What is a convection heater? It helps provide the entire room with heat. It may take a while before a whole room heats up thoroughly.
However, the warmth it produces may last long, suitable for places where people stay for a long time. These places include factories, offices, homes, and warehouses. T
he convection heater is like any other heater type with unique features, suitable for particular applications. So, let’s read further about what the convection heater offers and how it works, and if it is safe when used. Let’s understand as well the advantages and disadvantages of the convection heater. Without further ado, let’s start!
The Basics of Convection Heater
The convection heater works as it utilizes convection currents. But then, there are different convection heater types out there. Each has other heating elements, energy sources, efficiency, and external and internal features.
#1. How it works
The convection heater uses air, unlike the radiant heater using electromagnetic waves transmitting heat. The process requires convection currents to move to the body of the heater and in the entire heating element, and the heat transfers to the air around, resulting in heated air expanding and rising. Hot air has a lower density than cool air, which is one of the essential concepts in convection heating.
The air heated rises, and air temperature displaces in a room. The cool air gets in contact with a convection heater and heats it. The process repeats wherein the hot air rises and the temperature air inside a room displaces the device. Then, the cycle repeats until turning the device off, either manually or automatically, if the device features this one. The automatic convection heater shuts off after reaching the intended room temperature. Some convection heaters with fans help speed up the drawing process of cool air and the heated air circulating.
#2. The heat sources
The convection heater comes in combustion and electric models. The electric models regard electricity as its heat source, and the combustion models consider gas, fuel type, or propane. Other models incorporate the thermal mass like the night storage heaters and oil heaters. The majority of models today feature nickel-chromium type of resistance wire, metal coils, ceramic, and thermal liquid in the heating element.
#3. Safety
A lot of fire incidents began with the use of heaters. The danger does not come in the heater but the nearness of explosive objects in the device. The flammable things such as carpets, combustible liquids, and curtains must be far from the heater. The rule is that with a bigger heater, the clearance of the explosive objects is also larger. Some convection heaters involving gas burning are not suitable for prolonged indoor use. The heaters that operate on gas, oxygen, and emit carbon monoxide affect indoor air quality. Hazardous carbon monoxide levels result in poisoning leading to nausea, dizziness, and health problems. Stay safe as you install carbon monoxide detectors.
With a reliable heater coming from a manufacturer, become mindful of safety precautions. The first step is to read the heater’s manual carefully. Follow the essential specifications such as the appropriate installation, voltage, and maintenance procedures. Follow these steps religiously and carefully to protect you, your family, and your colleagues. Moreover, some of the modern convection heaters have a tilt sensor. If you accidentally knock it off or place it in an unstable position, the sensor automatically stops the device from working, thus preventing fire.
Energy And Efficiency Use Of Convection Heater
What is a convection heater? A convection heater is regarded as among the most efficient heater types for heating an entire room. It heats the air gradually, which you can feel as you turn it on. The air heats while other heaters such as infrared or radiant heaters work differently. It directly heats the objects next to them. After turning off the convection heater, you’ll begin feeling the heat sustained for a specific time. Look for the title ENERGY STAR®. Search for the label if you want to get huge savings from it.
Take note that the energy-efficient components of your heater are not enough to lower the total electric consumption. The higher the power rating of the heater in watts, the higher the cost it requires to operate. In this case, beware of the heater’s power rating and the length of use. Suppose you need to use a convection heater for outdoor and indoor use; in that case, it is wiser to use an electric convection heater considering the former and a gas convection heater considering the latter. You may also be interested to know about convection heating vs radiant heating.
It’s A Wrap!
Now you learn what is a convection heater useful as it provides heat in the entire room. You also discovered the basics, works, heat sources, and safety. Regarding the energy and efficiency use of the convection heater, it is the most efficient heater type to heat an entire room. It’s up to you to use a convection heater for outdoor and indoor use. The impressive thing about the device is that it gives a sustained feeling of heat for a time. So, don’t think twice about using it for your convenience and your family members. Don’t hesitate to know these things too; read about why won’t my heater turn on and how to warm up a room without a heater.