Environmental Costs

While the cost of buying and operating a new furnace often tops the list of concerns for shoppers, it's also important to consider the environmental costs of each of these electric panel heaters fuel options. Despite the relatively high efficiency of most electric heaters, electric heating is inherently inefficient. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, most electricity is produced using techniques that are only 30 percent efficient. In addition, coal represents one of the primary fuels used to produce electricity. While natural gas heaters production does release greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, this fuel burns much cleaner than coal and poses much less damage to the environment, according to the EPA