An Uncommon Sight in Dutch Homes
Baseboard heating is a term that requires careful definition in a Dutch context, as it is very uncommon and can refer to two vastly different systems. The first, hydronic baseboard heating, uses hot water from a central boiler that flows through finned pipes located along the base of the walls. This is extremely rare. The second, and slightly more common (though still unusual) application, is a plintradiator or plintverwarming, which is often a small, fan-assisted radiator installed in the plinth or kickspace under kitchen cabinets. This is used as a supplementary, space-saving heat source, not to heat the whole house. The third type, electric baseboard heating, is a major red flag. This system uses electric resistance heaters and is almost never used for primary heating in the Netherlands due to the country's exceptionally high electricity prices. A rental property advertised with electric baseboard heating as its main heat source is a guarantee of staggeringly high energy bills in the winter, and should be avoided.
Differentiating Uses: Primary vs. Supplementary
It is crucial to understand whether a listing that mentions baseboard heating is referring to a primary or supplementary system. If a small plintradiator is installed under the kitchen cabinets, it's a clever, space-saving feature designed to provide a bit of warmth in a specific area. It runs off the main central heating system and is a perfectly acceptable and sometimes desirable feature. However, if an apartment's entire heating system consists of electric baseboard heaters along the walls of every room, a prospective tenant should be extremely wary. This setup is often a sign of a cheap or poorly planned renovation. While the installation cost is low for the landlord, the running costs for the tenant will be exorbitant compared to a standard gas-fired radiator system. Always ask for the property's official energy label (energielabel) and question the previous tenant's average energy bills if possible.
Why It's Not a Mainstream Solution
Beyond the prohibitive cost of electricity, baseboard heating has other disadvantages that have prevented it from becoming popular in the Netherlands. Like traditional radiators, baseboard heaters can restrict the placement of furniture; you cannot place a sofa or a bookshelf directly in front of them without blocking the heat flow. They can also be a maintenance issue, as the fins can collect dust and pet hair, reducing their efficiency and requiring regular cleaning. Given the overwhelming efficiency, comfort, and familiarity of the CV-ketel and radiator system, there has been little to no market incentive for developers or landlords to adopt baseboard heating as a primary solution for residential properties.
