In the market of electrical appliances there are a huge number of variants of equipment designed to solve a particular domestic issue. In this sense, the family of devices for organizing local heating is no exception. If you need to warm the room in the absence of a centralized heating system, you can turn to the help of a household appliance. But which one to choose? Currently, infrared heaters and electric convectors are in the greatest demand in this class of equipment. Which device is preferable in each specific situation?
The principle of operation of an infrared heater is based on the distribution of thermal energy through radiation. Thanks to this principle, the sun transfers heat through millions of kilometers to the Earth, heating its surface to temperatures sufficient to sustain life on the planet. In the same way, an infrared heater directs its rays coming from an internal source to objects and surfaces, causing them to heat up, while the temperature of the air through which infrared radiation passes does not change. It rises only directly from objects heated by radiation.
The device consists of the following main components:
- emitter, which can be a halogen, quartz or carbon lamp;
- a metal reflector or reflector made of steel or aluminum;
- a housing made of heat-resistant material, in which a temperature sensor and a control device are mounted.
REFERENCE! The emitter lamp is heated by electric current. In halogen heaters, radiation occurs both in the visible and in the infrared range of the spectrum, while quartz and carbon models work invisibly to the human eye. They are slightly more expensive than halogen ones.
The radiation generated by the lamp and amplified by the reflector is directed to the area requiring heating. The surface and objects on which the rays fall, take the energy of the device, heat up and subsequently transfer heat to the environment.
The principle of operation of an infrared heater is radically different from a convector. The latter does not heat objects, but the air of the room in which it is installed. This is due to the free circulation of air - convection generated by an electric device: cold air, concentrating in the area of the floor, enters the convector through the slots in the lower part of the body, heats up inside it when it comes in contact with heating elements and rises naturally, because the density warm gas is lower than cold.
Giving heat to the surrounding air, the heated stream is gradually cooled, heavier and lower, after which it again enters the device. Thus, there is a gradual cycle of air masses and an increase in room temperature. The device transfers heat only to those objects that are in close proximity to its body. The rest of the room is heated more or less evenly.
To determine which of the two types of heaters is better, you need to decide on the comparison criteria. As criteria, it is proposed to take such characteristics as:
- speed and quality of heating;
- safety and environmental friendliness of devices;
- profitability in work.
Speed and quality of heating
Infrared heater is a directional device. If you want to heat a certain zone (warm yourself), it is enough to direct the radiation there (to be in its direction) - the effect will not take long to wait. In this case, the entire room will warm up more slowly and not as evenly as during convection.
The convector, if properly positioned to promote natural air circulation, will heat the entire room faster and more evenly, but it cannot be focused in a certain direction. You can only install in an area that requires an early increase in temperature.
On the other hand, the microclimate from heating by an infrared unit is not subject to deterioration, since the device has practically no effect on air humidity, which is so important for human breathing. The convector, although it does not make the air completely dry, nevertheless slightly reduces humidity.
Summing up, we can say that the emitter works more focally and carefully with respect to the environment, in it you can adjust not only the temperature, but also the direction of its distribution, and the convector as a whole heats the room faster, more evenly, but does some damage to the microclimate in part humidity.
Safety and environmental friendliness
We can confidently say that both types of devices have a high degree of safety. They are protected against internal overheating and overturning by an emergency shutdown system. However, there are limitations when installing an infrared heater near objects, as well as prolonged exposure of a person to the radiation path. This can lead to poor health, the formation of skin burns, like sun, and even damage to the retina. Therefore, emitters cannot be used for a long time and left unattended.
Thermal convectors are less demanding and safer in this regard. With regard to environmental friendliness, they are somewhat inferior to infrared competitors, because during the convection process they involve dust particles in the circulation, and, as was said, have an effect on humidity.
ATTENTION! Both types of devices are capable of emitting an unpleasant odor associated with the burning of dust when it comes in contact with a heating element. For the former, this is due to the principle of operation — convection, and for the latter — prolonged exposure and accumulation of dust in the vicinity of the heating elements.
There is also no leader here in terms of noise, because the devices being compared are quiet.
Profitability
Both the one and the other heating device have high energy efficiency compared to other electric heaters. We can say that in a sense, the emitter is more economical than its “rival," because it heats up the zone in which it is directed faster. If we talk about the need to heat the whole room, then the picture will be the opposite.
When choosing a device, you must first be guided by the task. Infrared heaters have no competitors, if you want to arrange a thermal curtain or spot heating of any area. They are also more efficient to use in rooms with drafts.
If we are talking about a room in which there is no drafts and you need to maintain a constant temperature for a long time, you can safely opt for a convection device.
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