Radiative heaters[edit]

Infrared radiant heater, made byHoneywell

See also: Infrared heater

The main advantage of radiative heaters is that the infrared radiation they produce is absorbed
directly by clothing and skin, without first heating the air in the space. This makes them suitable
for warming people in poorly insulated rooms, or even outdoors.
Some of the earliest electric heaters were radiative, consisting of Nichrome heating wires held
by ceramic or mica insulation at the focal point of a (usually) polished metal reflector. The cost
was very low since nothing else, not even a switch, was needed. Later models included a wire
guard preventing accidental contact with the heating wires or the hot ceramic.
However the metal reflectors needed to be fairly heavy gauge, and if the size was reduced then
the metal housing would get too hot to be safe. In the mid-20th century the cheapest heaters
were radiative, but with the heating wires stretched relatively closely across a larger thin metal
reflector separated from a thin metal housing. A small fan blew just enough air between the
housing and the reflector to cool them; the main output to the room was the radiative heat and
not the heated air. Having the heating wires stretched across a larger area meant that fewer
expensive ceramic insulators were needed, and the small fan was cheaper than a larger or
heavier housing.
Quartz heaters are radiative heaters which were more efficient, in the amount and directionality
of heating, by using coiled heating wire inside unsealed quartz tubing. The wires could thus
operate at a higher temperature than practical with ceramic-supported wires or be thinner. If the
heating elements were at a higher temperature, then proportionally more energy was radiated
compared to open-wire heaters.
Halogen heaters comprise tungsten filaments in sealed quartz envelopes, mounted in front of a
metal reflector in a plastic case. They operate at a higher temperature thanNichrome wire
heaters but not as high as incandescent light bulbs, radiating primarily in the infrared spectrum.
They convert up to 86% of their input power to radiant energy, losing the remainder to conductive
and convective heat.[4] The halogen cycle reduces the darkening of the quartz envelope and
lengthens the life of the filament.

Power sources[edit]
Many of these space heaters, including those of oil-filled radiators and natural stone heaters, are
plugged into an electric power source, most commonly a mains outlet. The power ratings of
appliances are measured in kW, which allows an easy estimation of operation cost per hour, as
energy is billed in kWh.

Safety issues[edit]

A Goldair ceramic heater, a Breville Group brand

The two primary health risks from heaters are the risk of fire and the risk of carbon monoxide
poisoning. The latter risk applies to gas and kerosene heaters but not electric heaters. The risk of
fire from heaters may be mitigated by low surface temperatures (as found on oil-filled convective
heaters), or by switches that cut power in the event of the device inadvertently being tipped over
(often found in the bases of halogen heaters), or by thermal cut-out switches. Natural Stone
Heaters do not pose a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning risk, and can be a safer alternative.
However, the surface temperatures of the stone heaters can be considerable, though they may
not cause an instant burn as the heat transfer is slow. For that reason they are usually mounted
high on walls or ceilings, away from the reach of infants.
Within the United States, Underwriters Laboratories maintains standards UL 1278[5] for portable
electric space heaters, and UL 1042[6] for portable and fixed baseboard electric heaters.
The General Services Administration used to maintain Specification W-H-193[7] for electric space
heaters, but this was cancelled in 1995 in favor of the UL standards. Additional information on
portable heater safety may be found at theDepartment of Energy Energy Efficiency website.
[8]

Also, the "EPA does not currently label space heaters as an ENERGY STAR qualified

product...".[9]

See also[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Space
heaters.

Central heating

District heating

Electric heating

Solar combisystem