Glossary · Heating, cooling & ventilation
Electric resistance heat
Also called: electric baseboard · electric baseboards · baseboard heaters · baseboard heat · electric furnace · resistance heat
Heating with electric elements that turn electricity directly into heat, such as baseboards, electric furnaces and heat pump backup strips.
What it means
Electric resistance heat is simple and nearly 100% efficient at the point of use, but each kilowatt-hour gives only one kilowatt-hour of heat (a COP of about 1). A heat pump can deliver the same heat with much less electricity. Resistance elements are often used as auxiliary heat in heat pump systems.
Why it matters in an audit
Homes heated by baseboards or electric furnaces often have the most to gain from air sealing, insulation and a heat pump.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump comparison (DOE) | Heat pumps can use about 50% less electricity for heating than electric furnaces or baseboards | energy.gov ↗ |