Electric heating has several unique advantages. It can be precisely controlled to allow temperature uniformity within very narrow limits, and is cleaner than many other heating methods. It does not involve combustion and is considered very safe because it is protected against overload by automatic switches. It’s quick to use, easy to adjust, and relatively quiet. The main disadvantages of the industry are the higher cost of electrical power compared to direct fuel use and the capital cost of both the unit itself and the electrical wiring required to deliver large amounts of electrical power to the point of use.
There are tons of different types of electric heat. Some of these methods are resistance heating, electric arc heating, induction heating and dielectric heating. The most common of them is resistance heating. With resistance heating from electric baseboard heating, water heater and kitchen stoves, you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide or unvented gases. However, direct electricity is not actually considered environmentally sound because most electricity uses fossil fuels. Approximately two-thirds of the energy in the fuel is lost within power plants and in transmission line losses. Some of the more popular options for electric heating systems are thermal storage systems, electric radiant heating, hydronic electric heating, and even convection heating. You can also install an off-peak system that can save money and also give you the convenience of electric heat. An example of an off-peak system that is very common today is an electric space heater. Another newer form of heating is an electric convection heating system. They both use electric heaters to heat the air which is then circulated with fans throughout the house.
As you can easily see, electric heating has some advantages and some disadvantages. The cost of electricity has continued to rise and will skyrocket even higher in the future. Many states have deregulated electricity or will do so in the near future. With the uncertainty of the future cost of electricity and the waste of the electricity transmission system, many owners of electric heating systems are deciding to switch to hydronic baseboard heating. With the extremely high efficiency of today’s oil and gas boilers, they are becoming much more attractive to many homeowners. Combining a high-efficiency oil or gas boiler with hot water baseboard or radiant heat will provide great comfort and low utility costs for many years.
Electric heat has a place where it shines, a seasonal cabin that will only be used a few times a year. It is very easy to turn off the heating and restart it when you arrive. There is also very little that can go wrong due to long periods of inactivity. In this electrical situation it is a very good option. This is the only situation where I recommend electric heat.