboard heaters wired to shared circuits with outlets or lights. This was common practice at the time but doesn't meet current code. If we're replacing a heater on a shared circuit, we install a new dedicated line from the panel. The vast majority of electrical work does not require a permit. If one is needed, we handle it.

Yes. Smart thermostats designed for line-voltage applications work with electric baseboard heaters. These models handle the full current load and connect directly to the heater circuit. You can control temperature remotely, set schedules, and track energy use through an app. Hydro Ottawa customers can use time-of-use data to schedule heating during lower-rate periods if they're on a tiered rate plan. We install smart thermostats from several manufacturers and can recommend models based on your heating setup and preferences.