Electric resistance heating systems work by converting electrical energy into heat. Due to the high cost of electric generation and transmission, the use of electric heat is quite expensive as compared to other heating options. But the great thing about them is that they offer precision on temperature control and heat distribution. Additionally, they are capable of attaining temperatures that are not possible with heaters using chemical combustion. You are also guaranteed that the electric heating process will not produce any type of heat by-products.
Technically, electric heat can be supplied in two ways — through a centralized heating source or with the use of room heaters. Electric heaters come in different varieties. Some of the types that you should look into include the following:
- Electric Baseboard Heaters: These are types of zonal heaters that are controlled by programmable thermostats. Baseboard heaters feature electric heating elements that are safely encased in metal pipes. The encased pipes are surrounded by aluminum fins to enhance heat transfer. As the air within the heater starts to warm, cool air is drawn into the bottom, while the warm air rises above the room. They are commonly installed underneath the windows because the rising warm air can easily thwart the falling cool air from the cold glass window.
- Electric Furnaces: As compared to other types of electric resistance heating system, electric furnaces are much expensive to operate, mainly because of the duct heat losses as well as the considerable amount of energy required to efficiently distribute heat throughout the house. To keep them in tiptop form, it is recommended to replace the filters as necessary. This is vital to ascertain that the system will continue to operate at top efficiency.
- Electric Wall Heaters: They feature an electric heating element that has a reflector behind it, which aid to reflect heat inside the room, and a fan that moves air into the heater. As the name suggests, these heaters are purposely designed to be installed in the walls.
Be sure to carefully assess each of the aforementioned type of electric heaters, just like what you would do when selecting a reliable Atlanta heating repair technician, to figure out which one will be able to effectively satisfy your home’s heating demand.