In this article, we determined optimum position of a discrete heater by maximizing the conductance and then studied heat transfer and volume flow rate with the discrete heater at its optimum position in open cavities. Continuity, Navier-Stokes and energy equations are solved by finite difference-control volume numerical method. The relevant governing parameters were: the Rayleigh numbers from 10(6) to 10(12), the Prandtl number, Pr = 0.7, the cavity aspect ratio, A = H/L from 0.5 to 2, the wall thickness l/L from 0.05 to 0.15, the heater size h/L from 0.15 to 0.6, and the conductivity ratio k(r) from 1 to 50. We found that the global conductance is an increasing function of the Rayleigh number, the conductivity ratio, and a decreasing function of the wall thickness. Best thermal performance is obtained by positioning the discrete heater at off center and slightly closer to the bottom. The Nusselt number and the volume flow rate in and out the open cavity are an increasing function of the Rayleigh number and the wall thickness, and a decreasing function of the conductivity ratio. The Nusselt number is a decreasing function of the cavity aspect ratio and the volume flow rate is an increasing function of it. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.