A heater is a device that warms the air in your home or work space. They can be either gas or electric.
Electric heaters use electricity to heat up heating coils. This warmth is then blown into the room when it’s turned on.
Electric heaters are cheaper to run than gas ones. However, it is important to look at the heat output and efficiency rating.
Heater Types
There are a number of different heater types available, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Electric heaters, for example, have a high efficiency rating and are more environmentally friendly than other heating sources. In addition, they are easy to install and offer great flexibility in terms of thermostat control. Kerosene heaters, on the other hand, provide a good source of supplemental heat for homes without access to natural gas or propane. They are also very portable and can be used as emergency heaters if the electricity fails. However, kerosene heaters pose some health and safety risks and are therefore banned in certain states.
Electric Heaters
Electric heaters generate radiant heat with a flat panel emitter, flexible heating element, or tubular element. The element glows red hot when an electric current passes through it. It converts electrical energy into heat, using Joule’s law of thermal conduction. These units are used in home and commercial applications, such as food service equipment, guidance systems, gyroscopes, incubators, and heated presses.
An easy-to-use LED display and control panel let you select settings via a simple dial, including eco mode and 24-hour timer. The unit can also oscillate and has a tip-over switch for safety. It doesn’t have a remote or smart features, however.
The high efficiency and low running costs of this model make it an excellent choice for smaller homes. It can take longer than other models to warm up a room, though. It also uses more electricity to operate, which can affect your energy bills over time. If you’re concerned about this, look for a model with 24/7 programming and an accurate digital thermostat.
Gas Heaters
Gas heaters utilize natural gas or LPG to provide powerful heating at a lower cost and less energy consumption than electrical devices. They also produce less CO2 than electricity generated from fossil fuels so they are better for the environment.
They warm the air by using a flame to heat up the heat exchanger and then convection spreads that warmth throughout the space. This type of heating is perfect for spaces like garages and sheds because they can be installed outside of the house where venting would be difficult.
Unlike electric heaters, gas heaters typically don’t experience power surge issues and can keep warming the space even during a power outage. However, they do require proper venting to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning so it’s important to have them serviced regularly. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can mimic the flu or food poisoning and can lead to death in severe cases. If a heater is making you sick, turn it off immediately and open windows until the room can be safely ventilated.
Furnace
The furnace uses natural gas or propane to warm air, which is then transported through ducts throughout the home or business. A typical furnace includes a blower, combustion chamber, flue vent connector, and air ducts to transport the hot air.
A furnace is typically built with one of six types of burners, which produce flames that are shaped and sized to match the specific heating requirements of the furnace. Some burners have convex shapes to avoid impingement and to increase direct radiation, while others are shaped to be more circular to reduce flame velocity and to maximize indirect radiation.
A newer furnace is likely to be more efficient than an older model, which will cut down on your energy costs. Additionally, a high-efficiency furnace will add value to your Franklin area home if you decide to sell in the future. Newer models also tend to operate much more quietly than older furnaces. This can be a real benefit for those who live in apartments or condos where noise is a major concern.
