What contributes to the cooling effect in electric heating due to malfunctioning systems?

The scenario describes how malfunctioning electric heating systems can lead to unexpected cooling effects. Overly frequent cycling of the heater indeed plays a significant role in contributing to this phenomenon. When a heater cycles too often, it may not operate long enough to generate adequate heat. This can cause the ambient temperature in the space to fluctuate, creating drafts or cooler spots as the heater turns on and off rapidly.

In such cases, the system might not have enough time to provide a stable and consistent heating output before cycling off again, leading to inefficiencies that can mimic or create a cooling effect in the space. This can be particularly evident if the heater is not effectively warming the air enough during its operating cycles.

On the other hand, proper insulation, while important for maintaining temperature control, does not directly cause a cooling effect from the heating system itself. Inadequate airflow from ducts may hinder the system's performance, but it typically leads to uneven heating rather than creating a cooling effect. High efficiency ratings are indicative of the system's performance but do not directly contribute to any cooling issues in the event of system malfunction. Thus, frequent cycling of the heater is the key factor that can lead to these unexpected cooling effects.