An electric convection heater that uses a fan to distribute warmed air is known as what?

An electric convection heater that uses a fan to distribute warmed air is known as a fan heater. This type of heater operates by drawing in cooler air from the room, passing it over a heating element, and then using a fan to blow the warmed air back into the space. This process effectively circulates heat throughout the room, providing a more uniform temperature compared to convection heaters that do not utilize a fan.

In contrast, radiant heaters operate by emitting infrared radiation to heat objects and people directly, rather than warming the air. Convection ovens are designed for cooking food using a fan to circulate hot air, which is a different function entirely. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are systems that transfer heat from one location to another, typically providing both heating and cooling capabilities, but they do not specifically refer to the operation of a simple electric convection heater with a fan. Thus, the term fan heater accurately describes the function and design of the device in question.