Electric baseboard heat

[NJ Valuator]

Has anyone ever seen electric baseboard heat that is permanently installed on the wall yet still operates using a cord-and-plug connection rather than being hard-wired directly into the electrical system?

 

[Dublin ohio]

I would not consider that "permanently" installed. They either mounted a portable unit on the wall or rigged one that should be direct wired. Is there a thermostat?

 

[Elliott]

That reminds me of a story, really. Worked with a realtor who became an appraiser for a few years then went back to be a realtor. He told me he had a property he sold FHA and met the appraiser at the property and the appraiser noticed there were only space heaters so no permanent heat, he went and bought three 6' baseboard units, nailed them next to the baseboards, not connected, appraiser re-inspected and approved them.

And that's why I've always turned on the thermostat and waited for the first 'click' of heat to make sure they actually work.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

why does it matter how it plugs in? If the baseboard is attached to the wall, it is real estate. Same with a gas furnace. Thermostat control and fan plugged in to the wall on most of them. Always passed FHA here.

 

[Tom D]

FHA, has to be hard wired to the electric. Conventional, don't think worth mentioning it.

 

[Zoe]

easy fix. Remove cover on receptacle. Remove receptacle and leave junction box. Cut plug off wire feeding heater. Tie the wires into the junction box wires and put a cap on them. You could get a flat plate cover with a hole in it and run the heater wire through that hole before you secured the wires with wire caps or whatever. I am assuming wiring and electric box or fuse is rated to hold the amps and volts the heater uses. You know the heater wire was rated for the heater by the manufacturer.

 

[Zoe]

I suppose if it had a plug that worked a little out from the wall receptacle, it could create heat in the wire and cause a fire. As long as it was plugged in tight and wires on receptacle were tight, it would be safe. The manufacturer had to pass safety standards to make it where it would plug into a wall receptacle.

If it is secured to the wall, it is a fixture of the house. It is not personal property.

 

[NJ Valuator]

Assignment is not FHA.

 

[Zoe]

Assignment is not FHA.

I wouldn't worry about it. If FHA had a problem with it, I would make them direct wire it into the junction box with a cover. It is not like a TV or lamp or something. There are certain requirements on how far it has to be off the floor per our current code. I am not sure direct electrical connection to the circuit is one of them. I would probably check.

 

[JTip]

Yes, and I would NOT count that room as GLA.