Electric Resistance Heating

Electric resistance heating is 100% energy efficient in the sense that all the incoming electric energy is converted to heat. However, most electricity is produced from coal, gas, or oil generators that convert only about 30% of the fuel's energy into electricity. Because of electricity generation and transmission losses, electric heat is often more expensive than heat produced in homes or businesses that use combustion appliances. 

If electricity is the only choice, heat pumps are preferable in most climates, as they easily cut electricity use by 50% when compared with electric resistance heating. There may be some exceptions, such as in climates with so few heating days that the cost of heating with electric resistance is not significant.

Electric resistance heating may also make sense for a home addition if it is not practical to extend the existing heating system to supply heat to the new addition.

Given the functionality of these units, they work best in areas that don’t always need air conditioning. That said, some homeowners have them in their garage or in an enclosed patio. 

As these areas are often cold from the outside air, trying to heat these spaces with a standard heater would be a waste of energy. Nonetheless, infrared heaters are effective for heating small or large spaces. 

But if you need consistent heat in a freezing climate, many people choose a gas furnace. These units usually reach a higher temperature when the outdoor air is near or below freezing.