Abstract: An airstream is established and flows about a resistance heater element in an electrical appliance. The heater element is energized by a cyclical potential. A temperature control circuit is provided which includes a switch connected in series with a heat sensor for applying the cyclical potential to the heater. A half-wave rectifier in the control circuit is electrically connected in series with the switch and across the heat sensor. Energization of the heater heats the airstream to an operating temperature T.sub.1. The heat sensor is operable to detect an undesired increase in temperature above a safe limit temperature T.sub.2 which is greater than T.sub.1. At a temperature greater than T.sub.2 the heat sensor automatically opens the series circuit to interrupt energization of the heater. During the open circuit condition of the heat sensor the half-wave rectifier is operable for applying half-cycles of the cyclical potential to the heater.