Further Information
Further and more detailed information about insulation, the problems of heat loss and gain, and methods for calculating heat loss can be found by reading the appropriate sections of Chapter 2, “Heating Fundamentals”; Chapter 3, “Insulating and Ventilating Structures”; and Chapter 4, “Sizing Residential Heating and Air Conditioning Systems.”
Advantages of Electric Heating and Cooling Among the principal advantages of using electric heating and cooling are:
1. Greater safety
2. Quiet operation
3. Economy of space
4. Reduction of drafts
5. Reduction of outside noise
6. Uniform temperature
7. Structural design flexibility
Although the chances of an explosion in gas- or oil-fired heating systems have become very small because of the safety features built into these systems, an explosion simply cannot occur in total electric heating. A properly installed electric heating and cooling system will last for years without any problems. If a problem occurs (e.g., a defect in the heating unit or wiring), resistance builds up in the line to the fuse or circuit breaker box. At a certain point, the fuse will blow or the circuit breaker will trip, which will automatically shut off the electricity before any damage occurs.
Electric heating units are very compact and therefore utilize very little space. In baseboard systems, there is no need for ducts or pipes to carry a heat medium from its source to the space being heated. These factors offer a great degree of structural design flexibility because duct and pipe arrangements do not have to be taken into consideration. In addition, no chimney or flue arrangement is required.
In a structure properly insulated for electric heating and cooling, there is a marked reduction of drafts and the degree of outside noise penetration. Moreover, uniform temperatures will prevail.
Finally, an electric heating system is generally quieter than other types because fewer mechanical parts are involved. This quietness of operation is particularly characteristic of baseboard- type installations.
Disadvantages of Electric Heating and Cooling
An electrically heated and cooled structure offers certain inherent disadvantages when compared with other types of heating and cooling systems. Of course, this is true of any system regardless of the energy source. When choosing an energy source for a heating and cooling system, it is always necessary to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the system and its energy source carefully against the requirements you demand from them.
An electrically heated or cooled structure must be well insulated against heat gain or loss. If it isn’t, the cost of heating or cooling it will be extremely high. For that reason, electric systems are seldom installed in existing structures, except in situations where a room is added or a basement is finished.
Electric heating and cooling systems generally have higher operating costs. These energy costs are dependent upon a number of variables, such as the amount of insulation, the orientation of the structure, the number of windows (total glass area), the cost of electricity where the structure is located, and the energy use habits of the occupants.
One disadvantage of electric furnaces is that they are frequently oversized. An oversized electric furnace heats up and cools down too rapidly to maintain acceptable comfort levels in the rooms of a structure. However, oversizing is not a problem limited to electric furnaces. See Chapter 4, “Sizing Residential Heating and Air Conditioning Systems” for additional comments about the problem of oversizing.
Troubleshooting Electric Heating Systems
Table 9-3 suggests remedies for troubleshooting electric heating systems.
Caution
Never attempt to service or repair the electric controls inside an electric furnace cabinet unless you have the qualifications and experience to work with electricity. Potentially deadly high-voltage conditions exist inside these furnace cabinets.
