Which type of heating system uses resistive heating elements in ducts?

A duct heater is specifically designed to use resistive heating elements that are installed in the ducts of a heating system. When electrical resistance is applied to the heating elements, they generate heat, which is then distributed through the ductwork to warm the air in the living spaces. This process is efficient and direct, allowing for effective temperature control across the home or building.

Electric heaters, while they may also produce heat through resistive means, do not necessarily involve ductwork for distribution. They can be standalone units that operate independently of an HVAC duct system. Heat pumps, on the other hand, operate by transferring heat rather than generating it through resistive elements. They are more complex systems that extract heat from the outside air or ground and move it inside. Radiant heaters provide warmth by generating infrared heat directly to objects and people in a space rather than through an air distribution system.

This characteristic of duct heaters makes them ideally suited for integration into existing duct systems, allowing for seamless and efficient heating solutions.