--- title: "Electric building heating methods" subject: "Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination" chapter: 5 key: "semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination:building-electric-heating" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/building-electric-heating site: BCT Engineering --- # Electric building heating methods Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination · Chapter 5: Electrification of Industrial Building - Asked in: 2068 Jestha (old course), 8 marks - Video: [Electric heating | Utilization of electrical energy |UEE 6th semester | Heating methods |polytechnic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8gJWExeq8) — Careers for Engineers - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/building-electric-heating - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/chapter-5 ## Question What are various methods employed for building heating system using electric energy? ## Short answer Methods include direct resistance heaters (convectors, fan heaters, radiant heaters), embedded panel heating, storage heating using off-peak power, central electric boilers, heat pumps (COP ~3), and infrared heating. All are clean, thermostatically controlled, and zoned. ## Answer **Electric building (space) heating** converts electrical energy into heat to keep rooms at a comfortable temperature. It is clean, needs no fuel storage or chimney, is easy to control with thermostats, and has nearly 100 % conversion efficiency at the point of use (heat pumps give even more heat than the electricity used). The main methods are: #### 1. Direct resistance heaters Current through a resistance element produces heat (I²R). - **Convection heaters (convectors):** an element at the bottom heats air, which rises and circulates through the room by natural convection. Oil-filled radiators work the same way using oil as a heat store. - **Fan heaters / forced-air heaters:** a fan blows air over the hot element; heats a room quickly. - **Radiant heaters:** a red-hot element with a reflector (bar heater, quartz/infrared lamp) radiates heat directly onto people and objects; good for large halls and outdoor areas. #### 2. Embedded (panel) heating Heating cables or panels are buried in the **floor, ceiling or walls**. The large warm surface heats the room by low-temperature radiation and convection. Underfloor heating gives uniform, comfortable heat and no visible equipment. #### 3. Storage heating Heaters with a block of high-heat-capacity material (bricks, ceramic) are charged at night with cheap off-peak electricity and release heat during the day, controlled by dampers. Flattens the utility load curve. #### 4. Central electric heating An electric boiler (resistance or electrode type) heats water or air, which is circulated through radiators or ducts to all rooms. Suits large buildings. #### 5. Heat pump heating A vapour-compression heat pump (reverse-cycle air conditioner) extracts heat from outside air or ground and delivers it indoors. It gives about 3 units of heat per unit of electricity (COP ≈ 3), so it is the most energy-efficient electric method, and the same unit cools in summer. #### 6. Infrared heating Infrared lamps or panels heat people and surfaces directly, not the air; used in factory work bays, warehouses with high ceilings and loading docks. **Control:** thermostats, timers and zoning switch the heaters on only where and when needed, which saves energy. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which is a direct resistance heating method? A. Heat pump B. Convection, fan and radiant heaters using I^2R C. Storage bricks charged at night D. Electric boiler only Answer: B. Convection, fan and radiant heaters all produce heat by current through a resistance element. (Key point: Resistance heaters) 2. What is the advantage of storage heating? A. Charged at night with off-peak electricity, releasing heat in the day and flattening the load curve B. It uses fuel C. It needs no insulation D. It heats only in the morning with peak power Answer: A. Heat is stored in bricks/ceramic using cheap off-peak power and released during the day. (Key point: Storage heating) 3. Why is a heat pump the most energy-efficient electric method? A. It converts electricity to heat at 50 % efficiency B. It moves heat from outside air or ground, giving about 3 units of heat per unit of electricity (COP about 3) C. It burns gas D. It uses a red-hot element Answer: B. A vapour-compression heat pump extracts heat from outside, delivering more heat than electrical input. (Key point: Heat pump) 4. How does embedded (panel) heating warm a room? A. Cables in floor, ceiling or walls give a large warm surface that heats by low-temperature radiation and convection B. A fan blows air over a hot bar C. Infrared lamps heat only the air D. Hot water pipes only Answer: A. A large low-temperature surface gives uniform comfortable heat with no visible equipment. 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