I'm considering installing an undercabinet hydronic toe kick heater in our kitchen. I've heard that if a toe kick heater needs to be serviced, it might be not so easy since the entire cabinet has to be removed. Is that true? Aren't there any heaters can just slide from underneath the cabinet?

Thanks!

Also, can someone please point me to any existing discussions here about toe kick heaters? Somehow I can't seem to find anything.

 

Usually they get installed under the kitchen sink. This allows a access panel to be cut out so you can perform repairs needed.

You should use a monoflo tee system on this install.

Heating Help

You need to run electric also for the fan to operate.

Mike NJ

 

You can cut an access panel in any cabinet bottom as longs as the cabinet is wide enough for servicing. There are a few threads on here that talk about installing ball valves in certain locations to properly purge the kick space heater of air. It seems it can be a challenge to do so if you don't have them.

 

I put two bleeder elbows on the inlet & outlet of unit and never had any trouble bleeding. I also used two monoflows [inlet forward, outlet reversed]. I cut a service hatch in the bottom of the cabinet, under the bottom draw. If ever necessary, the motor/fan comes out in one piece. Mine has been running about 10 years, not a bit of trouble.
Sid

 

Thanks, guys. I've heard that Myson heaters can just be pulled out from under the cabinet, so they wouldn't even need an access panel -- does anyone know if that's true? Also, are some brands (beacon-morris, turbonics) better or quieter than others?

 

I personally cant suggest any. In my experience they are more trouble then they are worth.

Thats just my experience from serviceing these types of units.

Others may have a different opinions of them.

Mike NJ

 

I installed quite a few but all but 2 were wall mounted with cabinet. All were Turbonics. My own has been in use for about 10 years. Only maint is a yearly cleaning of the fins.

As far as being able to just slide one in and out you'd need a way to disconnect and reconnect the piping.

 

They make kickspace heaters with two types of fans. Some have squirrel cage fans and some have regular fans. The squirrel cage fans start to make noise over time. The Turbonics Toester is the one to go for. Turbonics Inc., Specialists in Hydronic Heating Solutions. It also comes with a switch to wire it high/low/off, which is a nice feature but requires a spot to mount the switch. The beacon morris is the one with the bad fan design.
Like others said, a good install spot is under the sink. You cut out the bottom/floor of the cabinet and make a plywood cover for the hole that screws in and serves as an access panel. You can then leave the high/low/off switch mounted on the inside of the cabinet under the sink. You have to measure for clearance from the supply and drain plumbing in the cabinet.