The rear legs of my living room sofa are about 5 inches from a cold wall. I am considering installing a hydronic baseboard heater section to that wall to hopefully warm it up somewhat. What would be the least, safest distance I should allow for the sofa? The sofa is all leather. Thanks.

 

Not quite sure what you mean by 'safest distance'.

Safety from what? Please elaborate.

 

by safe distance I'm thinking fire hazard and/or harmful to leather.

 

There wouldn't be a fire hazard... but I was wondering about the effects on the leather myself. I'm sure it can't be good for it!

 

I'm not a leather expert, but we have a leather couch in front of a cast-iron baseboard. The back of the couch is about 2" from the surface of the baseboard. I have not observed any problem. The couch can't get any closer than the 2" because the upper back of the couch hits a window mullion.

My monoflo system runs at 180 deg, but at the baseboard in question, the water is probably about 170 deg max.

At 180 deg, would there be a fire hazard? Think about drapes that may cover a heat emitter. And wood floor joists that support hydronic piping. Steam piping would be hotter.