Electric Heating Systems

Wood Pellet BoilersWhat it is:

Running electricity through resistance creates heat. The resistance, often in the form of baseboard radiators or standalone heaters, heats space via radiation and convection. Electricity is provided by utilities, which in the US produce electricity primarily by natural gas, coal, and oil.

Nuclear fission is another major source of power. Hydropower and wind are growing areas of power production, primarily in the western states. Some utilities, notably in northern New England, are producing power by combustion of biomass.

Past, present, future

Electric heat was a popular way to heat in the 1960s. Since then, costs have risen to such an extent as to make this the most expensive way to heat.

Advantages:

  • Inexpensive to install.
  • Clean heat (i.e. no combustion on site).
  • 100% efficient at the point of use.
  • No maintenance required.

Disadvantages:

  • Electric is the most expensive form of heating.
  • Most electricity today is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels.
  • Using purchased electricity for heating is environmentally undesirable because of the low efficiency of power production and transmission vs. on-site heat production in a furnace or boiler.
  • This results in a high level of pollution per unit of heat delivered.

Ecological Impacts

  • Can be a major factor in the climate crisis/global warming if the electric power comes from fossil fuel fired generators.

Special comments

Could be a feasible solution if reasonably priced electrical energy is derived from photovoltaic, wind, or hydropower. This is not presently the case.

Interested in getting more information on electric heating systems? Simply fill out our short online request form and we can help with design an EcoHeat solution that's right for you.