How Do Electric Fires Work?

In United Kingdom, the electric heaters or convection heaters are called electric fires. Initially, these electric fires were used in place of open fires. Thus, it took the name electric fires.  In this appliance, electric energy is converted into heat energy. Electric fires work on the principle of Joule Heating. The appliance holds an electric resistor and the electric current flows through this resistor. The resistor transforms this electrical energy into heat.

When heating proceeds, electric heaters make used of the natural convection phenomenon. The air near the resistor heats up. This air being less dense and thus lighter than the air outside the heater rises up. As it moves up, its place is taken by, denser air in the room. Now, this dense air near the resistor starts heating. This process continues setting up convection current. The heated air that moves up is let out through holes or some vent. Thus, the room is heated by this continuous convection process.