The biting cold of winter can easily leave you shivering in your home if you don't take appropriate steps to keep it at an even, comfortable temperature, but that can be a challenge with soaring energy costs.
That's why I was intrigued to learn that HVAC pros recommend using a $3.50 baseboard heater, available at Amazon, to make rooms heat up faster, prevent dust and debris from blocking vital airflow, and improve heating efficiency, and therefore reduce energy costs overall.
This easy fix, recommended by experts for keeping your house warm without turning up the heat this winter, doesn't take any special DIY skill and is something you can implement as soon as this weekend.
This $3.50 Fix Will Keep You Warm All Winter
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This super affordable baseboard heater cover is rust-resistant, quick and easy to install in minutes, and looks sleek enough to blend into your decor.
In winter, there's no doubt that keeping a home warm all day is top of everyone's priority list. But, while you might be up to date with the new home heating temperature standard and know the exact temperature to keep a thermostat in winter, what you might not consider or know is that you should be using baseboard heater covers to improve efficiency.
Josh Mitchell, HVAC expert and founder of AirConditionerLab, shares that he recommends using baseboard heater covers for a few reasons. Primarily, they're a way to make heating more efficient.
'The old metal covers that come with baseboard heaters tend to rust, dent, and collect dust or pet hair,' he says. 'That buildup blocks airflow across the heating fins, which lowers heat output.
'Replacing them with snap-on covers usually helps rooms warm up faster and more evenly. Warm air can move freely again without being trapped by rusted metal or debris.'
Additionally, he explains, these covers can also fix long-term maintenance issues.
'Metal baseboards are hard to clean and often have sharp corners. Repainting them every few years adds time and cost. The replacements are made of a rust-resistant polymer, and you can wipe them clean with a damp rag,' such as the Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths available at Amazon.
'That's a big time-saver when you're doing seasonal checks or prepping a rental unit between tenants,' Josh adds.
Baseboard heater covers, aside from helping uneven house heating, are also a good option for homes with pets or toddlers, adds Josh.
'The plastic stays cooler to the touch and has rounded edges, which helps reduce the risk of injury,' he explains. 'Dogs can burn their noses by sniffing exposed metal baseboards. Covers help prevent that without affecting performance.
'Durability matters too. Most people think $3.50 sounds disposable, but I've seen these hold up for over five years without fading or cracking. They don't chip when bumped with a vacuum or broom, and they still snap on tightly in cold weather.'
In particular, the NeatHeat Baseboard Heat Cover available at Amazon 'Fits beautifully,' according to five-star reviewer Anne Marie Waxman, and is a 'great product,' when it comes to being easy to install and 'making a room look finished,' says a fellow reviewer, Kari S.
As HVAC pro Josh concludes, baseboard heater covers are a smart fix if your heating system works fine mechanically, but needs faster heat-up time and fewer problems from grime, rust, or blocked airflow.
'Homes with these installed tend to stay cleaner, warmer, and safer without changing the plumbing or the baseboard heaters themselves,' he says.
Shop Our Edit of Home Heating Essentials
If a baseboard heater cover is now top of your to-buy list, this pick couldn't be more affordable and comes with a host of five-star reviews.
This bestselling space heater offers quiet, customized heating for whole-room coverage at an affordable price point, with built-in safety features.
This door draft stopper effectively seals out both air and noise, keeping your home more cozy, comfortable, and quiet. Also available in brown and gray.
This transparent window weather sealing tape features a strong yet surface-safe adhesive, with weather-resistant materials to withstand extreme temperatures.
This door seal strip stops the heat and cold from escaping during winter and summer, and is suitable for use on windows, too. It's best for door gaps under 1 inch.
This portable and compact DREO space heater is engineered to be quieter and warmer from any angle, with wide-angle oscillation and an eco mode to save money.
Meet the Expert
There are also a number of other heating mistakes that make your house colder, such as setting your thermostat too high or too low, and blocking your heat vents with furniture.
You can also get rid of your home's cold spots, wake up slow radiators, and implement the new heating standard, which we have tested and can confirm works, for better comfort and lower energy bills throughout winter.
