Efficient, versatile, clean, convenient

Press, 15 June 1983, Page 25

Efficient, versatile, clean, convenient

The most valuable feature in electric heating is that electricity generates heat by passing an electric current through a wire — and not by combustion. There are, thus, no byproducts of combustion, such as soot, smells or other waste products, and no pollution of the atmosphere. The second valuable feature is that the power is available at the turn of a switch, and automatic control is -actical at a rela-

tively low cost, with 100 per cent efficiency. Two forms of heating are provided by'electric heaters — radiant and convective. Radiant heat travels in straight lines but is unable to pass through most solid objects, though it does go through glass. The radiation quickly warms most objects, which then warm the surrounding air. Provided there are no draughts, the temperature of the whole room will gradually rise.

The small radiant heaters are very versatile, being light in weight and easy to carry. Convection heaters are not good at providing heat in a hurry or in a draughty place, but because they warm the air, they can be effectively controlled by thermostat.

A specialised type of convection heater is the fan heater. With hot air blown out at floor level, the mixing of cold and hot air is more rapid and the room

warms more evenly. A living room is best served by either a large, free-standing radiant heater or a fan heater — or a permanently-fixed radiant heater and a small fan heater.

A convector panel heater, or a fan heater thermostatically set to a low temperature, is satisfactory for use in a bedroom, dining room or hallway. A radiant heater or

purpose-built fan heater at above doorway height is best for a bathroom, and similarly high-level radiant heaters are good for kitchens, workshops, and other open areas.