This is the most common unit in homes and certainly the cheapest of all. It operates via a displacement of air or natural convection. Being very resistant, simply remove the dust annually using a vacuum cleaner while avoiding direct contact with heat dissipation fins, which are quite fragile.
The convector has proven itself and is increasingly popular. It can be installed anywhere in the home. It emits heat with a greater speed, amplitude and projection than the baseboard due to the chimney effect that the format specifies. It is cleaned using the same method as the baseboard.
A fan heater is a unit with a ventilation mechanism (fan) with or without a variable speed. There exists an impressive variety. It can be installed at the bottom of walls or even further up, the kick space of a cabinet, in a hallway, the ceiling of a garage or bathroom, etc. Depending on the model, it is sometimes equipped with a dust filter.
The heating cable radiates in the room where it is installed, the same way as the sun. It does not heat the air, but the masses above and around it. These masses absorb the heat and in turn release it. The heating cable which is rarely installed in walls and ceiling coverings, is most often found in the floor. It is very efficient and greatly increases comfort; it is most frequently installed under ceramic tiles. Clean, quiet and completely silent, it can heat a house meeting the highest and most current insulation criteria.
The rays emitted by the electric radiant heater directly targets material and the people in its path. A healthy way to heat and extremely safe, often it is found installed above a glass door. This is an ingenious and efficient heating supplement.
The electric forced air furnace has its place in homes with ventilation ducts. It alone provides all the energy the house needs to be heated. This is the main element of the heating system called "central". It can be amalgamated with an air conditioning system.
Different types of duct heaters have different applications. Firstly, it can be located at the outlet of the forced air heating system and be used as a primary or secondary source of heat. Secondly it can be located under a register located in the room. It will provide the desired comfort level in the room without requiring additional effort from the central furnace. Thirdly, it can also be used to preheat the fresh, outside air before it enters the home's heating system.
It is very useful in the basement, the garage or workshop. Its power and performance are remarkably effective.
This is a high capacity unit often used in public places, commercial and industrial buildings and rural areas.
Baseboards constitute a heating system where they are found in every room of the house. The average cost of a good quality electric baseboard is about $55. They are usually installed under the windows of each room. A complete set of baseboards would cost from $650 to $1100. The cost of labor can easily reach $2,000 and is less dependent on the configuration of the house. Baseboards require virtually no maintenance except for an annual dusting. Heating costs are around $2,100 per year.
Like baseboards, convectors can heat a house by themselves. A quality convector costs on average $380. A set of convectors installed in every room of a home can cost between $2,600 and $4,000, depending on the number of rooms and their dimensions. The maintenance period and cost of installation and operation are essentially the same as for baseboards.
The electric furnace (central heating) offers some good benefits. It can be installed at different heights (horizontal and vertical); it requires little clearance relative to the walls and can be combined with air conditioning. The initial investment is reasonable when replacing an existing furnace; the price can vary between $2,000 and $3,000. Add to that a price between $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the configuration of the dispersion of air required for the installation of ducts and a few accessories. The upgrade of the electrical panel must also be taken into account if it is necessary. The heating cost of such a system for the average home is around $2,100 annually.
This is the least visible system since it is hidden under the floor covering. The electrical panel must have the necessary power available; otherwise it will require an upgrade that can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Expect to pay between $8,000 and $12,000 for an entire home installation plus around $1,500 labor costs. The system requires no special maintenance, since it is hidden under the floor covering and protected. The annual usage fees amount to approximately $1,900, depending on the rates of the electricity supplier, the duration of heating and the temperature selected by the occupants of the residence.