What Is The Most Efficient Electricity To Heat?
When it comes to home heating systems, efficiency refers to the amount of energy required to produce a given amount of heat output. More efficient systems and appliances convert a higher percentage of input energy into usable heat, while less efficient ones waste more energy during the process. For electricity-powered heating, an efficient system maximizes heat production while minimizing electrical consumption.
This article will compare the most common types of electric home heating systems – heat pumps, electric furnaces, and electric baseboard heaters – in terms of efficiency. Regional climate differences, ways to improve efficiency further, and operating costs will also be covered to help homeowners determine the most efficient electric heating solution for their specific needs.
Electric Heating Options
There are three main types of electric heating systems commonly used in homes: electric baseboard heaters, electric furnaces, and heat pumps. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Electric baseboard heaters are the most basic type of electric heat. They consist of long heating units mounted along baseboard walls with an electric heating element inside. When turned on, the heating element warms up and heats the surrounding air. Baseboards are inexpensive to install but can be inefficient and use a lot of electricity to maintain heat (Cadet).
Electric furnaces work similarly to gas furnaces but use electricity rather than gas to power the system. They have heating elements that warm air which is then blown through ductwork into the home. Electric furnaces can provide whole-home heating but are generally more expensive to operate than heat pumps (Cornhusker Power).
Heat pumps are the most energy efficient form of electric heat. They work by transferring heat rather than converting it from electricity. Heat pumps move heat from outside into the home during winter and vice versa during summer. There are air-source and geothermal heat pumps. Air-source pumps pull heat from outdoor air while geothermal ones use pipes buried underground (The Spruce).
Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps are an electric heating and cooling system that utilizes refrigerant to transfer heat into or out of a home. They work like a refrigerator in reverse – using electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space. Heat pumps use electricity to move heat rather than generate it directly like an electric furnace or baseboard heater. This makes them much more efficient at heating.
Heat pumps have an indoor unit and compressor outside similar to central AC. During winter they extract outside heat from the air, ground or water and pump it indoors. This allows them to provide up to 3-4 times more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume, with a COP (coefficient of performance) over 1.0. Their efficiency also means heat pumps provide heating at a lower cost than baseboard heaters or electric furnaces.
Pros of heat pumps compared to baseboards:
- More energy efficient for heating
- Lower electricity costs
- Provide both heating and cooling
- Better zone temperature control
- Heat distribution through ductwork
Cons of heat pumps:
- Higher upfront installation cost
- Require more maintenance
- May need backup heat source in extremely cold weather
Sources:
https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/blog/heat-pumps-versus-electric-baseboard-heat
Heat Pumps Vs Electric Baseboard Heat: Everything You Need to Know
Electric Baseboard Heaters
Electric baseboard heaters work by using electric resistance coils to heat up and radiate heat into a room. The coils get hot when electric current passes through them, similar to how a toaster or electric stove works. As the coils heat up, they warm the surrounding metal fins, which then radiate the heat outwards into the room.
Compared to heat pumps and furnaces, electric baseboard heaters have some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Relatively low upfront equipment cost
- Easy to install DIY in existing homes
- Heat can be zone controlled room-by-room
Cons:
- Less energy efficient than heat pumps, citing Ultimate Guide to Efficient Baseboard Heaters
- No cooling ability unlike heat pumps
- Can dry out air leading to discomfort
Overall, electric baseboard heating tends to be less efficient than heat pump systems, but has a lower upfront cost. The efficiency can vary based on the age and quality of the baseboard heaters.
Electric Furnaces
Electric furnaces use electric heating elements to generate heat and distribute it through ductwork. They have an efficiency rating of close to 100%, meaning almost all the electricity consumed is converted into heat [1]. However, this does not account for the efficiency of generating the electricity in the first place, which can vary greatly depending on the energy source.
Compared to heat pumps, electric furnaces have higher operating costs since they use resistive electric heating rather than moving heat between spaces. However, they have lower upfront costs since they don’t require installation of an outdoor unit. They can serve as an efficient backup heating system paired with a heat pump [2].
Compared to electric baseboard heaters, furnaces are more efficient at distributing warm air throughout the home via ductwork. However, baseboard heaters provide zone heating capabilities in specific rooms. Baseboard heaters also have lower upfront costs compared to a central furnace system.
Comparing Efficiency
When comparing the efficiency of different electric heating options, it’s important to consider both operating costs and energy use. Electric resistance heating, like baseboard heaters and electric furnaces, converts 100% of the electricity into heat, making it 100% energy efficient [1]. However, resistance heating is usually the most expensive electric heating option when considering operating costs. Heat pumps are generally considered the most efficient electric heating system because they move existing heat rather than generate new heat. For every unit of electricity used, heat pumps can deliver up to 3-4 units of heat, giving them a coefficient of performance (COP) rating of 3-4 [2]. This makes heat pumps 2-3 times more efficient than resistance heating methods. Overall, heat pumps have lower operating costs than other electric options despite having a higher upfront cost. When comparing efficiency, both energy use and operating costs over the lifetime of the system should be evaluated.
Regional Differences
The most efficient type of electric heating can vary greatly depending on your region and climate. Colder regions that regularly experience below-freezing temperatures in winter will likely find heat pumps to be less efficient than electric furnaces or baseboard heaters. According to Modernize, “electric heat pumps are great heating systems for homes in warmer climates, while gas furnaces are better for areas that get colder in the winters” (https://modernize.com/homeowner-resources/hvac/best-heating-system-by-region).
Heat pumps work by transferring heat rather than converting electricity directly into heat. This makes them more efficient in milder climates where they can readily extract heat from the air or ground. But in very cold conditions, their capacity diminishes and auxiliary electric resistance heaters activate, reducing efficiency. A study by Canary Media found the highest numbers of heat pump installations in warmer states like Florida and Texas (https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/heat-pumps/chart-which-states-have-the-most-heat-pumps).
For cold regions, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends heat pumps only if you have moderate heating needs. Otherwise electric furnaces or baseboard units may be more cost effective (https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/electric-resistance-heating). The optimal electric heating choice depends significantly on your climate and needs.
Improving Efficiency
There are several ways to maximize the efficiency of electric heating in a home.
Proper insulation is key for reducing heat loss and improving efficiency. Insulating attics, walls, floors, basements and crawl spaces can significantly reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a home (https://www.128plumbing.com/get-the-most-out-of-electric-heat-efficiency/).
Using a programmable or smart thermostat allows heating to be lowered automatically when not needed, like at night or when away from home. Setting thermostats to 68°F or lower during the day and even lower at night can save up to 10% on heating costs (https://www.jnaonline.com/blog/heating-service/improve-heating-efficiency/).
Heat pumps are much more efficient for heating than electric resistance heaters because they move existing heat rather than generating new heat. Air source and geothermal heat pumps can provide the same amount of heat using much less electricity.
Regular maintenance like replacing filters and cleaning ducts improves efficiency by allowing systems to run optimally. Tuning up heating systems annually can identify issues early before they turn into major repairs.
Cost Comparison
When considering the most efficient electric heating system, it’s important to compare the operating costs of the different options. According to Shrink That Footprint, the annual cost of electric heat is $34.9 per million BTU compared to only $9.2 per million BTU for natural gas heat1. Efficiency Maine’s residential heating system cost calculator shows that electric baseboard heaters have an average annual operating cost of $1,843 while heat pumps average $7942.
Fixr provides a helpful visual comparison, showing that electric furnaces have the lowest equipment cost at $1,100 but electric boilers have the lowest installation cost at only $3003. Overall, heat pumps consistently rank as the most efficient electric heating option when considering both equipment and operating costs. With government rebates, their higher upfront cost can usually be recouped through energy savings within a few years.
Conclusion
When it comes to the most efficient electric heating options, heat pump systems tend to be the top choice in most regions. Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling efficiently by transferring heat rather than generating it directly. Types like air source and geothermal heat pumps can operate at 300-500% efficiency by leveraging compression and evaporation.
Electric baseboard heaters and electric furnaces convert 100% of electricity into heat, but they lack the efficiency gains from heat pumps. However, they may still be preferred in some colder regions where extreme lows limit heat pump performance. Improving insulation, sealing air leaks, and using smart thermostats can boost efficiency across all electric heating systems.
Key takeaways for readers are that heat pump systems are generally the most efficient electric heating option, but performance varies by climate. Electric baseboard and furnace systems can also be cost-effective choices in certain regions. Enhancing insulation, reducing air leaks, and upgrading to programmable thermostats provide efficiency gains no matter which type of electric heating is used.
