The effect of electric heating is mainly related to the production of electricity. The environmental impact of electric heating is actually dependant on the kind of electricity it consumes.
Electric Heating has a greater effect on the environment than heat pumps that provide the same amount of heat. Heat pumps are capable of providing larger amounts of heat, but the heat produced by electric heating is better. However, direct electric heating is generally not considered ecologically pleasant because most electricity uses fossil fuels, with up to two-thirds of energy in the fuel being lost at the power stations and in transmission losses.