Space heaters are a quick and effective solution to cold winter problems. They are a helpful home appliance and can provide a relatively easy solution to cold in areas where the temperature easily drops below freezing. They are easy to install, light, portable, and extremely cost-effective regarding their purchasing and operating costs. There are different types of space heaters and based on their design concepts. They have different working principles. Detailed information about how a space heater works is essential to know not only the product you are purchasing but also the advantages, disadvantages, operating cost, risks, hazards, precautions, and safety from those hazards. Knowing how the space heater works can also help in easy repairing, fixing of a space heater, and cleaning.
This article will explore different types of space heaters, their working, and the parameter of their consideration to install them into your home.
Different Types Of Space Heaters Works On Different Working Principles
When shopping for a space heater, you frequently hear the terms vented heaters, infrared heaters, convection heaters, and infrared heaters. These words can put you in a lot of confusion if you do not know the working and properties of these heaters.
There are two main types of heaters: combustible space heaters and electric space heaters. Combustible space heaters are traditional space heaters that work on fossil fuels such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, etc. They are considered more dangerous than electric space heaters. On the other hand, an electric space heater works on electrical energy and does not have any flame to burn, which makes it safer when compared to combustible space heaters. There are also various working principles in electrical space heaters. The most common of them are Convection space heaters and infrared space heaters.
Convection Heaters
Convection heaters are one of the most popular heaters of all time. The heaters consist of a natural convection system that helps the heaters to move the heated air around. Making the heater work more quietly.
Working Of Convection Heaters | The basics
Convection space heaters have a heating element Installed in them. It works on heating the air from the surrounding by pulling it near the heating element and then spreading it into the environment. The continuous process of extending the warm air in the environment increases the average temperature. The process will continue till the thermostat detects that the desired temperature has been reached. Fans mostly facilitate these types of heaters for the better spelling of the air into the room. Thermostats are essential tools for maintaining the temperature at the desiring range. When the thermostat detects that the temperature has gone below the desired range, it automatically turns the heater on. The main principle of a convection heater is to increase air temperature inside the room automatically.
Advantages Of Convection Heater
- Provide moderate heat throughout the room
- Helpful in raising the temperature of the whole room
- Provide consistent heating
- The heat can direct focus on specific areas.
Disadvantages Of Convection Heater
- They take more time to warm the room.
- Poor insulation may cause the heater to be ineffective.
Infrared Space Heaters
Infrared heaters are another exclusively designed space heater. Moreover, it is considered energy-efficient and passes on infrared radiation, thus giving off warm rays to the object that comes in contact.
Working Of Infrared Space Heaters
Infrared space heaters are often called radiant space heaters because of their working principles. These kinds of space heaters have a filament material, which can be a tungsten wire, carbon, or alloy of iron, aluminum, and chromium. These space heaters do not heat the air but instead spread infrared radiation, which is invisible to us and makes us warm directly. These types of space heaters heat the objects inside the room. Space heaters make them more efficient in rooms were heating the whole room is inefficient. They are best suitable for an office cabin or garage.
Advantages Of Infrared Heater
- cost-saving solution
- It can be used in poor insulation areas.
- The heating effect lasts longer even after shutting them off.
- Can be used as personal space heaters
Disadvantages Of Infrared Heater
- Obstacles easily block heating
- Do not heat the air
- No outdoor use
- Not suitable for a room with extra furniture.
Combustible Heater
The combustible heater is another excellent space heater type. The heater comes with the equipment that consumes the air of the environment to burn fuel and produce heat. Well, if you want to explore more specifically about the combustible heater working, we have decided.
Working Of Combustible Heaters
Combustible heaters are traditional types of space heaters that work on burning fuel and provide heat by the combustion of these materials. Combustible space heaters are available in the categories of vented or unvented, and they are extremely dangerous to use inside the house, especially with pets and children.
They are not recommended to use indoor environments. The unvented space heaters are extremely hazardous because of fire hazards and the toxic gas release due to the burning of fuel. Several states have already banned combustible space heaters for their accident rates, and many other states have regulated the use only to vented space heaters. Unvented space heaters have no way to release unwanted gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, etc. On the other hand, vented space heaters are permanently installed on the outside wall or in the ceiling, and they have a way to release these harmful gases outside the houses. They are comparatively safer options as compared to unvented space heaters but are still considered to be dangerous.
Advantages Of Combustible Heater
- Quick heating
- It can use outdoor with no electric supply
- Great for camping
Disadvantages Of Combustible Heater
- Dangerous in terms of fire and chemicals
- Vented space heaters are not portable
- Not exact temperature regulation
Safety Requirements For Space Heaters
Space heaters should not be taken as any other household electrical appliance. Instead, they should use extreme caution and adopt several precautionary measures. Also, when going to buy the space heaters, always ask for the product with maximum safety features such as tip-over protection, overheat protection, excellent touch surface, and automatic shut-off timer to increase the safety of your house and family. Also, when using the space heaters, make sure that:
- There is no fire-catching material near the space heaters as it can get hot and catch fire.
- No other appliance should plug in the socket where the space heater is plugged.
- The space heaters should be used away from the wall to have a good room for air circulation.
- Do not use the extension wires when using the space heater.
Conclusion
Space heaters are a simple and effective way to combat winter cold. Space heaters are simple to install, lightweight, portable, and incredibly cost-effective for both purchase and running costs. There are several space heaters, each with its design philosophy. They operate on different principles. It is critical to understand how a space heater works to understand the equipment you are acquiring and the benefits, drawbacks, operating costs, dangers, hazards, precautions, and safety from those hazards. Understanding how a space heater works may also aid in the simple repair, replacement, and cleaning of a space heater.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does A Heater Warm A Room?
Different types of space heaters work on other working principles. These principles include convection heating, radiation heating, and combustion heating.
Can We Leave A Space Heater Overnight Unattended?
Modern space heaters are equipped with many safety features that make them safe to use unattended. However, it is not recommended to use the space heater while sleeping and if you have to do that, make sure to run them on a timer.
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