If your home’s heating system needs a boost or you have a particular room that needs extra heat, electric heaters can be an ideal solution. They’re quick to install and can provide a lot of warmth for a relatively low cost. In this article, we’ll explore how these devices work, what the different types are available and their advantages and disadvantages.
Electric heaters are electrical devices that convert electricity to heat energy using a known resistance. The resistance, which may be metallic or nonmetallic, is placed in the electric circuit and does not easily conduct electrons. However, when the electric current passes through it, the resistance warms up and generates heat. This heat then radiates into the surrounding air, warming it up.
These heaters are commonly called space heaters and are used to warm a single room or small zone. Unlike gas heaters, they don’t need to be connected to the central heating system and can operate independently. This makes them ideal for boosting the heating to a specific area of the house when needed or as a temporary replacement if your gas heater has broken down.
Electric space heaters can also be used in conjunction with a ventilation system to circulate the warm air throughout the house. They differ from heaters powered by combustible fuel sources such as propane, wood or kerosene, which require a venting system to safely exhaust the combustion process and avoid poisonous fumes entering the home.electric heater