We are living with limited energy sources.
Or we can say all the amounts of fossil fuels are limited. That is why we need to search for alternative options.
Electric heating is one of the alternatives.
We are no longer living in ancient days when we needed to burn wood or coal in order to get the heat during those chilly wintery days. We have a smart solution for electric heaters. Apart from heating up the room, the electric heating process is also used for various purposes.
The best part is that electric heating is much more economical. The electric heater running costs are really less than conventional heating.
Here, in this article, we will talk about electric heating. So, let’s start with getting the basic knowledge about it.
What Is Electric Heating?
The particular process where the electrical energy is converted into heat is known as electric heating. This is done by resisting the free flow of electrical current. Using this process, a number of devices are made, and the most popular and common one is an electric room heater.
What Are The Types Of Electric Heating?
Now, as you know what electric heating is, let’s have a look at the different types of electric heating. There are basically two different types of electric heating. Here they are.
Type 1: Power Frequency Heating
This particular type of heating is used directly to heat any object. Usually, power heating is also classified into two parts.
Resisting Heating is classified into two types of electrical heating, and they are;
- Infrared or radiant heating.
- Direct resistance heating.
- Indirect resistance heating.
Arc heating is classified into two types of heating and they are;
- Direct arc heating.
- Indirect arc heating.
Type 2: High-Frequency Heating
Now comes high-frequency heating, which is also divided into three types. Among them, Induction Heating is the most common and popular one. It is further divided into two kinds, and they are:
- Direct Induction Heating.
- Indirect Induction Heating.
Application Of Electric Heating
In different types of heating processes, electrical heating is used in homes and also in various industries. Here are some of the major applications of electric heating.
Domestic And Commercial Applications
Let’s check out the domestic and commercial applications of electric heating.
- Electric kettles and coffee percolators.
- Electric irons.
- Electric heaters, like immersion heaters, room heaters, hot plates for cooking, and a lot more.
- Popcorn plants.
- Electric ocean, electric toaster, electric tandoor.
- Hit air dryers for drying laboratory equipment or wet hairs.
Industrial Application
Now, check out the industrial applications of electric heating.
- The enameling of copper conductor.
- Making bread, biscuits, and many more.
- Making of plywood.
- Heat treatments for different processes, like normalizing, hardening, tempering, annealing, soldering, joining, brazing, case hardening, and some more.
- Melting for purification or extraction of metals.
- Heat treatment for painted surfaces.
- Molding of glass in order to make glass appliances.
- Baking or insulators, sanitary fittings, potteries.
Advantages Of Electric Heating
Now, we have covered the types and also applications of electric heating. It is time to understand the benefits of electric heating over other heating methods, like coal, oil, or gas heating.
Uniform Heating
In electric induction heating, the heat is being produced within the workpiece and it results in a uniform heating of the particular object.
Easy Control
One of the best parts about electrical heating is that it can be begun instantaneously or stopped at the needed time by maintaining a time gap between switching off along with cooling the particular heating circuit.
And also, with the electric heating process, automatic switching controls are completely possible. You might have an electric iron or electric heater that switches off automatically after meeting a certain temperature point.
No Pollution
When it is electric heating, you can be assured about a neat and clean atmosphere. Due to the absence of coal dust or smoke, this process does not pollute the environment. Also, electric heating does not involve any flue gasses.
As a result of that, the atmosphere does not suffer from any pollution, and also, no heat losses are incurred through flue gasses or smoke. When it is electric heating, the rate of noise produced is also really low.
Controlled Temperature
In electric heating, one can control the temperature very precisely. It is not at all possible in the case of non-electrical heating processes.
Highest Efficiency Of Utilization
The entire heat that is produced by electric heating does not at all go waste through chimneys and any other by-products. Here, most of the heat that is produced is utilized up to 75% to 100%.
Automatic Protection
Honestly, electric heating is pretty much safe and also responds quickly. As electric heating offers protection against overcurrent and overheating, and that too by using fast control devices.
More Economical
Electrical furnaces never require a lot of space for installation; no chimney needs to be constructed, no storage for firewood and coal. Due to all these reasons, electric heating is much more economical than non-electric heating.
Plus, electrical heating appliances come at a cheaper rate, and in order to operate and maintain them, one does not need to have much skill.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
After going through this article, you might have understood electric heating, its benefits, and its usage. Now, we are answering some of the most common questions that you might have in your mind.
Q1: How Many Types Of Electric Heaters Are There?
Basically, electric heaters are divided into different categories on the basis of their mode of heat transfer, and they are of 3 types.
- Radiation.
- Convection.
- Conduction.
In these heaters, various types of heating elements are present. Among them, nickel alloy is the best to use. Apart from that, you might also know that different types of heaters are present that serve different purposes;
- Foil heaters.
- Duct heaters.
- Air heaters.
Q2: What Are The Electrical Heating Elements?
A heating element is basically a device or material that converts electrical energy directly into heat or thermal energy. And this is done through a principle known as Joule Heating.
Q3: Is Electric Heat Safe?
Well, it might surprise you that electric radiators are safe. There would be no need for fire safety training in Wigan or anywhere else. They are among the safest types of heating that you can install within your home. If you compare electric radiators with other heating appliances, these facts become more obvious.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
