I’m just wondering if an electric heated floor radiator could ignite a couch? We have an older couch up against the wall and it just happens that we cannot place it anywhere aside from where it is. Could this thing igite when we turn the heat on? The element is VERY hot when we turn it on…is there a chance it could go up?
My rational mind says no…we will be fine… but my irrational thought processes tells me it could ignite like a prom dress in Carrie.
I assume we’re talking about a built-in baseboard heater here? If that’s the case, no, it won’t get hot enough for ignition, by design. However, by blocking it with the couch, you’re reducing its efficiency since couches are pretty good insulation. If you can, it’s a good idea to pull the couch a few inches away from the wall, to give the heat a passage to rise up into the room.
I think that Q.E.D has it right.
But.
We have electric baseboard heat. But we rarely, rarely use it. When we might turn one on, we do get an odd smell that I can only attribute to a burning dust smell. I suspect it is actually dust and animal dander and such that releases odor when it gets hot.
Anyway, It is important to have a bit of air flow behind the couch.
There is a chance of anything of course. Depending on the design of, well just about everything. We keep our couch away from the heater (even though we never really use it, a visitor could turn on the heat) a couple of inches. This also makes it more efficient.
If we used the baseboard heat, and if I had any concern that the couch may be pushed up against it by accident, I would cut blocks to prevent it. But then I’m a bit of a worry wart.