Electric heating is one of the most popular methods of heating. It has a lot of benefits over other methods, but there are also some drawbacks. In this blog post, Absolute Electrical Heating and Air will discuss the pros and cons of electric heating so that you can decide if it is the right choice for you!
Before discussing the pros and cons of electric heating, it is essential to understand how it works. Electric heating uses resistance to convert electrical energy into heat. This process is also called Joule heating, and it is the same process that occurs in a light bulb. The heat is then transferred to the surroundings, and this is how electric heating works.
Types Of Electric Heating
Here are some of the forms of electric heating that you can find.
Baseboard heaters – Baseboard heaters work by convection, where heated air around the baseboard heater becomes more buoyant and rises. The heated air is then replaced with cooler air, which gets heated and rises too. This process continues until the entire room reaches the desired temperature.
Radiant infrared space heaters – Radiant heaters work by directly emitting waves of heat that people and objects absorb in the room. These radiant infrared space heaters use elements fitted within a glass envelope that outputs heat when an electric current passes through it.
Now that we have seen how different forms of electric heating work, let’s look at some of its pros and cons.
PROS
Easy to install – Electric heating is easy to install because all you need is an electrical outlet. You don’t need to worry about things like fuel delivery or ventilation. Because of the ease of installation, electric heaters are pretty popular among home and business owners.
Relatively inexpensive to install – Electric heating is one of the most inexpensive ways to heat your home or office. This is because most electric heaters consist of simple components. They will mainly consist of electric wiring that transmits electricity to a heat-producing element. In addition, these heaters feature a thermostat to control the temperature. That is pretty much it.
Easier maintenance – Electric heating systems are much easier to maintain than other heating systems. They have fewer moving parts which are quite simple. So, If something does go wrong with your electric heater, it will be much easier and less expensive to fix. In addition, there are fewer safety risks in the event of a malfunction since no fuel is involved.
Highly Scalable – You can easily scale an electric heating system to meet your needs. So, whether you have a small home or a large office, you can adapt electric heating to suit your space.
Eco-friendly – Electric heating is an eco-friendly option. This type of heating generates no emissions. So, by installing an electric heating system, you are helping reduce the carbon footprint.
You can decentralize electric heating – One of the great benefits of electric heating is you can decentralize it. You can have multiple small heaters in different rooms rather than one large central heater. This can be very beneficial if you have varying heating needs in different parts of your home or office.
CONS
As much as there are several advantages of electric heating, there are some drawbacks that you should be aware of.
High operation cost – For large spaces, electric heating can be quite expensive to operate in large areas. This is because you will need to use a lot of electricity to heat the space. In addition, the source of electricity will also play a role in the cost of operation. For instance, the cost will be lower if you use renewable energy sources. However, if you use fossil fuels, expect the cost to be higher.
Dangerous – Electric heating can be hazardous if not used properly. If your technician didn’t do wiring correctly, it could cause fires or even electrocution.
Slower heating – An electric heating system takes longer to heat a space than other types of heating. This is because the element needs time to heat up before it can start emitting heat to a room.
Maybe noisy – Some electric heaters can be noisy. They may make a humming noise when turned on.
Overall, electric heating has both its advantages and disadvantages. However, it is still a popular choice among home and business owners because of its easy installation and low start-up cost. If you are considering electric heating for your space, be sure to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
