Electric heat

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33819, 16 April 1975, Page 17

Electric heat

(From the Electrical Supply Authorities Association')

Electricity when used for ! heating, has two unique features in which it differs I from all other fuels. ' Heat is generated by the passage of an electric current, not by combustion. This means that there is no smoke, no fumes, no , odours, no ash to get rid I of. There is no pollution or ! contamination of the | atmosphere, nor deposit of dust or dirt, on the furniture, curtain fabrics and i the like. Wherever com- | bustion occurs, there must , be air movement, which not only introduces more I cold air, but also brings in i draughts and all the dust ! and dirt floating in the , atmosphere. Electric heat is clean, it j is a direct transfer from j the heated conductor to the f surrounding atmosphere, j and does not require any oxygen or other material I or gas to help produce i heat. Second advantage Because the heat is generated in a conductor of electricity, the heating element can be shaped to suit the purpose for which heat i is required. It can be narrow beam for concentrated ; heat, or wide beam for I covering a broad area. It I can be embedded in the I floor (for if our feet are

warm, we are comfortable) or directed from walls or ceiling. It can be shaped to fit round a pipe or a tank (for special applications) it can be stored in suitable materials when a cheap night rate or controlled rate tariff is available, for use at other times of the day. Home heaters The various types of home heaters fall broadly into two groups, radiant and convector, but each group has many subdivisions and often overlap to some degree. The radiant type are more directional and are ideal for a quick warm-up in a localised area. Many are portable and their-cheery glow helps induce a feeling of warmth. Because of their very quick response time, generally only a matter of one or two minutes, they are not so suitable for thermostatic control. With the convector type, it is the air which is

warmed and by virtue of its warmth rises, without creating any draught, and quickly circulates. In the, common pane! form, they can easily be fastened to the walls, they take up no valuable floor space, and can be easily controlled by a thermostat to maintain an even and equable temperature. No losses Whichever type of heater ■ is used — and there are many variations within I these two broad groupings,; one factor is common.] Again due to the fact that there is no combustion, no intake of cold air to supply oxygen, no flue or] vent, all the heat generated ] is given out into the room. Electric heating is truly' 100 per cent efficient. Costs Electric heating is. cheap and very economical in- 1 spite of some statements i made to the contrary. For localised heating, nothing i can be cheaper than some of the portable types read-, ily available and for those who want something more elaborate, a wide variety of' types and designs are available. If central heating is contemplated w'hether it be by panel or by storage heating capital costs are in general much lower % than for any alternative ‘ form. and installation costs are very reasonable. No building or' structural alterations are needed, no flues or vents. I not even a storage tank needs to be installed. It is possible, if so desired, to plan the installation. that some units only are: installed initially, and’ other rooms connected in: as finance or other condi-' lions allow. In such cases of course, the installation of the mains, main switch board and so on should be designed for the ultimate.