[Grovenet] Electric Heating

[Walt Wentz]

Electrical efficiency is the economic factor. Heaters convert 
electricity into convective and/or radiant heat. Their measure of 
efficiency is sometimes printed on the packaging.
"Cadet" wall heaters offer fast convective heat. They blow warm air 
when they're on, but offer little residual heat when the element goes 
off, so the temperature in the room can zigzag. Be sure to check the 
model numbers on the Web! Some Cadet heaters with defective switches 
have been implicated with electrical fires in the past.
Oil-filled heaters offer slower but more efficient convective 
heating... they radiate heat even after the element goes off.
Heat lamps or "crystal heaters" provide radiant heat only to the spot 
where they are directed, and aren't terribly efficient.
Radiators offer the most even and pleasant heat, but would need a 
solar water heater on the roof or a south-facing slope to be really 
efficient and cost-effective. And that would require a backup on 
winter days.


>Any advice on electric heating? We're adding a couple of bedrooms, 
>bath and eating nook and do not want to tie them into our forced-air 
>gas furnace.
>
>The electrician suggested "cadet" heaters. Any comments on those?
>
>And what about the bathroom? I don't like those heat lamp bulbs.
>
>Thanks. --Martha K.
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