Abstract: An electric multi-stage heater assembly that provides multi-level heating using a plurality of separately controllable heating elements within a housing that is readily interchangeable with standard single-stage heater housings that can be controlled by conventional power switching circuits. The multi-stage heater assembly of this invention has each electric heater element straddling a support member with a portion of the heater element extending from one side to the other to maintain the electrical continuity of the element. The support member has a plurality of cut-outs that provide space for routing the cross over portion of the heater element and sufficient clearance to accommodate the inevitable droop associated with heat cycling electric resistive heater elements. The support member is equipped with a plurality of insulators which support and electrically insulate the heater element. The insulators are arranged to cooperatively rotate within the support member to minimize sagging of the heater elements.