Electric heaters are used to create comfortable temperature conditions in residential and technical premises. Electric heating devices are used both independently and in addition to the existing heating system.
Content
Types of electric heaters
All home heaters use the principle of converting electrical energy into heat. The following devices work on this principle:
- infrared heating systems;
- convective (convectors);
- quartz;
- heat guns (fan heaters);
- oil.
Each of these types has its own characteristics that determine the scope. Compared to others, electric heaters are economical and most efficient. They have many options for heating power, external design and design features.
infrared
Infrared heating systems are characterized by the fact that they do not directly heat the air. Heating is carried out by means of infrared radiation, which is captured by optically opaque materials. The heat is then transferred to the surrounding air (heat transfer process).
According to the principle of operation, infrared heaters are similar to the sun's rays, which also do not heat the air. But with an unsuccessful choice, such heaters can be compared with a fire, which heats only the side of the object directly facing it. This is typical when using low-power heaters in a large room.
In small rooms, infrared systems have the advantage that the instantaneous radiation heats all objects that are in the area of effect, and they simultaneously transfer heat to the surrounding air.
An economical heater becomes inefficient if the installation site is chosen incorrectly, when room furnishings are installed in the radiation path. Infrared heaters are not characterized by the highest efficiency, since part of the radiation is in the visible spectrum (yellow-orange light) and does not serve as a source of heat.
Convectors
Convectors work on the principle of creating a directional flow of warm air moving naturally through convection. The heating element with a ribbed surface for better heat dissipation is located inside the hollow body near the air intakes. The heated air, being lighter, rises and exits through the inclined slots. Cold air takes the place of warm air. This process continues continuously as long as the heater is connected to the mains.
Most designs are equipped with thermal sensors that control the temperature of the circulating air. When the set value is reached, the heating is turned off by the temperature sensor command.
Convector-type electric heaters are convenient in that they can be installed under windows in rooms, and then, due to the rising heated air, a screen is created that cuts off the flow of cold air from the windows.
The disadvantage is that the moving air carries dust with it. Convectors slowly warm up the area of the room, since the entire volume of air is involved in the heating.
Quartz
Quartz-type heaters include 2 heating systems. The first of these was discussed above, these are infrared heaters. Classical quartz heaters mean monolithic panels made of a special composition based on quartz, inside of which there is a resistive heating element.
Due to the fact that the heater is in direct contact with the body-radiating panel, such a device has a high efficiency, exceeding 90%. Heating occurs in two ways - due to the emission of infrared radiation by the panel and the convection of heated airthat received heat from contact with the panel.
Modern quartz-type heaters have a wide variety of external surfaces, which depend only on the manufacturer's imagination. On sale you can find quartz panels in the form of paintings that can serve as a design decoration for a room. A wall-mounted flat heater can always be organically fit into the interior.Many models provide electronic control of operating modes.
Heat guns
The principle of operation of a heat gun is to create a stream of air driven artificially through a heating element heated to a high temperature. As an element that heats the air, a nichrome spiral is used.
Household heaters have a fan speed control that allows you to change the speed of the air flow and adjust the heating coil.
With the help of heat guns, it is possible to heat a large room in a short time.
Big disadvantage of fan heaters - high air speedcarrying dust along with it. Dust, falling on a heated coil, contributes to the appearance of an unpleasant odor. A fan heater that has not been used for a long time has a lot of dust inside. When the power is turned on, the heating element heats up to a high temperature, as a result of which the dust can ignite, releasing harmful substances and serving as a fire source.
The heated spiral has a low mechanical strength and, when hit on the fan housing, can short-circuit several turns between each other. As a result, an internal short circuit can occur, which can overload the electrical network and cause a fire.
Oily
Oil heaters are safe to use because the heating element is placed in a container with mineral oil, which is an insulator and heat transfer medium. The heated oil, under the action of convection, rises to the top of the heater, giving off heat to its body.
For ease of use, oil heaters are equipped with several heating stages and an oil temperature sensor, which is manually set to the desired temperature. Designs have mechanical or electronic control.
Oil appliances are notable for such shortcomings as their heavy weight and massive body design, which does not fit into the interior of the room.
One of the features of this type of device is large inertia. A considerable amount of oil takes time to warm up to the required temperature. On the other hand, when the power is turned off, such a heater retains heat in the room for a long time.
plan
New type of heating elements - film infrared heating. The heating element consists of high resistance resistive type strips placed between layers of strong transparent polyester film. The back side of the heating element is covered with a layer of aluminum foil, which is a reflector of infrared rays.
PLEN heating refers to infrared heating systems, but is characterized by a low temperature of the working surface - no more than + 50 ° C. This temperature is safe in terms of fire and results in invisible infrared radiation in the wavelength range of 8-10 microns. Such radiation is capable of penetrating through thin surfaces. Therefore, PLEN heaters are conveniently placed in stretch ceilings.
Radiation directed downwards heats the floor surface to a comfortable temperature of +24…+25°С. At the level of human growth, the air temperature in a heated room is + 18 ... + 19 ° С, which is the optimal value.
We consider profitability
Any economic electric heaters are able to work with the best efficiency only with the right type selected in relation to the requirements. So for zonal heating of areas of the room, infrared heaters will be more effective. For complete heating of small rooms, convectors or quartz or oil heaters are better suited. The rapid spread of heat can be achieved with a heat gun.
When choosing, you must also take into account the cost of structures. The most economical heater with rare use may not justify its cost. Therefore, in the calculations of efficiency, one should take into account the hourly operating time of the device, the electrical energy consumed by it during this time and the heating efficiency.
A small rating of economical models
Among the variety of household appliances, it is difficult to unambiguously determine the best heaters. If we start from economy, then the most appropriate is the use of PLEN systems. Somewhat less efficient are quartz panels and infrared heaters. Heat guns are also quite effective, but their use is complicated by the fact that when warming up the room in the shortest period of time, high-power devices at this time consume a large current.
The most efficient devices are more expensive. This pays off over time with their cost-effectiveness, efficiency and consumer qualities. Electric heaters are the most environmentally friendly among their counterparts.
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