Abstract: An electric heater for warming the interior of cars, trucks and the like includes a relatively short cylindrical casing having a base end plate, an air intake end plate and a circumferential side wall. A motor driven fan is provided in the casing and arranged to draw air in axially through the intake for radial expulsion through discharge perforations in the side wall through 360.degree.. An electric heating element formed in a single length counterangulated to form inner and outer portions is arranged in the casing between the motor driven fan and the sidewall for heating the air prior to expulsion. The heating element is supported by a combined air deflector and support bracket extending 180.degree. within the casing. A guard strip supported by the bracket is provided between the heating element and casing side wall. A thermostatic control is situated in the casing between the fan motor and bracket so as to be shielded from the heating element by the bracket.