Thread: thermostat
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posted to rec.boats.electronics
nollaigoc
 
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Default thermostat

The watt input between a bulb and a heater may be similar, but the
efficiency of heat transfer is related to surface area that can
radiate. A bulb has a tiny area compared to the surface area of an
electric heater and in a finite time will distribute its heat energy
less efficiently than a larger surface area heater.
In an infinite time span in a closed environment, the bulb and heater
will achieve almost a similar heat distribution. Since we don't have
infinite or even long time spans, a large surface area heater wins
everytime.