Radiant vs. Space Heater!

There are two major types when it comes to heating, radiant heating and space heating! Both methods are so popular for residential use, commercial use and even for industrial use! So, which is the best one of them? Well, each type has pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages).

Radiant heaters

Mostly, they are typically designed to supply directly the amount of heat to floor or panels of (ceiling or wall). The performance is so influenced by the large or width of radiant heat transfer: the distribution of the heat will be directly directed from the hot surface to the objects (people) through the radiation heat transfer principle (familiar also known as infrared-heating radiation). The warmth effect that we can feel is distributed with radiant heating principle. And you might also be familiar with radiant floor heating! It is radiant heating that is positioned in the floor.

Benefits:

1. The heating system works relatively more efficient (with directly heating performance, there is almost no energy losses directly due to poor duct-working mechanism), especially if we compare to forced-air systems and baseboard heating systems.
2. The system involves less moving air mechanism (especially if you choose to use hydronic systems), therefore will be welcome idea for anyone with severe allergies.
3. And more quickly heating performance.
4. Read more benefits (pros) of radiant heaters!

In addition, hydronic heating systems also can be powered by solar water heating system (eco-friendly technology), oil-fired boiler, gas-fired boiler, wood-fired boiler and so on. Then you should completely understand that radiant panels installed in the ceiling or wall is significant different if compared to the radiant floor heaters. And you may feel less warm if the distance between you and the heater is too far.

Space heaters

As the name implies, they are typically designed to heat the surrounding air of the object first before heating the object. Therefore they are slightly slower than the directly heating performance of radiant heaters. Moreover, there is more moving air mechanism that will be not too good idea for anyone who suffers allergies.

But they are usually relatively more powerful, and even you can feel warmth on the any spot as long as you in the room. They are so recommended for any rooms that have a high occupancy!

Safety checklists on using space heaters:

1. What is the safest or ideal distance between the unit and any combustible materials (such as furniture, curtain, etc)? The answer is at least 3 feet or more for better safety.
2. Buy the space heating units that are only labeled or certified by nationally authorized testing company!
3. Avoid using extension cord for better safety! But if there is no choice, make sure the extension cord that you want to use is heavy duty cord! Consider also the power rating of the extension cord; make sure it is at least as high as the specification of your unit!
4. Avoid leaving your unit unintended! Turn it off while you want to go to sleep.
5. For all combustion space heaters, avoid using unvented units for better safety!
6. And don’t ever try to locate or use them for heating a bathroom.

More tags: