A precise measurement of field test was performed to estimate the thermal performance of the forced convection electric air heater by experiment. Air temperature, flow rate and electrical power input were measured with the related measurement sensors, and acquisition methods for the measured data were studied to estimate the thermal performance of the tested air heater effectively. To determine the mean air temperature at the flow cross-section, measuring positions were chosen by considering the flow velocity profile and the equally divided cross-sectional area. From the experimental results, thermal efficiency was obtained accurately as an indication of the tested heating system performance.