An electric heater uses electricity as a fuel, rather than natural gas like most heaters. Electric heaters can run in many types of ways, including fan-forced and radiant. Fan-forced heaters use a heating element to heat the air, which then gets forced out by a fan. Radiant heaters, also known as infrared heaters, generate heat which warms people and objects rather than the air. This makes a great option for outdoor spaces such as patios, since no energy gets wasted trying to heat the outside air, and elements such as wind don’t affect the heat. Electric heaters have a lower installation cost compared to gas heaters, and they have lower maintenance. They also last longer than gas heaters. Gas heaters, like any gas appliances, pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, but electric heaters avoid this problem. Electric heaters do have some disadvantages in certain applications. Electricity costs more than gas, and the heater takes longer to power up. If you plan on using your heater in a small space or a warmer climate, these disadvantages won’t affect you very much, and the lower cost of installation makes the higher cost of the electricity worth it.