Electric heat via resisters is very simple, but very inefficient. (EDIT: Thermodynamically space-heaters are 100% efficient, since they always convert their so

Electric heat via resisters is very simple, but very inefficient. (EDIT: Thermodynamically space-heaters are 100% efficient, since they always convert their source energy into heat. They are inefficient from a monetary point-of-view.) You can do electric heat via heat pumps, but it requires more equipment and it doesn't work if it's too cold. You can get about a 4 to 5 advantage over plain resistance heat. Gasoline engines lose a lot of energy to waste heat -- but sometimes that waste heat is exactly what you want.